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28/01/2011

Human bacteria and cancer

Human Bacteria In The Production Of Human Cancer
A Short Report With Photographic Evidence
© 2011 Alan Cantwell MD - All Rights Reserved
1-25-11
One of the most remarkable medical findings in the new 21st century is the recognition that 90% of the cells that make up our body are not human cells. On the contrary, most of our cells are the trillions of microbial cells (primarily bacteria) that inhabit our bodies and share our lives. According to microbiologist Brett Finlay: "We really are a superorganism. From the moment we are born until we die, we live in a symbiotic relationship with our microbes."

The National Institutes of Health has launched a $115-million Human Microbiome Project to identify, analyze and catalog the hundreds of microbial species residing in or on the human body. Modelled after the Human Genome Project, which decoded most of the human genes in the 1990s, the goal of the microbiome project is to determine which microbes are harmful and to figure out ways to prevent or treat diseases they cause.

"Pleomorphic" bacteria and human cancer

It is peculiar that the trillions of bacteria that are part of us do not appear in textbooks of histology (the microscopic study of normal tissue) and pathology. And there is no pathology textbook of cancer that illustrates bacteria in cancerous tissue. This is strange because bacteria, even with their small size, can be seen with a light microscope, unlike viruses which cannot be visualized microscopically due to their smaller size. If human bacteria were implicated in the production of human cancer, they would undoubtedly be visible microscopically in cancer tissue. This report suggests that bacteria are indeed implicated in cancer, and that they can be seen in cancerous tissue.

The idea that bacteria might be connected in some way to cancer was totally rejected a century ago by the medical establishment. Since that time any association between bacteria and cancer has been largely regarded as medical heresy. Nevertheless, a few foolhardy investigators (including myself) have continued to report on pleomorphic bacteria as a possible cause of cancer.

"Pleomorphism" means the ability of a microbe to exhibit more than one forms. For more than a half-century, bacteria associated with cancer have been described as having a "life cycle" comprised of virus-sized forms, filterable granules, larger granules the size of ordinary cocci, "globoidal forms," rod-like forms, much larger fungus-like forms, and other forms. To traditional microbiogists who believe in the "monomorphic" nature of bacteria, that is the ability of a microbe to reproduce by merely splitting in half, the idea of a cancer germ with a life cycle is considered anathema. Despite this tremendous controversy, the proposed microbiology of cancer cannot be understood without considering so-called pleomorphic bacteria. Highly recommended is microbiologist Milton Wainwright's "Extreme pleomorphism and the bacterial life cycle: A forgotten controversy," available on the Internet.

Despite the widespread rejection of the bacterial theory of cancer, Australian researchers Barry Marshall and Robert Warren discovered in 1982 that bacteria (now called Helicobacter pylori ) were frequently the cause of stomach inflammation (gastritis) and stomach ulcers. They were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2005 for this pioneering work. Ulcers can sometimes lead to stomach cancer; and doctors now accept H. pylori as a bona fide cause of this type of cancer. Prior to the acceptance of bacteria-caused ulcers and cancer, it was firmly believed that bacteria could not exist and thrive in the acid environment of the stomach. H. pylori can now be easily identified microscopically, provided a special stain (like a silver or a Giemsa stain) is applied to the stomach biopsy tissue. The microbe is pleomorphic, having both a spiral and a coccoid intracellular form.

Cancer bacteria research

Despite the general non-acceptance of a bacterial cause of cancer, there is a wealth of research dating back to the late nineteenth century on this subject. The most important contributions to the bacteriology of cancer were reported by a team of four women, beginning in the 1950s. These included physician Virginia Livingston, microbiologist Eleanor Alexander-Jackson, cell cytologist Irene Diller and biochemist and tuberculosis icon Florence Seibert.

Livingston's cancer work actually began in 1947 when she discovered tuberculosis-like acid-fast bacteria in a non-cancerous connective tissue disease called scleroderma, a systemic disease in which the skin hardens due to thickening and abnormalities of the collagen portion of the skin. This scleroderma research quickly led her and her co-workers into cancer research in which similar acid-fast bacteria were found and studied extensively over the next three decades. Livingston believed the cancer microbe was essentially a "connective tissue parasite." In scleroderma tissue the microbes are seen in their most naked form infiltrating the collagen fibers and bundles (Fig.6)

My mentors Livingston and Alexander-Jackson were the first to discover that bacteria could be detected in cancer biopsy material if a special "acid-fast" stain was applied to the tissue specimens. The women also realized that cancer bacteria survived in the body in the "cell wall deficient form", thus enabling these microbes to escape detection and/or eradication by the immune system. Such bacteria were derived from "ubiquitous bacteria" normally residing in all human beings.

Various researchers have reported the cancer germ as an intracellular and an extracellular parasite, meaning that the bacteria can be found both within and outside the cell. The shape of the bacteria is usually the round coccus-like form. These coccal forms vary in size from the size of ordinary staphylococci to extremely tiny granular forms barely visible with the light microscope. These forms in tissue are compatible with pleomorphic forms of cell wall deficient bacteria. Some CWD bacterial forms have the ability to pass through laboratory filters designed to hold back bacteria. Thus, some growth forms of cancer bacteria are virus-sized and submicroscopic. The relationship, if any, of these submicroscopic virus-like forms of CWD cancer bacteria to the "true" viruses has not been studied.

Cancer cytologist Irene Diller and her co-workers demonstrated that these intracellular bacteria could also be found within the nucleus of the cell. Seibert stressed that this was an extremely important finding because it indicated these bacteria could have access to the genetic information stored within the cell nucleus, thereby inducing cancerous cell changes via transfer of genetic information.

The appearance of bacteria in cancerous tissue

It is not possible to easily visualize cancer bacteria in the routine tissue stain (hematolylin-eosin stain) employed to diagnose cancer. (This was also the reason that stomach bacteria were never detected in ulcers and stomach cancer.) Although most physicians cringe at the idea of a "cancer microbe", such bacteria can be seen in cancerous tissue sections by using the highest magnification of the light microscope and oil immersion, as well as a suitable stain like the "acid-fast" stain. The acid-fast stain is a time-honored stain used to detect acid-fast (red-stained) forms of tuberculosis (Tb) bacteria.

In addition to the typical purple-stained or blue-stained intra and extracellular coccoid forms characteristic of the cancer microbe, one can occasionally encounter large bizarre forms of pleomorphic cell-wall-deficient bacteria in tissue sections. Such forms are known to microbiologists as "large bodies." They can attain the size of red blood cells and even larger. These may be the forms described in cancer tissue in the late nineteenth century by Scottish pathologist William Russell, who termed such elements as "the parasite of cancer." (For more details on "Russell bodies" and "large bodies" and their implications in the cancer process, see my internet article "The Russell body: The forgotten clue to the bacterial cause of cancer".)

A century ago microbiology was in its infancy and cell wall deficient bacteria and "large bodies" were unknown. But experts nevertheless totally discredited Russell's "parasites" as mere cellular degenerations of no great import. His so-called cancer parasites are now widely known by pathologists as "Russell bodies," who consider them as non-microbial in nature. The possibility that they could represent pleomorphic forms of bacteria is never considered. Various recent reports confirm the existence of a new pathologic condition of the stomach, associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and numerous Russell bodies and Russell body-containing plasma cells. The new entity is called "Russell body gastritis."

Physicians often argue that any bacteria associated with cancer are merely "secondary invaders"-bacteria which can easily proliferate in cancer-damaged tissue after the cancer has formed. However, a careful study of "pre-cancerous" lesions, such as sun-damaged skin, will reveal that the bacteria are present prior to the development of full-blown skin cancer. Additionally, a study of breast cancer tissue supposedly "clear" of cancer cells can show the presence of these bacteria in cancer-free tissue areas. One of my reported patients with Hodgkin's disease (lymphoma) was cured of his cancer, but the bacteria that were associated with his cancer were still present at autopsy, indicating that radiation does not kill human bacteria, although it can destroy cancer cells and eliminate cancer tumors. It is likely that these primordial bacteria that have grown side by side with human cells for eons will prove to be the hardiest life forms on earth, perhaps even achieving immortality.

The purpose of this brief report is to remind people interested in the cause of cancer that bacteria have been detected and reported in major forms of cancer, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, lung cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, as well as in certain other cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. Photos of this cancerous tissue (Figures 1-5) illustrate the appearance of bacteria encountered in acid-fast stained tissue sections. Figure 6 shows these coccoid forms most clearly in the dermis portion of skin in scleroderma, the disease which originally led to Virginia Livingston's discovery of the "cancer microbe." Whether bacteria can be demonstrated in every form of cancer and in every patient from whom cancerous tissue is available, is not known.


Figure 1: In center, intracellular round tightly-packed coccoid forms in breast cancer. Acid fast stain, magnification times 1000, in oil.


Figure 2. Intracellular coccoid forms in prostate cancer. Acid-fast stain, x1000, in oil.


Figure 3. Arrows point to extracellular coccoid forms in the dermis of the skin of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. In the insert are staphylococci cultured from the tumor. Acid-fast stain, x1000, in oil.


Figure 4. Arrows point to intracellular and extracellular coccoid forms in the lymph node showing Hodgkin's lymphoma. Acid-fast stain, x1000, in oil.


Figure 5. Intracellular tightly-packed coccoid forms in lung cancer at the edge of the tumor. Acid-fast stain, x1000, in oil.


Figure 6. "Naked" coccoid forms nestled between the collagen fibers of the skin of scleroderma. Acid-fast stain, x1000, in oil.


New developments in 21st century microbiology

The discovery of trillions of "human bacteria" should lead to renewed interest in their role as possible cancer-producing agents and agents of chronic disease. The Human Microbiome Project (HMP) is currently characterizing these communities of bacteria (called the "metagenome") and studying their collective influence on human development, physiology, immunity, and nutrition. As a result, new insights into the production of disease are beginning to emerge. Proal and co-workers (2009) in their study of bacteria in chronic autoimmune disease write: "As our knowledge of the genes associated with the disease states expands, we understand that humans must be viewed as superorganisms in which a plethora of bacterial genomes - a metagenome - work in tandem with our own." Some of the 90% of microbial cells in Homo sapiens create metabolites that interfere with the expression of genes associated with autoimmune disease.

More and more research suggests that bacteria share and exchange genes with one another in a process known as "horizontal transfer of genes." Can bacteria transfer their genes to human cells? Could transfer of bacterial genes to human cells induce cancerous change?

In this regard, Agrobacterium tumefasciens is a bacterium that produces tumors (crown gall) in plants by inserting a bit of its DNA into the plant cell. The Agrobacterium host range is not limited to the plant kingdom; the microbe has been shown to also transform many species of fungi and even prokaryotes (cells that lack a nucleus). The ability of Agrobacterium to genetically transform human-derived cancerous HeLa cells further widens the range of potential hosts of Agrobacterium to include humans and perhaps other animal species (Tzfira et al. 2006).

One of the century-old stumbling blocks causing widespread rejection of a bacterial cause of cancer has also been the inability of researchers to precisely identify the type and species of so-called cancer microbes. The intermittent acid-fastness of cancer bacteria suggests a close relationship to the mycobacteria, the most important species of which is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the cause of human Tb. However, in general, bacteria cultured from cancer are highly pleomorphic and are impossible to classify precisely. This is also consistent with CWD bacteria found universally in the blood of both healthy and diseased individuals. Such blood bacteria have been shown to be a hodge-podge of staphylococcal and streptococcal-like bacteria, as well as cocco-bacilli.

The inability to precisely characterize cancer germs is also in keeping with the current revolution in microbiologic thought regarding the classification of bacteria. In a recent essay in Nature, Goldenfeld and Woese (2007) state that the "emerging picture of microbes as gene-swapping collectives demands a revision of such concepts as organism, species and evolution itself. The available studies strongly indicate that microbes absorb and discard genes as needed, and in response to their environment. Rather than a discrete spectrum, we see a continuum of genomic possibilities, casting doubt on the validity of the fundamental concept of species, extended into the microbial realm. The lack of usefulness of the species concept is inherent in the recent forays into metagenomics."

Bacteria and "the cause of cancer"

If one googles "the cause of cancer", the American Cancer Society website provides a laundry list of well-accepted causes, including the most obvious: smoking, diet, radiation, excessive sun exposure, environmental carcinogens, inherited genetic abnormalities, to name only a few. Human bacteria of the kind discussed and illustrated in this report are nowhere on the list. This is because they are not taken seriously by the medical establishment. Like the bacteria in stomach ulcers that were unrecognized for a century, these bacteria comprise the best kept secret in medical science.

How could unrecognized bacteria cause cancer? All cancer-causing agents injure tissue and cells. Radiation, for example, can also transform the genetic structure of cells. And human bacteria could easily proliferate in damaged pre-cancerous tissue. In addition, inflammation has long been associated with cancer; and bacteria are frequently associated with inflammation. It seems reasonable to assume that the trillions of bacteria in our bodies could play some role in the abnormal tissue and cellular environment that precedes the development of cancer.

It is hoped that this communication will stimulate further thought, open mindedness, and investigation into the role of bacteria in human cancer. The century-old experience with undetected stomach bacteria indicates the dangers of dogmatism in medical thought. It is possible that a recognition of these primordial and human bacteria will lead to new ways to prevent and treat cancer by eliminating and/or lessening the proliferation of these microbes in diseased tissue.

The idea that "human bacteria" might play a role in cancer is both sobering and frightening. How do we restore healing when our own germs "act-up"? However, knowledge of these bacteria is essential if we are to deal with this reality. As Walt Kelly of Pogo fame once wrote: "We have met the enemy and he is us." Sobering indeed!

***

This communication is dedicated to the memory of Lucia Cabrera, R.N. [1968-2011], cancer victim.

Alan Cantwell is a retired dermatologist who has studied the microbiology of cancer for over 40 years. He is the author of "The Cancer Microbe" and "Four Women Against Cancer: Bacteria, Cancer, and the Origin of Life." His Internet writings can be found by Googling: alan cantwell articles. His scientific papers are recorded at the PubMed website (Key word: Cantwell AR). For a bibliography of cancer microbe research, email: alancantwell@sbcglobal.net.

26/01/2011

8 essential earth changes that can affect Life !

8 Strange Earth Changes That May Threaten Civilization

Activist Post
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
http://www.activistpost.com/2011/01/8-stra...s-that-may.html


Say what, two suns may be visible from Earth in 2012? Everyday we seem to be getting bombarded with warning signs that our planet is changing rapidly. In fact, many of the changes are occurring for the first time in modern recorded history and all seem to indicate a need for civilization to adapt.

Record-breaking heat and cold are striking all corners of the globe; earthquake activity has spiked, even in places thought not to have active fault lines; birds, bees, fish, and other animals are dropping dead with no coherent cause, and there is a flurry of talk about galactic anomalies beginning to happen.

Since the man-made global warming theory has simmered down from a boil, many other concerns have surfaced that appear to minimize possible effects of CO2 concentrations as our greatest concern. Sure, many of these changes may be connected in some way, but the idea that there is a silver bullet to stop this train of collective events is unlikely.

One thing we can say is that we live in very interesting times. These unprecedented events are accelerating at a blistering pace, as we hurl through space on this ball we call Earth. It seems this turbulent cycle is going to continue to manifest despite our best human efforts to stop it. The only thing we can hope to do is digest the available information and plan for the worst, while hoping for the best. Assuredly, humans possess a far greater ability to adapt through technology than the animal kingdom, yet we certainly can't thrive without protecting the entire biosphere.

Here are 8 strange Earth changes that should demand our attention:


1. Environmental collapse: The global environment has been in an exponential rate of degradation for some time. Our economic system can be likened to Pac-Man gobbling up everything in sight until it's game over, except that Pac-Man doesn't crap out waste like our economy does. Furthermore, we can't just put another quarter in the machine and hit the reset button. From the industrial-chemical agriculture business destroying soil, water, and wildlife on a mass scale, to over-fishing the oceans, the Gulf Oil Spill, chemical spraying, strip mining, gas fracking, water toxicity and the like; our entire habitat seems to be in critical need of healing if we expect to maintain life as a whole. Real environmentalists must wake up from their "Inconvenient" trance and realize there's much more to saving the ecosystem than simply reducing CO2 output.



2. Record tectonic activity: Many earthquake researchers have noted the demonstrable uptick in earthquake frequency and strength, with 2010 hitting record levels. The Chile quake rocked the planet, causing us to actually lose a fraction of the length of our year. This increased activity is precisely what was predicted by science researcher, Lawrence Joseph, who documented in his book Apocalypse 2012 that our entire solar system is traveling through an interstellar energy cloud, which would produce significant observable earth changes beginning in 2009. Renowned physicist, Michio Kaku, has recently warned that enormous earthquakes in our lifetime threaten the mega cities we have created, which only compounds the threat. In addition to galactic changes, there is mounting evidence that the human activity of industrial gas fracking -- particularly in Arkansas -- may have led to earthquake swarms in a region which is not normally active. Now we learn that FEMA is buying massive amounts of MREs, blankets, body bags, and other provisions in anticipation of potential catastrophe along the New Madrid Fault.


3. Magnetic Pole Shift: There is clear evidence throughout history of the magnetic poles wandering and even completely reversing. One of the many functions of Earth's magnetic field is to be a natural compass for animals that rely on it for navigation. A second function would be as a protective barrier against solar flares and space radiation. The news lately has been peppered with dead birds and fish, beached whales, bee colony collapse, and animals dropping dead everywhere for no discernible reason. Many theories have been put forward related to localized events, but the global nature of the overall die-off might better indicate an all-encompassing source like the shifting of the poles. An interesting article on SOTT also claims, "there is some correlation between magnetic reversals, ice ages, sea level drops and likely a whole host of other data indicative of catastrophic activity." There is no doubt that the north magnetic pole is moving rapidly toward Russia. The question is whether or not it will increase toward a cataclysmic event, or continue its path resulting in a wide variety of changes, such as recent airport runway closures, that will require humanity to adapt in more subtle ways.

4. Volcanic Activity: The recent alert of ground levels rising at Yellowstone, sitting atop one of the world's largest supervolcanoes, has bulged a full 10 inches over a section measured in miles is concerning. Along with earthquakes, volcanoes also have dramatically increased in activity. Throughout the Ring of Fire, dormant volcanoes have flared up, and others have increased their output. This is yet another indication of global earth changes, which may at the very least require large populations to relocate, and at worst could threaten civilization.

Aussie Floods

5. Extreme Weather: Tom Engelhardt recently wrote, "From now on, rising prices, powerful storms, severe droughts and floods, and other unexpected events are likely to play havoc with the fabric of global society." Engelhardt predicts that high prices for oil, as well as food shortages will surely lead to riots around the world. The extreme weather that has been increasingly ravaging the planet in the last few years is likely caused by one or more of the earth changes outlined in this list. However, the effects are one tangible sign that Earth's climate is shifting in some way. Droughts and floods are showing up in unusual places with more intensity, and unusually harsh arctic winters are pounding Europe, the United States, and elsewhere. If we accept these type of weather events to be the new norm, then civilization must at least adapt its food production methods and locations. We're already seeing a major toll on food prices, which may quickly become a global food crisis in 2011.

6. Weakening Ocean Currents: The Thermohaline Circulation (THC) system is the conveyor belt in the world's oceans that transfers heat from equatorial waters to cooler regions. Weakened or changing ocean currents are being blamed for the extreme cold weather in Europe and warm weather in Greenland. As dramatically shown in the movie The Day After Tomorrow when the North Atlantic Current breaks down, so does the global climate. Despite record heat spikes in the summers, some believe the longer and harsher winters due to changes in the ocean currents may result in a new ice age. This underestimated force is so powerful that even slight changes will force humanity to rediscover their nomadic traits.


7. Galactic Anomalies: Reports that the sun rose two days early in Greenland, and that two suns may be visible from earth in 2012 -- the same year as the end of the Mayan galactic calendar and the myth of an approaching planet in our binary solar system -- all seem to render grade-school Earth Science textbooks thoroughly obsolete. Many have speculated about the ramifications of approaching galactic events, but there are no accepted or overriding theories. However, there is a good chance that some physical effects will be felt on Earth if the force of gravity is altered from planetary alignments and/or approaching celestial objects. Keep your eye on the sky and a go-bag at the ready.

8. Solar Activity: It seems that the sun is still very unpredictable, but when she twitches, so do we. Although many have predicted that a severe solar maximum will peak in the next few years potentially causing blasts of electromagnetic radiation to disrupt major communication systems and perhaps elevate tectonic activity, NASA claims the sun's Great Conveyor Belt has slowed to a "walking pace" in 2006 claiming, “We’ve never seen speeds so low . . . the slowdown we see now means that Solar Cycle 25, peaking around the year 2022, could be one of the weakest in centuries." NASA also reported that the sun experienced a rapid pole reversal in 2001 stating, "Our star's magnetic field has flipped." NASA said that this occurrence is normal and expects another flip in 2012. Even though they claim it has no affect on Earth, the speed of our planet's pole shift has increased over the last decade.


There's no saying for sure what ramifications, if any, these anomalies will cause, but they should be investigated in a serious manner. The challenges facing humanity are difficult enough without constant deceptions and distractions. Collectively, we should demand clear answers about the real threats that are obviously beginning to affect our civilization. Adaptation will be much less painful if we are armed with knowledge and resources. The best thing we can do, individually, is to get educated and become as self-sufficient as possible.

Healthy good sleep

(NaturalNews) It is no secret that our society struggles with weight loss resistance. Researchers at John Hopkins University estimate that by the year 2015 over 75% of Americans will be overweight with a staggering 41% being obese. Many people claim the country's propensity to overeat and indulge on junk food on a lack of will power; however, science is now showing it may be related to our hormones. New research is showing that healthy sleep cycles have been shown to balance the hormones responsible for food cravings and overeating.

Ghrelin is a hormone that is produced by the stomach during times of famine. This hormone, isolated and named in 1999, stimulates hunger and digestive function. When we fast for several hours, our body begins to increase ghrelin production which interacts with the neurons in the metabolic control center of our hypothalamus, and we begin to feel hungry.

Leptin is a hormone secreted by our fat cells that interacts with the hypothalamus and creates feelings of satiety that shut down our hunger center. When we fast, ghrelin levels rise. When we eat, insulin and leptin levels rise and ghrelin levels drop. Higher levels of ghrelin have been associated with cravings for sugar-rich, calorie-dense junk food.

Many people go on calorie restricted diets in order to lose weight. However, calorie restriction leads to dramatic increases in ghrelin secretion. This results in uncontrollable hunger and eventual over-eating. This is the hormone responsible for the classic starvation-binge cycle that ruins so many weight loss pursuits. This is also why deprivation based weight loss programs have a very poor long-term success rate.

Sleep may be the Most Important Lifestyle Factor for Weight Loss. Researchers at Stanford University found that people who sleep 5 hours or less per night had a 15% greater amount of ghrelin and 15% less leptin than those who slept 8 hours a night. Another study showed that sleep deprived individuals had a significantly greater craving for carbohydrate rich junk food.

Leptin and ghrelin work as a check and balance system to control feelings of fullness & hunger. Poor sleep cycles drive leptin down and increase ghrelin. This drives the individual to have less satisfaction after eating and instead to crave more food leading to weight gain. Overtime the individual will become leptin resistant, which virtually shuts down the body's ability to effectively burn fat. The sleep hormone melatonin has been shown to help heal leptin receptors and restore normal leptin sensitivity, which is critical for healthy weight loss and fat burning mechanisms in the body. Sleep deprived individuals do not secrete enough melatonin to restore normal leptin function.

Sleeping has also been shown to enhance human growth hormone (HGH) secretion, which is our body's natural anti-aging hormone. HGH secretion switches our metabolism to burn fat, build muscle, & boost immunity. Elevated insulin levels are antagonistic to HGH. Therefore, eating food (particularly carbohydrate rich food) before we sleep at night is detrimental to our efforts to effectively burn fat.

Keys to a Good Night Sleep:
1) Do not eat within 3 hours of sleep
2) Eat low carbohydrate meals throughout the day and particularly at night.
3) Keep your bedroom cool (around 70 degrees F)
4)Light inhibits melatonin secretion so keep your bedroom as dark as possible.
5) If you must eat before bed - have good fat/protein such as a shake with coconut milk, almond butter, cinnamon, & stevia.
6)Regular movement throughout the day helps burn off metabolic waste in muscles and cells allowing the body to relax more effectively.
7)Avoid caffeine and stimulants after 3pm

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry...
http://www.natural-weight-loss-myth...
http://www.vrp.com/weight-managemen...
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS...




Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/031101_sleep_hormones.html#ixzz1C6ZLRM9t

24/01/2011

Health benefits of Dandelions

Health Benefits of Dandelions

2011 01 17
By Peter Gail
http://www.leaflady.org/health_benefits_of_dandelions.htm

Suppose your doctor tells you, on your next visit, that he has just discovered a miracle drug which, when eaten as a part of your daily diet or taken as a beverage, could, depending on the peculiarities of your body chemistry: prevent or cure liver diseases, such as hepatitis or jaundice; act as a tonic and gentle diuretic to purify your blood, cleanse your system, dissolve kidney stones, and otherwise improve gastro-intestinal health; assist in weight reduction; cleanse your skin and eliminate acne; improve your bowel function, working equally well to relieve both constipation and diarrhea; prevent or lower high blood pressure; prevent or cure anemia; lower your serum cholesterol by as much as half; eliminate or drastically reduce acid indigestion and gas buildup by cutting the heaviness of fatty foods; prevent or cure various forms of cancer; prevent or control diabetes mellitus; and, at the same time, have no negative side effects and selectively act on only what ails you. If he gave you a prescription for this miracle medicine, would you use it religiously at first to solve whatever the problem is and then consistently for preventative body maintenance?

All the above curative functions, and more, have been attributed to one plant known to everyone, Taraxacum officinale, which means the "Official Remedy for Disorders." We call it the common dandelion. It is so well respected, in fact, that it appears in the U.S. National Formulatory, and in the Pharmacopeias of Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, and the Soviet Union. It is one of the top 6 herbs in the Chinese herbal medicine chest.

According to the USDA Bulletin #8, "Composition of Foods" (Haytowitz and Matthews 1984), dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in overall nutritional value. Minnich, in "Gardening for Better Nutrition" ranks them, out of all vegetables, including grains, seeds and greens, as tied for 9th best. According to these data, dandelions are nature's richest green vegetable source of beta-carotene, from which Vitamin A is created, and the third richest source of Vitamin A of all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver! They also are particularly rich in fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and the B vitamins, thiamine and riboflavin, and are a good source of protein.

These figures represent only those published by the USDA. Studies in Russia and Eastern Europe by Gerasimova, Racz, Vogel, and Marei (Hobbs 1985) indicate that dandelion is also rich in micronutrients such as copper, cobalt, zinc, boron, and molybdenum, as well as Vitamin D.

Much of what dandelions purportedly do in promoting good health could result from nutritional richness alone. Vogel considers the sodium in dandelions important in reducing inflammations of the liver. Gerasimova, the Russian chemist who analyzed the dandelion for, among other things, trace minerals, stated that "dandelion [is] an example of a harmonious combination of trace elements, vitamins and other biologically active substances in ratios optimal for a human organism" (Hobbs 1985).

Recent research, reported in the Natural Healing and Nutritional Annual, 1989 (Bricklin and Ferguson 1989) on the value of vitamins and minerals indicates that:

* Vitamin A is important in fighting cancers of epithelial tissue, including mouth and lung;

* Potassium rich foods, in adequate quantities, and particularly in balance with magnesium, helps keep blood pressure down and reduces risks of strokes;

* Fiber fights diabetes, lowers cholesterol, reduces cancer and heart disease

risks, and assists in weight loss. High fiber vegetables take up lots of room, are low in calories, and slow down digestion so the food stays in the stomach longer and you feel full longer;

* Calcium in high concentrations can build strong bones and can lower blood pressure;

* B vitamins help reduce stress.

Throughout history, dandelions have had a reputation as being effective in promoting weight loss and laboratory research indicates that there is some support for this reputation. Controlled tests on laboratory mice and rats by the same Romanians indicated that a loss of up to 30% of body weight in 30 days was possible when the animals were fed dandelion extract with their food. Those on grass extract lost much less. The control group on plain water actually gained weight.

Beyond nutritional richness, however, are the active chemical constituents contained in dandelions which may have specific therapeutic effects on the body. These include, as reported by Hobbs (1985):

* Inulin, which converts to fructose in the presence of cold or hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Fructose forms glycogen in the liver without requiring insulin, resulting in a slower blood sugar rise, which makes it good for diabetics and hypoglycemics;

* Tof-CFr, a glucose polymer similar to lentinan, which Japanese researchers have found to act against cancer cells in laboratory mice; Lentinan is a yeast glucan (glucose polymer) that increases resistance against protozoal and viral infections.;

* Pectin, which is anti-diarrheal and also forms ionic complexes with metal ions, which probably contributes to dandelion's reputation as a blood and gastrointestinal detoxifying herb. Pectin is prescribed regularly in Russia to remove heavy metals and radioactive elements from body tissues. Pectin can also lower cholesterol and, combined with Vitamin C, can lower it even more. Dandelion is a good source of both Pectin and Vitamin C;

* Coumestrol, an estrogen mimic which possibly is responsible, at least in part, for stimulating milk flow and altering hormones;

* Apigenin and Luteolin, two flavonoid glycosides which have been demonstrated to have diuretic, anti-spasmodic, anti-oxidant and liver protecting actions and properties, and also to strengthen the heart and blood vessels. They also have anti-bacterial and anti-hypoglycemic properties, and, as estrogen mimics, may also stimulate milk production and alter hormones;

* Gallic Acid, which is anti-diarrheal and anti-bacterial;

* Linoleic and Linolenic Acid, which are essential fatty acids required by the body to produce prostaglandin which regulate blood pressure and such body processes as immune responses which suppress inflammation. These fatty acids can lower chronic inflammation, such as proliferative arthritis, regulate blood pressure and the menstrual cycle, and prevent platelet aggregation;

* Choline, which has been shown to help improve memory;

*Several Sesquiterpene compounds which are what make dandelions bitter. These may partly account for dandelions tonic effects on digestion, liver, spleen and gall bladder, and are highly anti-fungal;

* Several Triterpenes, which may contribute to bile or liver stimulation;

* Taraxasterol, which may contribute to liver and gall bladder health or to hormone altering.

These chemicals, individually, are not unique to dandelions, but the combination of them all in one plant, along with high levels of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fiber account for the many claims made regarding the plant.

These claims include the following results of clinical and laboratory research, again as reported in Hobbs (1985):

* A doubling of bile output with leaf extracts, and a quadrupling of bile output with root extract. Bile assists with the emulsification, digestion and absorption of fats, in alkalinizing the intestines and in the prevention of putrefaction. This could explain the effectiveness of dandelion in reducing the effects of fatty foods (heartburn and acid indigestion);

* A reduction in serum cholesterol and urine bilirubin levels by as much as half in humans with severe liver imbalances has been demonstrated by Italian researchers;

* Diuretic effects with a strength approaching that of the potent diuretics Furosemide and Lasix, used for congestive heart failure and cirrhosis of the liver, with none of the serious side effects, were found by Romanian scientists. They found that water extract of dandelion leaves, administered orally, because of its high potassium content, replaced serum potassium electrolytes lost in the urine, eliminating such side effects common with the synthetics as severe potassium depletion, hepatic coma in liver patients, circulatory collapse, and transmission through mothers' milk;

* In 1979 a Japanese patent was filed for a freeze-dried warm water extract of dandelion root for anti-tumor use. It was found that administration of the extract markedly inhibited growth of particular carcinoma cells within one week after treatment;

* Dental researchers at Indiana University in 1982 used dandelion extracts in antiplaque preparations;

* In studies from 1941 to 1952, the French scientist Henri Leclerc demonstrated the effectiveness of dandelion on chronic liver problems related to bile stones. He found that roots gathered in late summer to fall, when they are rich in bitter, white milky latex, should be used for all liver treatments;

* In 1956, Chauvin demonstrated the antibacterial effects of dandelion pollen, which may validate the centuries old use of dandelion flowers in Korean folk medicine to prevent furuncles (boils, skin infections), tuberculosis, and edema and promote blood circulation.

Also, Witt (1983) recommends dandelion tea to alleviate the water buildup in PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome).

There are many testimonials from those who have benefited from the use of dandelions in the treatment of what ailed them.

Robert Stickle, an internationally famous architect, was diagnosed as having a malignant melanoma 21 years ago, and was given, after radical surgery had not halted its spread, less than 2 years to live. He said, in a letter to Jeff Zullo, president of the Society for the Promotion of Dandelions, (June 23, 1986):

" I went on a search for the answer to my mortal problem, and [discovered] that perhaps it was a nutritional dilemma.... To me, cancer is primarily a liver failure manifestation. {Italians are very concerned about problems of the 'fegato']. [I discovered that] the cancer rate in native Italians is very low among the farming population (paesanos). When they get affluent and move to the city, its the same as the rest of civilized man. Paesanos eat dandelions, make brew from the roots, and are healthy, often living to over 100 years."

He states that he began eating dandelion salad every day, and his improvement confounded the doctors. When he wrote the letter in 1986, 18 years had passed and there had been no recurrence of the melanoma.

A benefit which comes from writing articles for national media is that you hear from people who have interesting stories to tell. I recently received a call from Peter Gruchawka, a 70 year old gentleman from Manorville, NY, who reported that he had been diagnosed with diabetes melitis 3 months before and was put on 5 grams of Micronase. At the time, he had a 5+ sugar spillover in his urine. He took Micronase for about a month before he learned, from his wife who is a nurse, that Micronase can do damage to the liver. He had read in "Herbal Medicine" by Diane Buchanan and "Back to Eden" by Jethro Kloss about the effectiveness of dandelions in controlling diabetes. Without saying anything to his doctors, he stopped taking Micronase and began drinking dandelion coffee each day. During the first week, his urinary sugar, measured night and morning, was erratic and unstable, but after a week, his sugar stabilized and when he called, he had been getting negative urine sugar readings for over a month. The doctors are amazed and can't explain it. An interesting side benefit to replacing Micronase with dandelion coffee is that, while Micronase damages the liver as a side effect, dandelions are particularly known for strengthening the liver.

According to Mr. Gruchawka, he changed nothing but the medication. He had cut out pastries and other sugars when he was diagnosed and started on Micronase, and has continued to do without those things while taking dandelion coffee.

In reporting these claims, however, I must add three qualifiers:

1. First, unfortunately, neither herbs nor synthetic remedies work for everyone in the same way. Different bodies respond differently to medicines, and what works incredibly well for one person may not work at all, or work less well, for someone else.

2. Second, good health results from a combination of healthy diet and enough exercise to keep the body toned. Bob Stickle, for all his insistence that dandelions cured him, changed, according to a mutual friend, his entire lifestyle. He didn't just add dandelion salad to what he was already doing.

3. People with health problems need to seek the advice and care of a competent physician, with whom this information can be shared. It is important to reemphasize that it is presented as information only. I am not a medical doctor, and neither advocate nor prescribe dandelions or dandelion products for use by anyone or for any ailment. Only your doctor can do that.

Because there are so many variables, it is hard to attribute Mr. Stickle's cure to any one of them directly. Likewise, Italian farmers live a lifestyle which combines a healthy diet, lots of work and clean air. They heat and cook with wood, which they have to cut and split. They haul water for household use. When they move to the city, diet, exercise, and environmental conditions change. Stress and sedentary habits increase.

And there is the importance of faith in the healing process, whether it be faith in God or faith in the curative properties of the herb being taken.

While dandelions, given all these variables, may never be proved to cure any specific ill, they are an extremely healthy green which cannot in any way hurt you. Research on how much you would have to eat to cause harm indicates that eating grass is more dangerous than eating dandelions (Hobbs 1985). Therefore, with everything going for dandelions, it is highly probable that everyone can derive at least some nutritional benefit from them by eating or drinking them regularly.

The medical and pharmacological establishment is generally critical of claims regarding the use of herbs on disease, and their concerns need to be put in perspective.

Herbal medicines have been used very effectively far longer than synthetics, and many current pharmaceutical products have been derived from research on plants used as medicine by many cultures. The problem with plants, however, is that they are available to anyone. It is impossible to patent a plant, and thereby gain proprietary rights to it. As a consequence, pharmaceutical companies attempt to isolate the active properties from medicinal plants and synthesize them so that they can patent them. Many of the synthetics have serious side-effects which were not present in the natural plant product, often because other chemicals in the plant offset them (i.e. the large quantities of potassium in dandelions which allows for potassium replenishment when dandelion is used as a diuretic).

USDA botanist Dr. James Duke (1989) suggests that a proper and appropriate "herbal soup", filled with "vitamins, minerals, fibers and a whole host of bioactive compounds," from which the body can selectively strain the compounds it needs to restore itself to health, will be more effective than synthetic medicines containing a "very select and specialized compound or two plus filler, usually non-nutritive." This is especially true if the "herbal soup", in the form of a potent potherb like dandelion, is a regular part of the diet so that the appropriate bioactive substances are present in the right amounts when the body needs them.

The book that this reprint was taken from "The Dandelion Celebration-The Guide to Unexpected Cuisine" is recommended to anyone who would like to know more about this remarkable plant. It covers everything you could want to know about dandelions and more, including recipes, planting, picking and preparing, along with the wonderful history of this "Official Remedy for Disorders", Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion.

This is an excerpt from the book by Peter A. Gail, Ph.D., titled "The Dandelion Celebration-The Guide to Unexpected Cuisine."

The Miracle of Lemon

Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Charles Street Baltimore , MD 1201.

This is the latest in medicine, effective for cancer!

Benefits of lemon.


Lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting him know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy. If you can, plant a lemon tree in your garden or patio. How many people die while this is a closely guarded secret so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimilionnaires large corporations? As you know, the lemon tree is down, does not occupy much space and is known for its varieties of lemons and limes. You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, ... It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors. This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure is too high and antidepressant, combat stress and nervous disorders.
The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that: It destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas ... The compounds of this tree act showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chimiothérapeutte in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract not only destroys malignant cancer cells and does not affect healthy cells.

14/01/2011

A new measure of IQ

(NaturalNews) Observing the various realms of science, medicine, experts and world events, I've come to the conclusion that our modern definition of "intelligence" (IQ) is seriously lacking. The label of "high IQ" is typically assigned to those who are experts in narrowly-defined fields such as disease pathology, pharmacology, particle physics, mathematics or other so-called "hard science" areas. And yet, it's not uncommon to see a high-level mathematics professor with an IQ of 175 chowing down on a processed hamburger laced with toxic chemical additives, while wearing clothes washed in carcinogenic mainstream laundry detergent.

The professor may be brilliant in mathematics, in other words, but he's unknowingly bathing his entire body in cancer-causing chemicals at the same time.

Not too bright.

Similarly, a typical conventional doctor thinks he knows about health, but he buys breakfast cereals made with genetically modified corn and doesn't even know that GMOs are bad for your health. A quantum physics professor wears antiperspirant deodorant and cologne products that contain powerful cancer-causing chemicals that are absorbed right through the skin. A pharmacist who is an expert in the world of drugs and synthetic chemicals has no clue that the common mineral zinc is crucial for proper immune function.

Highly-intelligent architects for some reason don't question the collapse of the WTC 7 building on 9/11 even though the official explanation of the collapse violates the laws of physics (a subject in which architects are well-versed). Chemists don't consider the chemistry of the toxic shampoos they put on their hair every day. Nor do many scientists think realistically about the toxicity of mercury fillings or the fluorosilicic acid ("fluoride") dumped into the public water supply. I could go on...

The point of all this is that there exists a huge gap in practical intelligence among the so-called "smartest" people in our society. I've spoken with countless doctors and conventional health care providers who are brilliant in their own fields and yet don't even know the basics of nutrition. So how can it be that a guy is so smart he can be the world's best brain surgeon, but when he goes home at night, he bathes his own brain and body in a sea of toxic chemicals consumed as additives in his processed food dinner?



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What's lacking in these so-called "smart" people is the ability to see the bigger picture by assimilating information from a large number of seemingly unrelated sources. Or, stated in another way, even some of the most high-IQ people around can't see the big picture because they get lost in the details.

Your typical oncologist, for example, almost certainly can't hold an intelligent conversation about nutritional therapies to support immune function because he only thinks of antioxidants as "interfering" with the toxicity of his cancer poisons. Likewise, a typical virologist persistently looks at viruses as the cause of disease but forgets that viruses are opportunists which can only propagate when the terrain is sufficiently vulnerable. Thus, the best defense against invading microorganism is to change the terrain (the person being infected) rather than to try to rid the immediate area of all viruses.



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See, the very concept of "intelligence" in our society is way off the mark. It isn't intelligent to be able to memorize and regurgitate a huge number of facts and figures, yet this is precisely the measure of academic aptitude assessed in modern educational systems -- especially in law school and medical school. To function as a crude human database of facts and figures is not very useful in an age where handheld computers and mobile computing devices can do the same thing.

But what computers and search engines can't accomplish -- something that is uniquely reserved for intelligent species -- is the ability to assimilate information into a larger picture. It is, in other words, the ability to "connect the dots" and see patterns and trends in what might seem like chaos to others.

My favorite physicist Richard Feynman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richar...) was an especially gifted pattern assimilator. He was able to look far beyond the conventional boundaries of particle physics and grasp many of the non-intuitive interconnections between matter, energy and the nature of reality itself.

On a more practical level, people like Gerald Celente and even Alex Jones are also phenomenally gifted pattern assimilators. It's not that they are ridiculously good at remembering a lot of facts and figures in one very narrow area of science or knowledge; rather it's the fact that these types of people are able to see patterns in world events and thereby interact with the world around them at a far higher level of understanding than most other people.

Whereas a typical journalist sees a headline that says, "GMO restrictions called unscientific" and thinks it's merely a story about how un-educated GMO opponents are, a more intelligent "pattern assimilator" person sees the same headline and understands the far deeper meaning it holds: That the GMO propaganda campaign is being framed in the language of "science" as a way to label reasonable opponents of GMOs as being somehow uneducated or stupid. But behind the fake science curtain, it's really just gimmicky marketing and a profit-driven agenda.

The pattern behind all that, of course, is the agenda to control the world's food supply and, soon thereafter, charge monopoly prices for seeds (TM) that farmers used to be able to save for free.

A few people are able to see the story behind the story. These people are the "meta-analyzers" of the world around them. They have what I call a "wide angle view" (a big picture view) where they can bring in observational data from a very large data set of observable events in order to infer greater understanding of the world around them.

Here are just a few of the many pattern assimilators who are better known:

Gerald Celente can see the big picture of world finance. He sees the signs of the slipping value of the dollar, the leveraged debt of world banks, the actions of the Fed, the Wall Street bailouts, the news propaganda from the financial sector, and so on -- and from all that, he correctly infers that a global debt bubble is approaching catastrophic collapse.

Many of his colleagues, on the other hand, even though they may achieve high scores on an IQ test, are scribbling away with their noses buried in the arcane mathematics of derivatives calculations, and they miss the big picture because their minds are too narrowly focused on a tiny slice of what's really happening. When the big financial collapse comes, they will be caught with their pants down, holding their pencils in their hands.

Author John Perkins is also another big-picture genius, in his own way, for being able to see the patterns of government actions on a global scaled. He's the author of the popular book "Economic Hit Men" (and also "Hoodwinked"), and he sees patterns in the world that nearly everyone else misses. You can see my interview with Perkins, by the way, at: http://naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=83B1A...

On the nutrition front, Dr Richard Kunin is one of the most remarkable pattern assimilators you'll ever find. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richar...) Here's a genius the world has largely overlooked.

Alex Jones is one of the more astonishing assemblers of patterns out of chaos. His ability to see the underlying patterns behind world events is truly amazing, and whether you agree with his conclusions or not, his mind is able to amass an extraordinarily large amount of data from many sectors (health freedom, police state actions, legislative efforts and so on) and then identify patterns that most other people would miss. You can find Alex on www.PrisonPlanet.com



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This list is by no means exhaustive. There are many genius-level pattern assimilators in our world. They are rarely recognized for their talents, however. If anything, those who "get" the big picture are often derided or criticized for doing so. Connecting too many dots, it seems, is dangerous for your reputation. Those who have the most success in the sciences (in particular), are the ones who keep their heads down and focus on their own tiny little corner of study without asking any of the really big questions like, "Hey, where did this grant money really come from?"

I consider myself something of a pattern assimilator, as I see patterns from one area of knowledge often reflected in another. For example, if our global economy is like a world body, what would fit the definition of a cancer tumor engaged in angiogenesis? The answers is corporations, because corporations hijack their own supply of resources (much like cancer tumors build a new blood supply), then grow to a large and dangerous size at which point they begin to replicate and set up branch offices all over the world where the tumor cycle is repeated. And just like cancer tumors, corporations ultimately threaten the lives of their hosts.

As an avid reader and student of human history, psychology and even quantum mechanics, I feel competent to discuss the history of philosophy as much as, say, the modern-day repeating of patterns of tyranny from World War II.

The most promising and fascinating area of human discovery about to be achieved, in my opinion, relates to the superposition of quantum physics and human consciousness. This will result in a paradigm-shattering shift in understanding the nature of our reality, with ripple effects that resound throughout our modern world. Once Earth's people come to realize, for example, that matter is consciousness (and that all consciousness is connected), the implications will require profound rethinking of things such as compassion for animals, religious beliefs and self identity. This is the really exciting stuff that's headed our way.

But we'll never get to a higher understanding of consciousness if we remain "experts" limited to our tiny alcoves of knowledge. To really function as intelligent members of a race that has been advertised as "advanced," we must expand not just the depth of our knowledge but the breadth of our understanding.

And that, of course, means understanding the interconnectedness of our being-ness. It is the interconnectedness that really matters, quite literally (ahem).

Let us hope that more members of the human species can learn to recognize the interconnectedness among not just people, plants and animals, but at another level the interconnectedness of mind, matter and energy, too. To gain understanding of this interconnectedness is -- to paraphrase quite a number of scientists and philosophers from human history -- to become closer to God. He who can see all interconnectedness in life and the cosmos is, of course, God Himself.

To see and recognize the patterns in the reality we apparently inhabit is, in my view, the most important next step necessary for the advancement of human intelligence. Importantly, this advancement cannot come from the sciences alone. It must involve a so-called "quantum leap" in consciousness.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/031008_intelligence_big_picture.html#ixzz1B2wLoPKh

11/01/2011

Good spine, good health

(NaturalNews) Bad posture is a modern day health epidemic that is much worse than most people naturally assume. Posture is the window into your spine. The spine has a powerful relationship with the brain, spinal cord, and overall organ function. This intimate connection means that poor posture and spinal health will lead to an overall decrease in brain and organ function.

Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Roger Sperry says that the spine is the motor that drives the brain. According to his research "90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine." Only 10% of our brain's energy goes into thinking, metabolism, immunity, and healing. Sperry demonstrated that 90% of brain energy goes into processing and maintaining the body's relationship with gravity.

One of the worst types of health problems people experience is a loss of the natural curves of their spine. Ideally, we should have a 40-45 degree curve in our neck that many chiropractors and neurosurgeons refer to as "the arc of life." This curve helps to protect the brain stem and the spinal canal for the spinal cord and nerves that travel to every region of our body.

Subluxation is the term for misalignments of the spine that cause compression and irritation of nerve pathways affecting organ systems of the body. Subluxations can manifest as pain, but since only a small portion of spinal nerves transmit pain sensations they are often unnoticeable by the individual. Losing the arc of life in the neck, forward head posture, and scoliosis are three of the most dangerous forms of subluxation.

Subluxation patterns such as forward head posture and loss of the neck curve are most often created by trauma and/or poor posture. Examples of trauma include the birth process (especially with forceps delivery), falls, car accidents, & sporting activities. The typical individual in our society today spends at least 3-4 hours a day slumped in front of a television, computer, and texting cell phone. These behaviors cause the head to shift forward and create a lasting posture pattern called forward head posture.

This 'forward head posture' can add up to 30 pounds of abnormal leverage pulling the entire spine out of alignment and may result in the loss of 30% of vital lung capacity," says University of California's director of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Rene Cailliet.

As forward head posture decreases lung capacity it affects the body from effectively oxygenating cells. This can lead to asthmatic conditions, blood vessel problems and heart disease. The oxygen deficit affects the entire gastrointestinal system leading to altered nutrient absorption and peristaltic activity. Lowered oxygen states also decrease endorphin production turning the perception of non-painful sensation into pain experiences.

Some chiropractors specialize in corrective care techniques that reduce or eliminate forward head posture and restore the natural curves of the body. This is done through gentle & specific adjustments that take pressure off of the brain stem and nerve pathways and enhance function to the body. Corrective rehabilitative exercises are prescribed to address postural abnormalities and create lasting objective postural and x-ray changes. Specialized chiropractors are able to demonstrate these changes to the individual with pre-post x-rays, nerve scans, postural pictures and other technology.

Studies have shown that corrective based chiropractic care effectively reduces forward head posture and enhances the arc of life. A 2009 study by Morningstar and Jockers showed that this corrective process dramatically enhanced lung function. As the respiration process improves more oxygen gets into the body. This improves blood flow into every organ system of the body dramatically improving overall function.

http://www.draxe.com/asthma-heart-d...
http://pathoflifechiro.com/custom_c...
http://www.chiropracticlifecentre.c...
Improvement in Forward Head Posture, Cervical Lordosis, and Pulmonary Function with Chiropractic Care, Anterior Head Weighting and Whole Body Vibration: A Retrospective Study-Mark Morningstar DC, DAASP, FRCCM, FAAIM 1, David Jockers DC, MS, CSCS2J. Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - October 12, 2009




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