Category Archives: Diseases of aging

We need help with a longevity survey

AAladyLOGOWe are getting ready to put together a course “Ten Days to Living Longer” and have been asking folks to take a short survey so we can determine what to include. Folks so far have been saying they are concerned about joints, eyes, cardio, energy levels and memory. If you have a minute (really its just about a minute) could you take the survey too? On the thank you page there is a link so you can get a free download of our ebook “Think and Feel Younger” for your trouble. We will keep you posted on other additions to the survey as they come in.

Click Here for the survey.

 

 

Help for dry mouth

mouthMy neighbor had tongue cancer for which she had surgery and radiation. The upside is that she is cancer free (she also did a lot of adjunct therapy with supplements). The downside is that the radiation wrecked her salivary output so she suffered from dry mouth.

This a condition that three out of every ten adults in the U.S. suffer from. It can be part of the normal aging process, or brought about by smoking, snoring, exposure to environmental irritants, prescription drugs and a side-effect of certain medical conditions in addition to chemo and radiation treatments. If left untreated dry mouth can lead to enamel erosion, tooth loosening, gum disease, and even interrupted sleep.

You have probably seen ads on TV for dry mouth medications or supplements. Some of these have not-so-nice ingredients and many are based on calcium/magnesium and other words you can’t identify. Xylitol is a sweetener used in some that are lozenges. While this is a natural sweetener that is known to affect certain people with anxiety and in my case, caused panic attacks. It did take me a while through an elimination process to target xylitol as the trigger for my panic which I had under control for many years. Too much xylitol over a period of years has also proven to cause tumors. And if your dog gets into it… bye-bye poochy… very lethal.

What my neighbor discovered that worked great was just adding a multi-electrolyte trace mineral supplement to her water. It seems that by adding more than just the calcium and magnesium (her brand had trace elements of copper, manganese, zinc, cobalt, selenium, silica, Iodine, potassium and sodium in it). She has had no dry mouth since she started on this regime. The brand she bought was electroBlast.

If you know of anyone with dry mouth, please let them read this article. In a hurry to get rid of the symptoms they may choose a product that is chemically based and/or has ingredients that may cause other symptoms. Pure electrolyte seem to be the best choice.

PS. Don’t forget to get a FREE e-copy of my new book “Think and Feel Younger” Click Here

Study show D deficiency linked to Macular Degeneration.

Researchers from the University of Buffalo did a study on 913 women age 54-74 on the effects of vitamin D and macular degeneration (Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study). More than half of the group had adequate levels of Vitamin D but the others had inadequate.

The new data published in  JAMA Opthalmology suggested that sufficient levels of vitamin D may help reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in women who are at high genetic risk for the disease. It showed that those in the deficiency group had a 6.7-fold increased chance of developing AMD and two genetic risk markers for the disease. They also explained that dosages of more than 12 ng/ml (1200 iu) didn’t further lower the risk.

JAMA report

Drug alternative for stress.

Widely prescribed by doctors for anxiety and stress is a class of drugs know as benzodiazepines with common brand names like Xanax, Librium, Valium and Ativan. This drug binds to the GABA receptors in the body which treats these conditions but with a list of side effects like drowsiness, lethargy and fatigue. Taking too much can result in impaired motor coordination, dizziness, vertigo, slurred speech, blurry vision and erratic behavior.

So what is the alternative? L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea and some mushrooms, according to studies significantly increases brain activity in the alpha frequency band which is associated with relaxing the mind without inducing drowsiness. Its results in studies, show a reduction in stress indicators within 15 minutes, heart rate reduction, significantly reducing anxiety and reducing blood pressure increases in high-stress response situations. The studies used between 100-200 mg of L-theanine daily. No adverse side-effects were found.

Supplementation with L-theanine also helped mental focus and reduced error rates by improving the processes of filtering out redundant or unnecessary stimuli in the brain from all possible environmental stimuli. Although this is a great alternative to drugs, and if you are currently taking them don’t just stop, but talk to a physician who is tuned in to both drugs and natural supplements.

-excerpted from Supplement Science by Gene Bruno, MS, MHS. Vitamin Retailer August 2015

 

Epigenetics – the ultimate healing answer.

Epigenetics means “control above genetics”. It is the study of how environmental influences, including nutrition, stress and emotions can modify our genes without changing their basic blueprint. And, this change can be passed down through generations. Studies have shown that electromagnetics can be one of these environmental factors as they are 100 times more efficient in relaying information than physical signals such as hormones, neurotransmitters, etc.

Receptor “antennas” on our cells can read vibrational energy fields such as light, sound and radio frequencies and thus can change the biology of our cells which harbor positive and negative  electromagnetic charges of amino acids (protein). These can be altered by the epigenetic factors including electromagnetic fields such as those emanating from cell phones and Wi-Fi. These environmental signals and regulatory proteins are the ones that directs the activity of our genes.

Therefore, when you say you are genetically disposed to a disease that doesn’t mean you will get it. Epigenetics can alter your genetic disposition. Thoughts are vibration and can alter the biology of cells. Negative thoughts are as strong as the negative influence of EMFs from our technological toys. It has been proven in laboratories that belief creates vibrations that alter outcome.

A doctor friend once had a patient who had two personalities. In one he believed he was diabetic and in the second didn’t give it any credence. So, when he changed personalities and they tested him, he had no sign of diabetes! Beware of the vibrations that are altering your cellular function. Even food contains vibrations and microwaving it destroys the energy which the cells can not now use. Negative vibrations from toxins, pesticides, TV news stories, fear, anger, etc. can all effect the outcome of our cellular functioning.

If you want to stay healthy you MUST believe that the biology of vibrations that is the core of epigenetics, can determine your future.

-information extracted in part from The Biology of Belief, Bruce H. Lipton, PhD. (stem cell biologist)

 

Diabetes link to Alzheimer’s

questionSince 2005 evidence has been mounting that Alzheimer’s disease is essentially type-3 diabetes. Theories say that the build-up of beta amyloid plaques in the brain in place of normal brain cells, is key contributor to the development of the disease – and insulin resistance may trigger these plaques to develop. Research also suggests that type-2 diabetics lose more brain mass with age than a healthy individual which may contribute to dementia.

Insulin helps regulate neurotransmitters such as those responsible for memory and learning. Therefore, a drop in insulin levels may impair cognition. Some studies indicated a link between lower insulin levels and the risk of Alzheimer’s. Dallas Clouatre, Ph.D. says “Increased consumption of simple carbohydrates leads to blood brain barrier degradation and subsequently  damage to the hippocampus.”

In reading this article it would seem to prevent insulin resistance, cut down on your carbs and sugars. Also we have found that Phosphatidyserine (PS100) supports good brain function and also our favorites are lecithin, magnesium, electroltyes specifically formulated for the brain (www.electroblast.com) and a good plant source of essential fatty acids (http://foreveryoungcooperative.com/yesefas.html).

*Whole Foods magazine July 2015 “This is your brain on supplements” by Kaylynn Chiarello-Ebner p18

Vitamin D Increases Cancer Survival Length

100px-Pink_ribbon_svgA new study reported a the 2015 American Society of Cancer Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium shows that metastatic colorectal cancer patients who had high levels of vitamin D in their bloodstream prior to chemo survived longer on an average than those who did not.  On the average the groups with the highest levels of vitamin D survived 33% longer and also were associated with longer time to disease progression. Previous studies already showed that vitamin D may play a role in cancer inhibition.

-Whole Foods magazine March 2015 “News Links”

A hidden cause of cardiovascular illness, dementia and fibromylagia.

So I went for my physical and lo and behold I had plaque in my artery – and me a vegetarian and organic food person! In my quest to find out why this had happened I discovered my homocysteine levels were elevated.  What this meant is that high levels can raise heart disease risk independent of other known risk factors.  High levels are also associated with depression, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, age-related macular degeneration and more!

 

I was allergic to sulfur and so was put on a sulfur-free diet and my homocysteine levels came down. My nutritionist instructed me to then take methyl B12 and methyl Folate to help keep the homocysteine levels down and thus hope to reduce the plaque building in my artery. Another tested supplement to reduce homocysteine levels as shown in clinical studies is TMG (trimethylglycine). In clinical studies a daily dose of 6g reduced homocysteine by 15 percent (or a 6-9% reduction in cardiovascular disease). Folic acid reduced levels by 13-25 % with daily doses of 200-800 mcg and adding B12 at 500 mcg/day offered an additional 7% reduction as per clinical studies. These studies also revealed that folate may have a potential role as a supplement to help treat depression.

 

Studies also found that Alzheimer’s patients had higher homocysteine levels than controls, but more research is needed to confirm this. A study on 12 women who had both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome were found to have increased homocysteine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. And other studies found that patients with elevated serum homocysteine and deficiencies in B12 and folate were found to be associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration.

-excerpted from “High Homocysteine Levels and Nutraceutical Treatment” by Gene Bruno, MS, MHS; Vitamin Retailer, Sept. 2014

 

 

FDA Reverses Its Position on Daily Aspirin

By Dr. Mercola – August 2014

If you haven’t had a heart attack, step away from the aspirin bottle… If you are one of the 40 million Americans who take an aspirin every day, you may want to heed the latest warning from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

After many decades of promoting aspirin, the FDA now says that if you have not experienced a heart problem, you should not be taking a daily aspirin—even if you have a family history of heart disease. This represents a significant departure from FDA’s prior position on aspirin for the prevention of heart attacks.

On its website, the FDA now says:

“FDA has concluded that the data do not support the use of aspirin as a preventive medication by people who have not had a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular problems, a use that is called ‘primary prevention.’ In such people, the benefit has not been established but risks — such as dangerous bleeding into the brain or stomach — are still present.”

Aspirin also increases your risk for a brain bleed, especially if you are older. One study found a high mortality rate for elderly individuals who had been taking aspirin prophylactically when they suffered a head trauma, resulting in deadly brain hemorrhage.

 Regular aspirin use also destroys the lining of your gastrointestinal tract, increasing your risk for duodenal ulcers, H. Pylori infection, Crohn’s disease, diverticular disease. Patients taking low-dose aspirin develop gastric ulcers. The damage to your duodenum—the highest part of your intestine into which your stomach contents pass—can result in duodenal ulcers, which are prone to bleeding. Even low-dose aspirin is proven to cause problems.

The Real Key to Protecting Your Heart Is Reducing Chronic Inflammation.

[ed]*Curcumin is one of the best natural anti-inflammatories.                                     ( www.jivasupplements.org )

The cause of many health problems.

If you are afraid of getting arthritis, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer’s irritable bowel, colitis, chronic pain, cancer, metabolic syndrome, stroke and mental problems, then pay attention!

 

All of these stem from an increase in inflammation in the body which can be caused by overdosing of antibiotics, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, too much alcohol, certain medications, poor dental hygiene and stress.  Your body basically misreads information and after the inflammation is through fixing the immediate problem it somehow thinks it can cure everything so never shuts off. This becomes chronic inflammation and is the root cause of many of our illnesses.

 

In addition to changing your lifestyle and trying to reduce stress, you can curb this inflammation response with some supplements. Our favorite is curcumin and for short periods of time, holy basil (long-term use has some warnings with it). Curcumin in addition to being an anti-inflammatory also exhibits antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties. But you have to get the right kind of curcumin as many forms are not easily absorbed into the bloodstream. We like brands with the Curcumin c-3 complex which has clinical trials to support its efficacy.  You can also investigate using tocotrienols (like a super vitamin E) which has shown to regulate inflammation markers and inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines, and has been used in cases of inflammatory bowel disease.

 

Also good are any anti-oxidants that fight free radicals. We take a chewable wafer that contains NT factor which acts on the cellular level to fight free radical damage and get the cells healthy again so they don’t reproduce deformed offspring (a common process that accelerates aging). 

Some suggestions: V&C Energy Wafer (NT factor chews) http://bit.ly/1eGpGsf and

Jiva curcumin/fermented soy capsules http://bit.ly/1buUsWj