Happy 2010

I get a lot of traffic through this website and I get a number of emails from well wishers and from people who ask my advice. I wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2010! For me, personally, 2009 has been a rollercoaster year – so many highs and lows which I’ve never experienced before. It’s been a year of finding myself too through these experiences - looking within – a true road of self-discovery. I’ve always been a person happy in my own skin, strong, confident, independent and 2009 has enforced this given the hurdles I’ve faced. Yes, I’m a stronger, happier person. Didn’t think this was possible, but there you have it. Never let anyone crush your spirit – rise, and become a stronger person. We are all aware of that saying: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” – well, it’s true! Love, peace and happiness to all of you!

Vitamin D – a crucial vitamin

Research keeps unearthing one find after another that cites vitamin D deficiency as a major culprit in disease development.  New studies show that vitamin D is important to proper brain development, and that a lack of this vitamin may be a contributing factor in causing schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and depression.  Calcium and magnesium deficiencies often accompany vitamin D deficiency and are associated with seizures in infants and degenerative neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s in adults. 

The good news is that vitamin D:

• Relieves the symptoms of seasonal depression;
• Plays a critical role in slowing or preventing many types of arthritis;
• Reduces the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes;
• Improves the release of insulin and response of muscle and liver to insulin, which means that normal levels of vitamin D may help prevent diabetes;
• Helps the development of healthy immune system during childhood; and
• Plays a key role in regulating cell growth and differentiation which may prevent cancer.

The Importance of Vitamin D

Your brain is first in line to detect the early symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in the form of severe fatigue. Initially, you feel exhausted most of the time in late winter – the medical term for this is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

However, how do we know that we’re suffering from full-blown SAD as opposed to just feeling a little down, or blue? We can tell by two significant changes: reluctance to do any kind of physical activity, and a lack of enjoyment when we do things which used to please us.

A deflated attitude towards things is the first red flag (medical term: psychomotor retardation). The second re flag is a downward spiral in our general happiness level; the things we used to enjoy doing now simply sound like too much work (anhedonia) and in some people can go on for years.

Serotonin deficiency causes depression. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (brain messenger) that affects our sense of well-being and too little of it can make us feel depressed. We need sufficient serotonin to handle stress well effectively and to feel content.

Vitamin D deficiency affects our mood in a big way. The longer the winter, the more pronounced the seasonal variations in serotonin production.

Research tells us that a lack of Vitamin D makes us ache. Symptoms that point to vitamin D deficiency are muscle spasms, bone and joint pain. When Mayo Clinic researchers looked at vitamin D levels of patients who had unexplained widespread, long-term, musculoskeletal pain, they found that 90% had vitamin D deficiency. When these people took regular vitamin D and calcium supplements the result was a dramatic resolution of their pain, fatigue and muscle cramps.

Similarly, Dr Al Faraj at Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, Saudi Arabia, discovered vitamin D deficiency in 83% of several hundred patients who had chronic back pain for more than six months without a diagnosis. When he normalised the vitamin D of those with low vitamin D levels, the back pain resolved in all of them.

Vitamin D is an overlooked and underestimated vitamin, and is implicated in a variety of disorders.

(This information has been taken from The Vitamin D Cure by James E. Dowd, MD)

From Belly Fat to Belly Flat

It’s a common problem when you hit 30 that despite your best efforts you just can’t seem to lose the extra weight around your middle.  Medical research proves you’re not alone – the average person gains one to two pounds a year after the age of 30, usually around the stomach area. 

Hormone imbalance spejcialst, Dr C W Randolph’s book ‘From Belly Fat to Belly Flat’  explains the real reason behind this problem which has less to do with calories and everything to do with a little-known medical problem known as ‘oestrogen dominance’. 

Readers of my blogs will know that I’m an advocate of natural progesterone – an essential hormone for both men and women – fostering a calming effect on the body; maintaining libido; serving as a natural antidepressant; promoting regular sleep patterns; stimulating bone building and opposing oestrogen’s predisposition to promote cell growth, thereby providing protection from uterine, breast and ovarian cancer.

If you want to know more about progesterone and, particularly, its effect on weight gain and how to lose that belly flab then check out Dr Radolph’s book: ‘From Belly Fat to Belly Flab’ by Dr C W Randolph and Genie James

Prostate cancer

Although the conventional prostate cancer treatments of chemotherapy and surgery are well known, there is a more natural and benign approach to the problem.  Hormone imbalances induced by environmental toxins, especially the ‘xeno-oestrogens’, are thought by some authorities to be a major contributor to prostate problems.  Progesterone and prostate problems are linked through the action of oestrongen.  Natural progesterone is a powerful antagonist to these chemical poisons and as such can be viewed as one of the more important prostate cancer treatments. 

The symptoms of prostate diseases are:

• enlargement
• smaller urethras
• inflammation
• increased frequency of urination
• cellular changes leading to cancer

In many cases these changes can be linked to a rise in oestrogen and di-hydrotestosterone and a drop in testosterone.  The rise in oestrogen also causes fatty tissues to be deposited in men’s breasts and a reduction in facial hair.  High levels of di-hydrotestosterone have been linked to prostate enlargement and cancer.

Progesterone is vital for men’s health as it is for women’s!  Approximately 5 to 15mg of this hormone is made on a continuous daily basis in the testes, which convert it into testosterone and other hormones, including oestrogen.

As progesterone protects men against excessive oestrogen, particularly the xeno-oestrogens and di-hydrotestosterone, some researchers believe that the drop in progesterone levels associated with aging combined with the rise in environmental oestrogen is causing the alarming increasing in these problems.

The lack of progesterone and prostate problems is interrelated and is supported by the fact that the prevention and control of these diseases has been assisted in many cases by the use of supplemental progesterone administered as a skin cream.

There is substantial anecdotal evidence indicating that as little as 20mg/day is sufficient to reduce an enlarged prostate to normal.  Some cases of prostate cancer have also responded to progesterone.  As it is safe, with no toxic side effects, it is being used increasingly often as an alternative to other prostate cancer treatments.

The following nutritional guidelines have proven beneficial in assisting the fight against this disease:

• Omega 3 
• Zinc
• Saw Palmetto
• Anti-oxidants especially: Vitamins E, C, A
• Selenium

Soil Depletion and Nutrient Deficiencies

The 21^st century has probably seen more pollution than ever before and certainly less available nutrition from food. Food supply in contemporary society, when moving from farm to market, is often depleted of essential antioxidants, vitamins and minerals occurring from modern agricultural practices, processes, handling, shipping and storage, that make truly ‘fresh’ food rarely available.

 Soil is simply not what is used to be.  According to the 1992 Earth Summit  the USA has the worst soil in the world: 85% depleted, showing that the potency of food supply is not able to sustain optimum health.  One reason for soil depletion is the result of corporate farming methods. Historically, soil rotation has been essential in keeping the soil from becoming an inhospitable environment.  Today, the required soil maintenance is not carried out (Nugent 2005, The Missing Nutrients).   Instead, farmers simply add three nutrients to the soil: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, and sometimes calcium (Nugent 2005, p2).  Thus, the quality of food has changed.  A US Senate document published in 1936 stated: ‘The alarming fact is that foods now being raised on millions of acres of land that no longer contain enough of certain minerals are starving us.  No matter how much of them we eat, no man today can eat enough fruits and vegetables to supply his system with the minerals he requires for perfect health…” (Nugent 2005, p3).

Before farming was developed, hunter-gatherers ate a wide variety of freshly picked, unprocessed foods.  These wild foods were nutrient-dense, growing in mineral-rich soil which did not suffer the nutrient losses caused by cooking and modern processing.

Supporting evidence comes from a study by Berger (cited in Nugent 2005, p3) which compiled data from a variety of sources to show the decline in mineral and vitamin content of fruit and vegetables between 1914, 1963 and 1992. The table below shows the extent of mineral loss from a variety of different fruits and vegetables from the years 1963 to 1992.

Mineral	Average % of Change
Calcium	-29.82
Iron	-32.00
Magnesium	-21.08
Phosphorus	-11.09
Potassium	-6.48

(Source: Nugent 2005, p3)

To compound this problem, food, in many cases, is harvested green to obtain longer shelf life, yet only fully ripened foods can provide the full nutritional potential from the phytochemicals they were designed to yield (Nugent 2005, p4). Added to this equation are the toxins and pesticides that foods are sprayed with and the antibiotics and hormones that commercially raised livestock is subjected to.  

It can be argued that toxins and nutritional deficiencies contribute to the modern-day stresses the cells of the body already have to deal with.  To illustrate this point, research studies have shown that the immune system (over the past 15 years) has lost over 25% of natural NK cell function due to toxins, viruses and daily stressors, and that NK cell activity increases by 50% after glyconutritional supplementation in healthy individuals and by 400% amongst chronic fatigue individuals (See, Khemka, Sahl, Bui and Tilles 1997, p217).

Given the above information, there are many who believe that a so-called balanced diet is no longer adequate – that food supplements are no longer a luxury but a necessity (Nugent 2005, p11). 

The above is an extract from my dissertation ‘What is the evidence for glyconutrients? The concepts and theories behind glyconutrition and glyconutrient supplementation’. I received a BSc First Class Honours in Complementary Health Sciences.

Stress – the silent killer

Stress is different to pressure.  Cary Cooper, Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health (Lancaster University) states:  ’Pressure is motivating but stress is when the pressure exceeds your ability to cope’.  1 in 5 people suffer from work-related stress; if we add to this equation the pressure of home and social life, then it’s not surprising many of us are pushed to the limit.

When we get stressed, the hormone, adrenaline is released and so causes other hormones, namely, noradrenaline and cortisol to be released.  These three hormones together divert resources to the parts of the body which are needed most – this is the ‘fight or flight’ response.  The problem is that in the 21st Century we’re not hunting for our food, we are not dealing with the odd sabre-tooth tiger attack we are dealing with sitting in traffic jams, dealing with bad news, work and family problems, but our bodies do not recognise the difference: stress is stress.  This means we are constantly being exposed to a level stream of stress chemicals but there is nowhere for them to go when we’re sitting anxiously in a traffic jam – there is no release for these toxic chemicals!

Typical signs of stress include: lack of concentration, IBS and digestive problems, frequent colds and flu, tiredness, heart disease and even cancer.

If you can, identify what’s causing you stress.  Exercise is a very good way of reducing stress levels and the best thing you can do for your health.   Zinc and the B-complex vitamins are also very good for combating the effects of stress.  Ginseng is an adaptogen so it increases the body’s resistance to stress and Rhodiola can help improve focus and concentration under stressful conditions.

More on MSM

Scientific studies have shown MSM (Methyl-Sulphonyl-Methane) to be effective in the following:

Elevating cortisol levels thereby relieving the symptoms of mild Adrenal Insufficiency;

As a natural hormone balancer;

A powerful antioxidant – it aids in the production of glutathione (GSH), taurine, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and other detoxification enzymes;

Maintaining cell membrane permeability enabling the proper expulsion of all toxins from body cells thus allowing nutrients to enter for health and repair;

Normalising collagen formation;

Cleansing and purifying the blood, organs and body cells and tissues by means of binding itself to toxic waste, metals and chemicals, all of which are then excreted via the kidneys;

It coates the intestines so enabling the eradication of pathogens adhering to the intestinal lining and allowing repair wherever necessary.  Proper assimilation of dietary nutrients (particularly the B-group vitamins) and toxic elimination improves providing overall support to the possibly overburdened liver and kidneys and improving general health in the process.

A very interesting and important mineral overall and one which deserves further extensive research.

MSM

I’ve started to do some research into MSM (Methyl-Sulphonyl-Methane) and have discovered some very interesting facts to do with some of the issues I’ve discussed in my blogs. 

MSM is a naturally occuring sulphur compound and stable, odourless dietary metabolite of DMSO (Dimethyl Sulphoxide).  It is a vital compound found in the body’s tissues and fluids.  Interestingly, it is made naturally in the human body from the amino acids methionine, taurine and cysteine (the most potent antioxidant I know!) 

Sulphur is necessary for:

The formation of collagen, keratin and elastin (thereby helps to maintain the body’s physical structure and tissues and so maintaining their elasticity and flexibility); 

Maintaining cell membrane permeability (allowing cells to absorb nutrients and expel waste properly;

Playing a role in tissue healing and repair;

The essential formation of antibodies;

The energy production within body cells;

Overall, MSM is a very important mineral for healthy hair, skin, nails, organs, joints and blood vessels.

Dietary MSM is found in eggs, raw meats, seafood, some fresh vegetables and fruits and milk.  Processing of these products, of course, destroys or greatly reduces actual MSM content.  Therefore, generally speaking, the body will be sulphur deficient unless raw meat and fish and unwashed and uncooked vegetables are eaten on a daily basis. 

MSM levels in the body naturally decline with age so a combination of deficiency and decline are reported to result in symptoms of fatigue, tissue and organ malfunction, and an increase in susceptibility to disease.   To be effective therapeutically, MSM should be taken frequently, ideally, every day.  Research has shown a daily dosage of between 250mg and 2,000mg to be beneficial, but in severe cases of deficiency much higher doses have been used.

Universal Law of Attraction

I recently had a reflexology treatment from an extremely intuitive practitioner, who told me things about my personality that a stranger could not possibly know – it was fun and enlightening.  He recommended a book: Ask and it is Given.  To be honest, if I’d known the exact content of the book I probably wouldn’t have bought it, but buy it I did and although I may not agree with some of it, it really is a very interesting book.  Ask and it is Given (by Esther and Jerry Hicks) is about learning to manifest the law of attraction.  Here is an excerpt:

“By the powerful Universal Law of Attraction, you draw to you the essence of whatever you are predominantly thinking about.  So if you are predominantly thinking about the things that you desire, your life experience reflects those things.  And, in the same way, if you are predominantly thinking about what you do not want, your life experience reflects those things.”

According to the authors the way to achieve harmony with your desires is to imagine having those desires; pretend that it they are already in your experience, flow your thoughts toward the enjoyment of the experience, and as you practice those thoughts and feel the experience of having those desires, you will then be in a place to allow them into your life.

If you have an open mind, I would certainly recommend the book and let the practising and the manifestations begin!