Missing Link to the Immune System

For decades science has been looking for the answers to our health problems in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates have long been overlooked - thought just to be energy or calories and play no other significant role.

But recent science has found eight super carbohydrates that are essential for the production and proper function of glycoproteins. Glycoproteins or GPs are the communication mechanism the cells use for everything from cell differentiation in embryonic development to distinguishing healthy cells from pathogenic invaders, to constructing immune factors and calling them to a needed area. This new science is just coming out in physiology and biochemistry books now, like Harper's Biochemistry 1996 edition. If these eight essential saccharides are not available in adequate amounts, these and many other systems in the body may be impaired. Since only one or two of these super carbohydrates are obtained in our modern diets, supplementing the diet with all the essential saccharides is the best way to insure optimal health and immunity.

This new field of glyconutrition is attracting the attention of the medical and scientific communities as the greatest breakthrough in the understanding how to activate the immune system as well as many other processes. It has become the new buzz in the scientific community and is sending shock waves throughout the medical industry. Continuing Education Courses are being taught on the subject and there are medical conventions held totally on this subject.

One of the recently discovered functions of GPs is in the development of babies during pregnancy. GPs are what allow the body to know when to stop making one type of tissue, like liver, and begin making bone or kidney. Some believe this may be an answer to preventing many birth defects. There also have been studies showing the body's inability to respond effectively to viruses, bacteria, and even genetic impairment as a result of a deficiency of the essential saccharides. Numerous medical studies on a variety of health problems have been and continue to be published.

This is the most exciting discovery ever regarding the immune system. The scientists and doctors who originally developed and standardized the active ingredient in aloe vera (one essential saccharide called mannose), have now through scientific advancements found natural sources of the other 8 known essential (mono)saccharides. This glyconutrient complex provides not just one, but all the essential components making the 8 or more major components and minor critical components that when deficient may prevent proper function of GPs, cells and genes. Mannose from the gel in aloe vera's inner leaf is only one component. Other components include: Arabinogalactan (Larix decidua), gum ghatti, & gum tragacanth.

Now that it is known that there are at least 8 or more essential saccharides and 75 critical components; the standerdized glyconutrient complex makes other aloe products obsolete. Who would ever want to buy and use any aloe product or other plant with only one of the saccharides in adequate levels when you can have them all? Now scientists have found proprietary methods to optimally blend and deliver the components of GPs in high enough concentrations in a way that they can be utilized in the body. And still maintain the natural live food form.

New radioactive tracking studies show that individual saccharides are digested directly, absorbed and formed into GPs. A whole new level has been reached with this product. One & only one company has a proprietary blend with all the needed precursors. They have the complete vehicle containing all the essential parts, not just one part like other products. Not just a wheel or motor but it is the complete vehicle. It is the cell communication system.

The same patent holding doctors & scientific team, that in early stages developed and patented the saccharides from aloe, are now furthering their research by developing the ultimate glyconutrient blend. Dr. McAnalley brought his scientific team works with him to this end. They not only have the ability to do what was done before, but they are developing far beyond the limits of Aloe alone. Originally, all they knew about or had was the one component from Aloe. Now they have gone on to discover a proprietary way to provide all the necessary components into a powerful food. The patent is actually for all known essential saccharides. So as more are discovered and proven to be essential they will be added into the patent protection belonging to Dr. McAnalley's team. Special patents called "Composition of Matter" patents have also been applied for on the technology so even if someone else was able to design a way to make them bio-available the special "Composition of Matter" (COM) patents prevent it. Only in cases of an exceptionally important and unique discovery are these COM patents granted. Due to work by this scientific team, they now have combined all that is in aloe along with the new discoveries into the glyconutrient complex. The scientific team found proprietary sources to obtain these substances and they are not disclosing the sources to prevent copying. But they are all plant sources. Obviously this blend of the saccharides is more effective than any one saccharide would be if taken individually. You want them all in your diet because if you are deficient in any one, your system may not be able to perform many essential tasks.

Since most of these super carbohydrates are missing in our diet, the body may try to synthesize them if possible. This is very difficult requiring, in some cases, hundreds of enzyme reactions. This obviously is not occurring as it should in most of us, if in anyone, due to deficiencies of enzymes and nutrients, or toxins, in our food and environment. It is evident proper GP production is not occurring. GPs are the letters that cells spell with to communicate. When the body is deficient in the saccharides cells can not produce GPs or communicate with other cells or the immune system. Not only are the cells not communicating and receiving immune help as they should but the pathogens, the bad guys, also are deficient in these saccharides and therefore are not communicating their identity. This causes them to be invisible to the immune system. One of our major problems has been that our immune factors have just not been able to identify the pathogens; so it has been impossible to eliminate them. Once these glyconutrients are added into the diet the viruses, bacteria, or yeasts start communicating and our immune factors can detect them. So not only are the good cells now able to call for help; and the immune factors now functioning optimally; but greatest of all, the pathogens are no longer able to survive by being unidentified.

Therefore as expected, now that the lights are turned on for these hidden pathogens, the immune system goes into high gear destroying them and discharging them from the system. This may be observed by mucous discharges from lungs or sinuses or by skin rashes and acceleration of other elimination systems. This is exciting to see our bodies finally able to rid themselves of these toxins that would otherwise continue to build up in the body diminishing good health and longevity. And no more auto-immune aggression to good cells that previously could not say, I'm OK; I'm you, don't destroy me.

Glucose, or regular sugar, is already excessive in our food, so the glyconutrient blend does not need to contain extra glucose that may be a problem for diabetics or those on calorie restrictive diets. There are trace amounts of Glucose naturally in the sources which the other monosaccharides are derived. The other saccharides, (which in chemistry are referred to as sugars), are in a cell food state and do not stimulate insulin production, or need insulin to digest them. They are not a problem for diabetics like sugars that reduce to glucose & fructose. Since they are basically in a digested cell food state already they can be used directly by the cell and are not like sugar as we think of it.

Foods are digested down to saccharides for use by cells. The particular plant source they originated from is irrelevant and won't cause allergy reactions. The monosaccharides are from all non-animal sources. Regardless of what some may say who have not yet learned this science or who do not know how the product is made, it really does work. The science is available in peer reviewed journal articles, unlike other products which may only have clinical trials.

Don't you think any Dr. who does not know of the science of Glycobiology that has won the Nobel Prize in Medicine 5 out of the last 8 years is unreliable? This netraceutical won the American Naturapathic Medical Association's biochemical breakthrough of the year award also in 1996.

With the amazing scientific developments of Dr.'s McAnalley, Dr. McDaniel and the rest of the scientific teams, they are continually advancing products for optimal health, immunity and leading the glyconutrient field.

Zach Thompson works internationally as a Glyconutritional Consultant. He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural Virginia. He serves primarily the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, & New Zealand. His clients range from Professional & Olympic Athletes to those with auto-immune disease & children with Learning Disabilities. He uses exclusively Pharmaceutical-Grade Glyconutritonals, & Dietery Supplements that meet or exceed the criteria set forth by The Council for Responsible Nutrition in his practice. The consumption of Organic & chemical-free foods along with a low-glycemic diet plan is an integral part of of his clients path to wellness. You can get more information at: http://www.myglyconutrientstore.com .

Toxic Metal Removal Through Restored Protein Anabolism. Focus: Mercury Toxicity

Toxic metals exist in our environment as pollutants in our air, soil, water and consequently our food supply. We face the added challenge of the toxic metals in our fillings (silver/mercury amalgams) and the thimerosol mercury compound that has been used as preservative for over half a century in our vaccinations. These metals build in our tissues causing our systems to malfunction on many different levels

Mercury has basically two forms: Organic and inorganic, and both are toxins. Inorganic mercury is found in or near: thermometers, barometers, dental fillings, batteries, electric wiring and switches, fluorescent lights, pesticides, fungicides, vaccines, paint, skin-tightening creams, spills, antiseptic creams, pharmaceutical drugs and ointments. Organic mercury becomes methyl mercury when combined with carbon by water or soil organisms. It can bioaccumulate and pass up the food chain. This occurs in marine life and can be found in farm animals and produce. Humans can convert inorganic to organic forms. The concentrations in the body are highest in the brain and kidneys. It has also been reported in the red cells, liver, muscle tissues, and gall bladder.

The current main treatments for toxic metal removal are IV chelation with artificial compounds EDTA, DMPS and DMSA. Only EDTA is FDA approved. Interestingly EDTA (Edetic Acid) says on its International Chemical Safety Card: "EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE: The substance irritates the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the kidneys." And, "??Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment."

There are various alternative methods with substances that have mixed success with oral chelation. Because all of these current methods use standard evaluation methods; urine, feces, blood, and hair, they are limited to collected specimens and do not evaluate the tissues involved directly. SuperNutrient Corporation adds another dimension in testing for imbalances, metal toxicity and the effects of oral chelation of toxic metals through protein anabolism. Our methods of kinesiology (particularly Applied Kinesiology), and EAV (Electroacupuncture According to Voll) brought us into the use of the meridian (acupuncture) channels and points that had specific meaning diagnostically. Dr. Voll identified the protein, carbohydrate, and fat enzyme production points of the pancreas. Dr. Vickery then identified the cause of the pancreatic malfunction in enzyme creation and supplied the answer with SuperNutrient's essential amino acids formulas.

The Vickery-Voll Test revealed that nine out of ten patients in clinical practice had a positive test meaning varying degrees of inadequate dietary protein digestion from a pancreas that was literally in deficit production of necessary enzymes. This was later named the alpha xP Factor. Years of clinical testing revealed that the best approach was the use of an optimal formula of free form essential amino acids. Most enzyme formulas and amino acids that had many non-essential amino acids did not work as well or stopped working after various lengths of time. The Vickery formula seemed to help the individual synthesize their own particular enzymes better than enzymes from beef, swine or fungi.

Cells can destroy their own proteins to fulfill the essential amino acid production requirement, but ultimately this is exhausted. Normal healthy metabolism demands the constant influx of essential amino acids to maintain homeostasis. These are derived from the dietary protein intake with the aid of a balanced blend of essential amino acids.

As the scope of the protein deficiency and its impact on human health was observed daily in clinical practice, it became apparent that this nutritional crisis was the core problem underlying the many common health issues we see today including hypoglycemia, spinal disk lesions, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia. With essential amino acid therapy our patients have shown spinal disk degeneration (the basic cause of back pain) reversal in ten hours as well as rapid heavy metal detoxification.

Mercury, lead, aluminum, cadmium and arsenic readily are removed from the body as seen in fibromyalgia and other patients. Major detoxification mechanisms work in the cells and primarily the liver. Sulfation, in which the key player is glutathione, removes excess hormones such as estrogen, adrenaline, and testosterone. Stress raises the levels of production of these hormones and increases the need for glutathione. Metallothionein, a newly discovered enzyme works closely with glutathione in metals removal: MT lll is found in the brain and MT l and ll are found in the rest of the body. Glutathione is a tripeptide containing cysteine, essential,(sulfur bearing), glutamic acid, and glycine. MT (again sulfur bearing) has methionine and cysteine making up 1/3 of the chain which is 1/2 essential amino acids.

Platinum Plus Essential Amino Acid formula was specifically designed to enhance the phase ll detoxification of the liver with the additions to the original Essential Amino Acid formula of 200 mg of MSM sulfur and 30 mcg of molybdenum which are essential. Phase ll wraps up the heavy metals so that they may be eliminated from the body. If this is not accomplished they will remain in the fat tissues, brain, nerve sheaths of the body. In all of the cases of Fibromyalgia there was complete elimination of the five metals tested.

It should be readily apparent that the limiting factor in maintaining adequate supply of the body enzyme systems which control function, and structure is availability of that essential amino acid needed for synthesis of the enzymes and other proteins necessary for health and longevity. The point of this information is simple. Lack of digested complete dietary protein is causing degeneration and disease. SuperNutrient Corporation's, http://www.supernutrient.com, balance essential amino acid formula is designed to correct this critical metabolic malfunction.

Dr Vickery, edited Nina Stout

That Cookie Might Kill You!

Chances are you may have had a food product that contained Trans Fatty Acids. What's the danger you ask? I 'm about to share with you just a little of the hidden dangers and certain death that some of the most popular foods you eat can cause.

Do you eat foods such as, vegetable shortenings, margarine, crackers, candies, cookies, snack foods, fried foods, baked goods, and other processed foods made with Trans Fatty Acids with are hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils? Well if you do you are putting yourself and your family at risk for very serious diseases like Alzheimer's, Coronary Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes!

What are Trans Fatty Acids? These are hydrogenated oils that are created by fusing gas and oils together with what's called a metal catalyst. The catalyst is made of, nickel, aluminum or cobalt. The oils and hydrogen are fused together in temperatures reaching over 400 degrees, thereby changing the molecular structure of the oil.

Keep in mind that the metals that are used in the process of hydrogenation arehighly toxic to your body with prolong use, which to me is bad enough, but the real culprit is the fact that the hydrogenated oils are "altered" and "unnatural" so your body cannot eliminate them naturally. Aluminum by itself has been shown to cause Cancer and Alzheimer's disease!

Kraft Foods, whom by the way is owned by Phillip Morris (the tobacco company) manufacturers everything from cheese to nutritional bars admits on their official website that and I quote "Consuming Trans Fatty Acids is directly linked to Coronary Heart Disease." They also say that the use of TFA (hydrogenated oils) improve the "texture" and "freshness" of certain products.

The fact is that companies use these oils because the cost is cheaper, the oil does not go rancid and quickly and they get more volume from the hydrogenation process thereby allowing them to sell more of it! Did you know this??

The FDA states that food manufacturers can list their products as, 0 Trans Fat on their labels if the amount of Trans Fat is less than (0.5 grams) per serving.

Now how many of you eat The Suggested Serving Size that's on the packaging?????

The New England Journal of Medicine -- June 24, 1999 -- Vol. 340, No. 25, states," product labeling is not enough because fast foods contain high amounts of trans fatty acids and are exempt from labeling regulation". They also state, "Changing the use of hydrogenated oils to un-hydrogenated oils would substantially reduce the risk of coronary heart disease."

So with all this knowledge, what are your alternatives? Mono or polyunsaturated fats that are found in Olive and Peanut oils are the best oils to use. These oils do not clog your arteries but you should still use them in moderation. Please stay away from anything pre packaged and don't fry your foods, bake them instead. Start cooking "real foods" again!

In closing, please take care of yourself. Do not think because you may be young, physically active or even "vegetarian" that you cannot fall victim to the deathly additives in food products today. Read labels! With every meal you consume, you are either poisoning or your nourishing your body!

Salkis Re is a cosmetologist licensed in both New York and Georgia and a member of the American Cancer Society Look Good Feel Better program. She started her crusade to uncover the dangers of foods after the death of her own father to the disease of diabetes.

For more information on food dangers and natural alternatives please email her at naturesbesinc@aol.com

Death, Aging, Rejuvenation (Part 1)

I would like to raise a question: Is Rejuvenation possible and how to approach it? This is just my own opinion about possible procedures. I used certain techniques based on a theory. As strange as it sounds some of those techniques and procedures might actually worked.

There are several hundreds theories of aging. New and old ones. Different authors classify them differently.

I would divide all those theories into 2 groups :

1. Theories of Deterioration from external cause. "Wear and tear". Theory of free radicals damage is most fashionable at present time. Antioxidants are considered a cure. Benefits of caloric restriction are often explained by that theory. The theory has good objective support in scientific literature. Other theories of this group included changes of bacteria in the gut, radiation and accumulation of mutations during life of an individual, etc. - many more of those theories were discussed in the XX century. 2. Internal clock - theories.

I would divide the "internal clock" theories into 2 more subgroups: 1. Internal clock on the level of cell. Telomeres shortening is the most discussed in literature at present. 2. Internal clock on the level of organism. Growth hormone changes was a recent example of discussion.

Authors are usually very cautious and objective in scientific literature. Telomeres are usually discussed in connection with "immortal" cancer cells. Caloric restriction is discussed as a mean of longevity (not rejuvenation per se). Level of growth hormone (GH) or insulin-like growth factor drops in aged persons.

Mass media speculates wider: telomeres restoration - possible immortal life, growth hormone will rejuvenate you, etc.

Original scientific studies usually do not speculate about this. In no way for example drop of GH level in elderly means that just giving it back will make you young again.

Scientific literature rarely discuss "Rejuvenation" as it is. Authors mostly talk about "longevity". This is very different story. Longevity in a wheelchair is very distinct from a youth playing soccer. One proven method to reach longevity is caloric restriction. Often they say it is the only proven technique. Using antioxidants as a method to prolong life is in the same category. To put simple, the Theory says: nutrition produce products of oxidation - peroxides, etc. These products damage DNA, proteins, etc. Cell ages. Caloric restriction switches metabolic pathways. There are less free radicals. Hence longevity. Antioxidants work in similar way - they remove free radicals. Another speculation is that caloric restriction starting at young age delays reproductive age in animals and this slows down biological clocks and prolongs life until an environment with high nutrition supply is found. Animals look small and undeveloped.

Caloric restriction significantly (25%-100% and more) prolonged life in worms, flies, spiders, rats, mice, etc. Experiments on monkeys and humans are under way and will take decades.

Well, it is all good in experiments and theories. Some argue: why in this case prisoners of concentration camps do not live longer. Another example came from "Scientific American" - a person had caloric restriction of something 20 years or more - no effect - he just looks like very thin undernourished person of 50 years. Examples of opposite opinion also exist (tribes or groups with low food consumption or high antioxidants consumption have more centenarians than general population). Maybe you really need to start at 10 years of age, look malnourished and weak for the whole life and live to 100 years, getting to your puberty at 25. Antioxidants also bring many controversy. Vitamin E did not show many benefits though it was a big hope for prevention of many diseases of old age. And so on. Today there are big trials that disprove the theory. Tomorrow - great experiments that confirm the theory, at least partially. Many big trials and experiments are published in leading journals - Science, Nature, PNAS, New England JM, JAMA, etc.

One bias for caloric restriction experiment in my opinion is following. Rats live in cage 30cmX60cm for their whole life. There are at least five rats or 20 mice. They live couple years and die. During the experiments they are celebrities when they live 5 years - some lucky ones. The Food is a balanced mixture of nutrition. Caloric restriction is - 60% of their regular meal. They practically don't move - there is no space in cage. Mostly they sleep whole day. Sometime they fight and mate. They live in those conditions at Yale, at Med U of South Carolina, at Russian State Medical University and I think everywhere else. To compare our fellow humans we would place 10 people on area of 20 square metres (200 sq. feet) for 50 years in a row, feeding them with what they want but all the same - let say junk food from McDonalds.

I remember my cat (who was partially wild) stole meat and ate until it started to vomit. He repeated it many times when he was able to steal some steak or whatever. The same happens in wild - lions have maybe one successful hunt out of ten. When they catch a prey, they eat like crazy. Much more than they can digest at the moment. So it looks like there is an instinct. Eat as much as possible. This is not a joke - 60% of people in western countries are overweight. Abundant high calorie food and lack of activity. It does not seem that for these people any internal mechanism restricts food consumption. Applying this back to rats, we can see that what is considered normal consumption - "ad lib" - maybe actually big overfeeding of the animals in these cages.

In this case 60% of caloric restriction would be just what rats need, just what the calories they spend in lazy, uneventful daily life. So called "control", "normal" rats - that fed as they usually fed might be compared for fat overweight humans. They consume junk food. They prone to the bunch of diseases of obesity and low activity. Heart diseases, strokes, variety of cancers, arthritis, etc.

In this case all the hype about caloric restriction would just be brought to the business of mere balancing diet and activity in so called "calorie-restricted animals". I haven't seen any discussion of this problem. I might be wrong. This is why I use caloric restriction for myself. I did not work with worms and spiders. But my guess would be that they all are also in artificial standardized conditions. "Control" worms might be also overfed. To put rats into bigger cages (to increase activity in control group and balance calories and catabolism) would be incredibly expensive.

Even at present conditions because of "animal lovers" and bunch of other regulations and considerations (e.g. sterile conditions), the price of animal housing is sky-high.

You would say animals in wild would live longer because they balance activity and consumption. Well, recently I read that life span of animals in wild is shorter than animals in captivity. Correct me if I am wrong: pandas live 15-20 years in nature and 20-30 in zoos, bears 20-25 in nature and 30-40 in captivity. Civilization has certain benefits - vaccinations, good medical care, more or less good hygiene. So just moving into wild conditions wouldn't make you younger or allow to live longer.

Now, to discuss rejuvenation procedures, I would need to talk about aging first. In this case Rejuvenation could be considered as reversal of aging (deterioration). Longevity is different story - it is prolonged life span. Rejuvenation supposedly should lead to longevity. But longevity is not equal to Rejuvenation. Aging leads to Death eventually. It is easier to discuss from that end.

All written here is just plain speculation, take it with a grain of salt.

- continued in Part 2

About The Author

Aleksandr Kavokin, MD,PhD

http://www.geocities.com/aging_rejuvenation/

http://www.geocities.com/usmle_test

aging_rejuvenation@yahoo.com

Pineapples: The Healing Fruit Of The Tropics (Includes A Recipe For Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie)

For a natural and tasty way to improve your health and boost your healing capacity, add fresh pineapple and pineapple juice to your diet. Pineapples are nutritionally packed members of the bromeliad family. This delightful tropical fruit is high in the enzyme bromelain and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which plays a major role in the body's healing process.

Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties, encourages healing, promotes well-being and has many other health benefits. Bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect can also help relieve osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce postoperative swelling. Additionally, bromelain can relieve indigestion. The enzyme contained in fresh pineapple helps break down the amino acid bonds in proteins, which promotes good digestion.

Pineapples also provide an ample supply of vitamin C, a commonly known antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the immune system. Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound healing. The body uses vitamin C to help metabolize fats and cholesterol, absorb iron, and synthesize amino acids and collagen. Collagen is one of the primary building blocks of skin, cartilage and bones. Vitamin C also decreases the severity of colds and infections.

Furthermore, due to its high vitamin C content, pineapples are good for your oral health as well. Recent studies have found that vitamin C can reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Besides increasing the ability of connective tissue to repair itself, vitamin C also increases the body's ability to fight invading bacteria and other toxins that contribute to gum disease. Periodontal disease, which destroys gum tissue and underlying jaw bones, has been linked to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

So if you are searching for a natural way to enhance your body's healing mechanisms, promote overall good health and tantalize your taste buds, pineapples are the way to go. Choose the fresh fruit because it has the most healing properties. Unfortunately, most of the bromelain in canned pineapple is destroyed due to the heat used in the canning process.

When choosing a fresh pineapple, do not judge ripeness solely based upon color. There are several varieties on the market that range from green to golden yellow. The most important factor in determining ripeness is smell, let your nose help you decide. Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, fresh tropical smell. Avoid pineapples that give off an unpleasant odor or have any soft spots or areas of dark discoloration. Once home, let the pineapple sit on your counter at room temperature until ready to use. This will preserve its sweet and tangy flavor.

To prepare pineapple, you need to peel it, remove the eyes (the thorny protrusions within the puffy squares of the skin) and the fibrous center. One way to do this is to remove the top of the pineapple with a sharp knife. Then cut the pineapple lengthwise into 4 wedges (quarter it) and place each pineapple wedge horizontally on a cutting board. Carefully cut the fruit from the outer skin, and cut out the eyes and fibrous center core.

Another way is to cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple, place the pineapple vertically (upright) on a cutting board and carefully slice off the outer skin. With a sharp paring knife or the end if a vegetable peeler, remove the eyes. Don't cut too deep, just enough to lift out the section that contains the eye. Then, slice the pineapple crosswise and remove the fibrous core individually with a cookie cutter.

Once the fruit is prepared, it can be diced and eaten fresh, added to salads and entrees for an exotic flavor, or made into tasty tropical drinks and smoothies.

To get you started, try Monique N. Gilbert's delicious, nutritious, cholesterol-free smoothie recipe. It's high in bromelain, vitamin C, beta carotene, potassium, thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), iron, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and soy isoflavones.

Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie

__________________________________________

1 frozen banana

1 cup fresh pineapple

1/2 cup soymilk

1/3 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon canned pumpkin

1 tablespoon ground flax seeds

1 tablespoon honey (optional)

__________________________________________

Place all of the above ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy. Makes about 2-3/4 cups (2 servings)

Copyright (c); Monique N. Gilbert - All Rights Reserved

Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc. is a Health, Nutrition, Weight-Loss & Lifestyle Coach; Certified Personal Trainer/Fitness Counselor; Recipe Developer; Freelance Writer and Author of Virtues of Soy: A Practical Health Guide and Cookbook. http://www.MoniqueNGilbert.com

She has offered guidance in natural health, nutrition, fitness, weight-loss and stress management since 1989. She has received international recognition for helping people get healthy, manage stress, lose weight and keep it off. Through her coaching program and writings, Monique motivates and teaches how to improve your well-being, vitality and longevity with balanced nutrition, physical activity and healthy living. For more information, visit her website.

Aspartame -More Dangerous Than High Fructose Corn Syrup

It's really hard to believe that something could be worse than the intense sugar loads from high fructose corn syrup and sucrose. But, Aspartame ( Equal, Nutrasweet, Equal Measure, Spoonful, Canderal) is even more dangerous to your health.

Aspartame, was first discovered in 1965 when Searle chemist Jim Schlatter, who was developing this drug for another purpose, accidentally licked some from his finger and found it to be sweet tasting. The ingredients in aspartame are phenylalanine(50%), aspartic acid (40%) and methyl alcohol(10%).

Aspartame Approved by the FDA in January 1981

Even after about eight years of steadfast refusal by the FDA to approve this dangerous drug for human consumption, Searle tried one more time, the day after the inauguration of the President in 1981. The previous commissioner of the FDA had been "removed" and a new one installed. Despite an FDA agency investigation into this "approval by political triage," the drug has not been removed from the market and the investigation was, in essence, abandoned.

Why get embalmed before it is absolutely necessary?

Methyl alcohol, also known as "wood" alcohol breaks down in the body to formaldehyde and DKP(diketopiperazine). Formaldehyde, as many of you probably already know, is embalming solution and highly toxic to the central nervous system. Why get embalmed before it is absolutely necessary? Methyl alcohol causes blindness and if the dose is large enough, it can cause liver and kidney failure. DKP is a known carcinogen and causes brain tumors. According to the National Cancer Institute there has been a 10% increase in primary brain tumors since 1985. There has also been an increase in brain tumors in children whose mothers consumed aspartame throughout pregnancy.

Phenylalanine and Aspartic Acid

These are both amino acids that are normally supplied by the foods that we eat. However, when they are isolated and supplied in very high concentrations, they are toxic to the central nervous system causing headache, mental confusion and memory loss, balance problems and seizures. These ingredients have been classified as excitotoxins.

Excitotoxin Damage

Excitotoxin damage usually takes weeks to months to years to become clinically apparent. Excitotoxins are also strong generators of free radicals thus accelerating aging of most organ systems, significantly the vascular system, immune system compromise inducing cancer and the musculo-skeletal system resulting in arthritis. Joint pain is one of the chief complaints of those with aspartame poisoning.

The Blood-Brain Barrier

Aspartame is especially dangerous to those who already have disease, the unborn and those less than one year old. Diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and aging compromise the blood-brain barrier. This barrier in the fetus and neonate is not well developed. These groups are especially sensitive to the damaging effects of aspartame since the barrier that would keep the excitotoxins out of the brain is either compromised or not developed yet. No wonder birth defects are also associated with Aspartame.

Formaldehyde (besides embalming)

It is known that formaldehyde accumulates in the areas of the brain that correspond to the neurodegenerative symptoms of Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease. Aspartame has also been shown to cause seizures in susceptible people, even with no prior history.

Aspartame and Pilots

When I was a Flight Surgeon in the Air Force we were always concerned about any alcohol ingestion 24 hours before flying. Now, pilots have to be concerned about aspartame ingestion before flying, since it can induce vertigo / disorientation and seizures. If you are flying commercial, hope that your pilot isn't drinking diet soda.

Visual Impairment

During the years of prohibition there were many cases of blindness due to consumption of methyl alcohol, since ethanol (the typical alcohol of most drinks, beers etc) was banned. Today we have an ophthalmologist in West Palm Beach, Florida Dr. H.J. Roberts, who has treated hundreds of aspartame victims. One quarter of his patients have experienced blindness. According to Dr. Roberts "optic nerve swelling, retinal degeneration and visual impairment, that is associated with heavy aspartame use, is identical to the pathology observed in recorded cases of methanol toxicity from drinking wood alcohol throughout the days of prohibition." This gets especially problematic since the American Diabetic Association still recommends aspartame. What is frequently misdiagnosed as diabetic retinopathy is often aspartame retinopathy.

Below is a partial list of other diseases that aspartame toxicity can mimic or worsen. The list currently totals about 92 symptoms and diseases.

Multiple Sclerosis

Parkinson's Disease

Lou Gehrig's disease

Diabetes

Hypertension

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Obesity ... yes, aspartame can actually cause weight gain.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Phenylketonuria is a rare inherited (genetically recessive) metabolic disease that can result in mental retardation and other neurological problems if treatment is not started in the first few weeks of life. The defect is either complete or partial absence of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase that metabolizes phenylalanine to tyrosine. In view of the fact that aspartame is 50% phenylalanine, it is an absolute contra-indication for anyone with PKU. Carriers for the trait are also at risk for problems with aspartame. There are over 100 different genetic mutations with enzyme activities from zero to normal. For more information on aspartame and phenylketonuria follow the link below:

http://www.sweetpoison.com/phenylketonuria.html

Michael J. Fox, Aspartame and Parkinson's Disease (or) "Diet Pepsi Rots Your Brain"

Michael J. Fox developed Parkinson's at age 30. He was at one time a spokesman for Diet Pepsi and was known to be addicted to Diet Pepsi. Follow the link below for more on this:

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=684893

To see a very interesting movie about "political triage" and the eventual "approval" of aspartame by the FDA follow the link below:

http://www.soundandfuryproductions.com/Pages/Rumsfeld.html

For more on the dangers of aspartame follow the links below:

http://aspartamekills.com http://dorway.com

Today's Health Tip

Avoid aspartame completely. If you must drink sodas, you are better off to drink the non-diet variety. It is much easier to lose a few pounds of fat, than be treated for a brain tumor, Parkinson's disease or blindness.

Read labels very carefully. Aspartame is in, at last count, over 7000 foods, beverages including beer, sports nutrition drinks and bars and even vitamins.

If you are going to drink diet sodas, make sure to keep them cool, as the breakdown of aspartame (which proceeds unchecked even still in the can) is temperature and age dependant. The higher the ambient (storage) temperature, the more methyl alcohol and formaldehyde will be present in your soda. Also, the older the can of aspartame laden diet soda, the more methyl alcohol and formaldehyde will be present in the can.

Reference:

Stryer Biochemistry Fourth Edition

Could There Be Evils Lurking In Aspartame Consumption? By Christine Lydon, MD http://www.aspartame.com/lydon.htm

The MericleDiet makes it easy to get off of all sweeteners, sodas, candy and sports nutrition. It also makes it easy to get off of any packaged or processed foods that may contain or hide aspartame.

Thanks for your attention.

Copyright (c); John Mericle M.D. 2005 All Rights Reserved

To signup for Dr. Mericle's Newsletter or visit the MericleDiet please click on the link below.

http://www.DrMericle.com

http://DrMericle.com is devoted to achieving optimal health and peak performance through diet and lifestyle change. Dr. Mericle brings together a unique blend of formal training in organic chemistry and biochemistry, medical education, 29 marathons, 3 Hawaii Ironman competitions and a lot of practical real life experience.

What on Earth is an Enzyme?

Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything function, by enabling chemical reactions. All living cells contain enzymes. They are hard to visualize, since they are not something tangible, but they are essential to our bodies and our lives depend on them.

There are many kinds of enzymes, and they do everything from helping us breath to helping begin life at conception. Eighty percent of our DNA code relates to enzymes. But the kind of enzymes discussed here relate to our digestion and the food we eat.

In the process of digestion, the digestive enzymes in our bodies break down food into tiny microscopic parts that the body can use for fuel, growth and repair. One food may take hundreds of different types of enzymes for the body to digest.

Food is naturally filled with enzymes, called ?food enzymes?, that help us to digest that food. The problem is that when we cook or process it, we kill those enzymes. Temperatures over 118 degrees will destroy the enzymes. A good example of this is pineapple, which has some very powerful digestive enzymes in it. These enzymes work so well that when added to gelatin (like Jello), the enzymes won't allow the gelatin to thicken. So they only kind of pineapple you can add to gelatin is canned pineapple, which has been cooked and processed so that all the enzymes have been destroyed. It is now safe to add to gelatin, but not as good for your body.

Our body can manufacture enzymes, called digestive enzymes, in the pancreas. But when we eat a diet that is filled with mostly cooked and processed foods, depleted of enzymes, the pancreas is forced to work much harder than it was meant to, manufacturing the enzymes the body needs to digest these foods.

So the pancreas ends up overworking, and the body spends much needed energy and resources on digestion instead of important things like boosting the immune system, growth, repairs in the body and fighting disease. Even worse, if the pancreas becomes so overworked that it shuts down, then bits of undigested food start floating around the body in the bloodstream, causing all kinds of trouble.

The pancreas can be healed in time, with a diet of raw foods filled with enzymes. This same kind of diet, filled with raw fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, will keep the pancreas from getting that bad to begin with, and will enable the body to spend it?s energy on more important processes like boosting the immune system and fighting disease.

This is why it is so vital that we eat a diet containing lots of fresh enzyme filled raw foods. Especially in the world we live in today, where we are surrounded by poisons and things that cause cancer. We need these wholesome foods now more than humans ever have in the past, to help our bodies stay disease free and functioning properly.

By Dianne Ronnow, (c); 2005 Mohave Publishing. All rights reserved. This article can be found at the Enzyme Health web site at Enzyme-Health.com.

Dianne Ronnow's best selling book reveals how thousands of people are losing weight and getting healthier adding coconut oil to their diets. To find out what the secrets of coconut oil are, Check out her site at: Coconut-Oil-Diet.com. Get the book now and start losing weight today!