[FASTLARRY]

http://www.taylortrader.com/BooksI'veRead/naturalcures.htm

[FASTLARRY]

Kevin Trudeau






Kevin Trudeau
• Consumer Complaints
• Trudeau Defenders
---
News
• Trudeau Sells Customer Names to Junk Mailers
• Judge Refuses to Gag Trudeau Critics
• Consumer Agency Trashes Trudeau's "Natural Cures" Book
• Kevin Trudeau Banned from Infomercials
• Supreme Greens, Coral Calcium Daily Give FTC Indigestion
• Coral Calcium Promoters Face Federal Charges
• Coral Calcium Claims Debunked


Todd of Kingsville, TX (10/4/05):
I am a Registered Nurse and I have had patents quit their medication because of this book. I purchased the book to see if there was any scientific data to support Kevin Trudeau's claims and I believe the book is a bunch of junk.

In addition, three months later I noticed I was being charged $9.95 per month from this company. I called the number on the bank statement and was informed I had to cancel "my subscription" which I never knew I had. What a rip-off!!

Claudia of Phoenix, AZ (8/28/05):
I bought this book following his infomercial over 4 weeks ago. First of all, I have not received the book or been contacted by anyone with the status on the order. Second, my credit card was charged $47.00 for the actual book plus s & h charges, and just a couple of days after I bought it I found it on sale at Costco for $16.00...what a rip off!

What makes me even more upset, is that I can't even find a phone number to contact them. Lesson to be learned here: As consumers we should be suspicious of any websites that do not list a contact phone number.

We will never understand why consumers think a phone number does them any good. Phone calls are not legal notification of anything -- a registered letter is what's called for, along with a little judgment. We;d say Rule #1 should be: Ignore infomercicals.

Cynthia of Laurens SC (7/27/05)
I purchased a book by Kevin Trudeau that tells you cures for any kind of diseases and sicknesses. What a rip-off. You buy the book and then he refers you to his website (naturalcures.com) and wants you to pay again for the information. Or try to sell you more books. I think he needs to give everyone's money back. He needs to be stoped by making money off of people that thinks they can buy something at an inexpensive price that can't afford prescription drugs.

Kathy of Huntington WV (7/26/05):
I called because I was considering buying his "Natural Cures Book" and the telemarketer said I was going to be billed $7.95 a month on my credit card for a monthly newsletter I said I didnt want, then and additional $7.95 a month for a $25 gift card to Target or Walmart. Its a scam, I'm furious! When I said I didn't want the additional things they said I had to buy them anyway and had to call two different numbers to cancel otherwise I would continue to be billed the 2 charges.

Sandy of Pacific WA (6/6/05):
Mr. Trudeau's television infomercials should be stopped completely. He uses misleading claims not backed up in his book "Natural Cures They don't Want You To Know About". After ordering a copy of his book the only thing it did was refer me to his website for "all the wonderful natural cures" but it costs almost $500 to join and receive all of these "so called cures" or $9.95 for a monthly newsletter (without the natural cures listed).

My friend I ordered 2 of these books. Our health is poor and we hoped to find something we could use to help us feel better. Instead we got a worthless book and great disappointment. Also, we have been let down and not protected by the government agency responsible for keeping frauds off the air and television.

Pat of Plano TX (5/20/05):
Kevin Trudeau advertised on TV to buy his book that would give his recommendations on how to naturally handle diseases (e.g. diabetes). As a Juvenile Diabetic I figured it would be worth reading however, there was "NOTHING" regarding what could be used to help my condition. All he keeps saying in the book is that "it's all about the money" of the food industy and pharmaceutical companies but it's "all about the money for him".

He tells you to go to his website for specifics and then there's a charge for this as well, even after I spent $29.99 on the book. I'm glad I looked into complaints on him before I signed up since it seems there's nothing on website even when you spend MORE money. I want my $29.99 back and Kevin Trudeau you should be ashamed of yourself. Next time I buy anything off of an infomercial I'm going to research it before spending the money. He STOLE my money and I want it back!

Actually, Pat, you gave him your money. It's up to you to decide how you spend your funds and look out for your health. If you willingly seek advice about your diabetes from an infomercial instead of from your doctor, you stand to lose a lot more than money.

Anna of Oceanside CA (4/29/05):
On TV Kevin Trudeau says to buy his book to learn how to cure many diseases or ailments. When I received his book he continually refers to his website which is another cost. I feel he does not represent himself correctly on TV. You can NOT read his book for any answers to ailments as he says.

Karen of East Moriches NY (3/29/05):
I recently purchased a book written by Kevin Trudeau that he claimed gave you "home-remedies" that apparently cured all kinds of sicknesses and diseases. However after I read the book, the only thing that I learned was that it was nothing but trash. It gave you no information on curing anything. There was no remedy for anything. The only way to find the information on his "natural cures" is by going on his website (www.naturalcures.com) and paying more money i.e.$9.95 a month. It was just a trap to get you to spend more money.

He claims in his book "that it is all about money" he was right about that. He is the biggest abuser. Conning people into believing his book would have natural cures in it and then not delivering. Unless you wanted to pay more money to access his web site, which may not have any information in it either.

John of Clifton NJ (1/16/05):
$9.95 to ship one book is excessive. Tried to order his book "Natural cures and remedies they don't want you to know about." While trying to place the order, we asked several times for the total amount. We gave our credit card number up front, and they kept trying to sell us other items. We refused stating we only wanted the book, but they kept us on the phone for over 15 minutes. When they told us $9.95 in shipping and handling, we canceled the order.

We don't know if Kevin Trudeau is a rip-off with his claims. We do know it doesn't cost $9.95 to ship one book. This indicates to me the guy is $$ hungry, and not really interested in helping people with his health claims and advice. I believe KT has the right to publish his views in so far as the FTC ruling against him. I understand the book is shipped from NJ, where I live. I suspect the shipping cost would be around $3-4, perhaps to California it would be around $5-6.

Jennifer of Sharon Hill PA (1/12/05):
I purchased a book written by Kevin Trudeau, that he claimed gave you "home-remedies" that apparently cured all kinds of sicknesses and diseases. However when we received the book in the mail, the only thing that I learned from the book was that it was nothing but trash. It gave you no information on curing anything.

It only gave you reasons why you might be sick or fat or unhappy. There was no remedy for anything. The only way to find the information on his natural cures is by going on his website (www.naturalcures.com) and paying $9.95 a month. This guy just wanted to sell a book and he did it. A book full of useless information, and a trap to get you to spend more money.

Robert of Ft. Hood TX (1/8/05):
I had thought this (person) has been banned through the FTC in dealing with InfoMercials. I see him almost daily being broadcast through my Time-Warner Cable. This non-physician makes too many claims with reference to medicine for which he has no degree or affiliations. I think the Federal Gov't needs to better handle ANY organization who airs his program.

Sharon of Marietta GA (1/8/05):
Mr. Trudeau had stated on the program "A Closer Look" with Pat Matthews that his book was not available on the market. While attempting to order the book "Natural Cures" by telephone, the customer service representative was given all my credit card information and then attempted to sell me other items. When I informed her that I only wanted the book she transferred me to her supervisor. The supervisor was abrupt and I advised her that I did not wish to purchase the book because of her poor behavior. The supervisor responded fine and hung up.

Since I did not feel comfortable with her behavior I called back and spoke with another csr named Leah who gave me a 1-847-777-7131 number to call to complain. The csr Heidi who handles complaints was equally as rude and informed me that she could do nothing. My objections are to the misleading information given by Mr. Trudeau that his book is not on the market when it is in fact sold on Amazon and various other sites.

In addition upon further investigation it appears that Mr. Trudeau has had several FTC lawsuits and complaints against him. Why is this person allowed to go on television 1/8/04 and promote his misleading information. Accordingly, it was stated that he was banned from infomercials but he is still advertising and misleading the public. I wish to register my objection to all known entities.

Kim of Mount Pleasant TN (1/5/05):
My husband ordered a book for me -- "Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About" -- since he has been battling cancer for the last two years. This book was supposed to be filled with answers and natural cures. Instead, it tells you to go to his website. You go there and they want you to pay to join and get information. Whar a crock.

There was nothing in the book that wasn't on the show he was on. I would like to know how to get our money back. Maybe people like him think this is a joke but it is not a joke to someone who has cancer and is willing to try something new to stay healthy.

Angie of Flower Mound TX (12/30/04):
Twice this week I have seen infomercials for this book with Mr. Trudeau making his claims on A Closer Look. A time counter and phone number to order the book for $29.95 were on the screen. I can't remember which channel it was here in Flower Mound (Dallas area), TX, but it was on basic reception in the first 12 channels. I went to the internet to try to find the book and found several on Ebay's half.com. When the price was almost $29 used, I began my search on google. This is when I discovered your article that says this infomercial is banned. I almost bought this! Please get this off the network!

Paul of Bartlett TN (11/21/04):
Kevin Trudeau got me. Never believe a 72-year-old senior with a 139 IQ can't be had. What's worse, he used the same approach I used when I was courting females, years and years ago. It always worked then and it still works now as evidenced by my purchase of his book on Natural Cures. Yes, I actually bought the damn book and all it did was try to sell me more books.

But his method was very effective as I said, I used it myself. Here's how it works. Try it yourself. You tell the person lots and lots of things they know are true and pretend you're amazed they are smart enough to realize this. Then, carefully, slip in some tainted information you want them to accept and bingo, they naturally think this is true too because you have said so much other stuff that is true. Very very effective. Am so ashamed of my stupidity I would never try to prosecute as I don't believe it is a crime to make a fool of another person, but sure am (angry) that I have been had while thinking I was so damned smart.

Donna of Russell KY (11/11/04):
We were promised if we bought 10 bottles of coral calcium we would receive Kevin's new book. We never received the book, said it was on backorder. Now he is selling it on TV. I called, they said they would send a book. Never came. Called again said they couldn't send book, the one promised was a mistake and they would be refunding the $100 for the calcium. Made no sense, and have received neither. What can I do?

What can Donna do? She can stop sending money to people who advertise "secret" miracle cures.

[FASTLARRY]

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Hypertension is typically a hybrid of physiological, emotional and mental factors. Physiologically, hypertension is often aggravated by atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis, obesity and drug abuse (including cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine). Emotionally and mentally, hypertension normally occurs in persons with stressful lifestyles, characterized by worry, hurry and flurry. You can see to reduce blood cholesterol levels with drugs like Lipitor, anxiety with Zoloft. You must back off and chill out. You must relax and stop being a type A person and learn to be a laid back type B new person if you want to live long. If you do not, you will die young.

It is vital you achieve 8 hours or uninterrupted sleep that puts you into deep reem sleeps and dreams. If you can not achieve this, see your doctor for Lunesta sleep aids.

You can learn how to meditate and how to relax through hypnosis. Help on that is soon coming to my website www.fastlarrypool.com. Several times a day just close your eyes and deep breathe.
You must beat hypertension; nervous anxiety and the stress of modern living will find this formulation a valuable adjunct to their lifestyles....and their health. Losing weight, cutting back dramatically on caffeine and booze and stop smoking. So you must eat right, exercise daily and drink water, lots of water.

You absolutely must drink 8 glasses of water every day. An exercise program will provide healthful results. You must have a very healthy diet with a lot of veggies. I take Potassium and have removed all salt shakers. I never put salt on anything. You must avoid foods or snacks with salt on them like chips or soups. Most people when they reach middle age are going to require some medical help with drugs or blood pressure medicines in order to maintain safe healthy levels. When you age, your pulse rate and your blood pressure climbs along with your weight. High blood pressure can simply exhaust you and make you life miserable. It is the silent killer and can lead to a stroke.

There are some who feel herbal natural products, or vitamins can help. Your doctor will only spend 15 minutes with you. He makes money writing prescriptions, he is a drug pusher for the billion dollar drug companies which give him a cut plus free ski vacations to Vale. He makes no money teaching you natural cures which is why he does not. He writes prescriptions for the drug companies who are wining and dining him. That is where all those free samples come from.
CAYENNE is primarily a kind of catalyst in the blood purification process. Cayenne has positive effects on circulation, the heart, the stomach, and all other systems of the body. But it is not usually thought of as a tonic. It is generally considered a carminative (expelling gas from the stomach & intestines) and a stimulant. The stimulant property, however, is so prevalent that increased tonus of nerves & glands is a major end result of its action. It stimulates the vital organs to greater activity levels, and promotes cardiovascular efficiency, while lowering overall blood pressure. Additionally, Cayenne acts directly as a diaphoretic, stimulating excretion of wastes in the sweat. By increasing the circulation of blood to peripheral tissues, Cayenne helps ensure that nutrients (including those obtained from this and other herbal preparations) are effectively delivered to inflamed and infected areas. Cayenne also helps regulate cholesterol and lipid levels. In the carefully measured amounts, Cayenne will slowly eat away cholesterol deposits and provide relief from concurrent hypertension.
CELERY contains a naturally occurring chemical called "apigenin" which has been shown to dilate the blood vessels and contribute to preventing high blood pressure. Although celery is especially high in sodium (and people with high blood pressure are typically put on low-sodium diets), celery seems to lower blood pressure. This was discovered by a medical student at the University Of Chicago Medical Center whose father was diagnosed with mild hypertension. Instead of reducing sodium intake, or taking drugs, the father was given a quarter pound of celery to eat each day. After a week, his blood pressure dropped from 158/96 to 118/82. This observation led to further study that found very small amounts of a chemical in celery called 3-n-butyl phtalide which lowered blood pressure (by relaxing the smooth muscles that line the blood vessels) in rats by 12%-14% and also lowered cholesterol by about 7%.
GARLIC has diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, and stimulant properties. Many marvelous effects and healing powers have been ascribed to Garlic. It possesses stimulant and stomachic properties in addition to its other virtues as a vermifuge. As an antiseptic, its use has long been recognized.
GINGER ROOT is derived from the tuberous rhizome (underground root) of the perennial plant Zingiber officinale. Also referred to as Ginger, African Ginger, Jamaican Ginger, or Cochin Ginger, Ginger Root has been used as a spice, condiment and flavoring agent. Ginger Root has been the subject of intense research for many years, and is the primary active ingredient in several VHS formulations. Ginger has proven to be amazingly effective in treatment of numerous types of nausea, including motion sickness, morning sickness, dizziness & vertigo, and stomach flu. Ginger is derived from the tuberous rhizome (underground root) of the perennial plant Zingiber officinale. For nearly 2,500 years, Ginger has played an important role in Asian medicine as a folk remedy to promote cleansing of the body through perspiration, to calm nausea, and to stimulate the appetite. Ginger tea was also used as a carminative (agent which expels gas from the intestines) and in the symptomatic treatment of colds when given at their onset. It has been used in China and other countries for many years as a tonic. Ginger Root is a time-proven remedy. Ancient Indians used it to treat digestive problems, and as a spiritual and physical cleanser. Circa 3000, B.C., the Chinese used it for colds, fever, chills, tetanus, and leprosy. Chinese sailors chewed on Ginger root to combat seasickness. Chinese women drank ginger tea to alleviate the onset of the menstrual period and other female discomforts. The Chinese also considered Ginger Root to be an antidote to shellfish poisoning, explaining why it is found in so many seafood dishes. The Greeks, after a large meal, wrapped bread around a piece of ginger, and ate it to ease indigestion. This gave rise to ginger bread. In England, ginger was added to beer, forerunner to ginger ale, as a remedy for diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Ginger is also a circulatory stimulant, relaxes peripheral blood vessels, promotes sweating, eases cold symptoms, stimulates the flow of saliva, soothes a sore throat, and is an expectorant and antiseptic. Ginger contains gingerol, a Ginger oleoresin (combination of volatile oils and resin) that accounts for the characteristic aroma of Ginger, and explains its therapeutic properties. Components of gingerol (zingiberone, bisabolene, camphene, geranial, linalool and borneol) have recently been studied and found to possess beneficial properties for the treatment of poor digestion, heartburn, vomiting and preventing motion sickness. Ginger also contains moderate amounts of protein, calcium, phosphorous, iron, sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
GINSENG is the ultimate example of man's almost mystical interaction with nature. Ginseng plays the central role in a good deal of Chinese mythology, medicine, commerce and trade. For Western man, the economic value of Ginseng outweighed its medicinal value until the past 15 years or so, during which time extensive research on the plant has grown explosively, and has tended to verify and extend the various medicinal claims. Ginseng is, of course, the famous Asiatic tonic that has been shown in numerous studies to affect mental and physical behavior. Ginseng has been found to protect the body & nervous system from stress, stimulate & increase metabolic function, increase physical & mental efficiency, lower blood pressure & glucose levels when they are high, and raise them (blood pressure & glucose levels) when they are low, increase gastrointestinal movement & tone, increase iron metabolism, and cause changes in nucleic acid (RNA) biosynthesis. In geriatric use, Ginseng has been proven beneficial in restoring mental abilities. Ginseng also helps by directly affecting the adrenal-pituitary axis, the result of which is manifested by an increased resistance to the effects of stress. This herb also aids mental function by improving circulation. Animal studies have clearly demonstrated Ginseng's ability to help the learning process. Ginseng has also been found to stimulate the central nervous system in small amounts, and depress the central nervous system in large doses.
NATURAL WAYS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE - Part 1
By Dr. Jerry Lee Hoover N.D.

What causes high blood pressure? High blood pressure is largely self-induced by the way we live.
I believe there are mainly four major factors which cause high blood pressure. They are: Insufficient water, lack of exercise, poor diet and stress. In this article I will be covering insufficient water and lack of exercise. In the next article I will cover diet and in a future article I will be doing a two part series on stress.

Insufficient water is one major cause of High blood pressure. The heart is a four chamber pump and its job is to circulate the blood throughout the body. Our blood is 78% water and when we do not drink a sufficient amount of water our body becomes dehydrated and our blood becomes thicker from lack of water. This thicker blood causes the heart to have to work harder, causing the blood pressure to rise, as thicker blood is much harder to circulate throughout the body.

This poor circulation not only raises the blood pressure but also affects all parts of the body, the heart, kidneys, feet, eyes, etc. Most people have heard that we need 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, but this is not always accurate. So how much do we need? It depends upon how much you weigh. You take your weight, (example 160 lbs), divide it in half and that is how many ounces of water a sedentary person needs per day. So a 160 lb. person would need ten 8 ounce glasses.

Many individuals take an aspirin everyday to help lower their pressure as the aspirin thins the blood. But an aspirin also has many side affects that can be harmful to your stomach, liver, kidneys, eyes, etc.

A better way to thin your blood naturally is by drinking a sufficient amount of water.

Lack of Exercise is another major factor causing high blood pressure. Exercise will strengthen the heart and will improve the tone of your muscles and blood vessels changing them from weak and flabby tissue to strong and firm tissue.

This will increase the efficiency of your heart and blood vessels helping to lower your blood pressure. Those who do not exercise have twice the risk of developing heart disease than those who exercise regularly. Walking outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine is one of the simplest, safest and best all around exercises one can do and it does not require expensive equipment.

Low impact exercises such as walking, cycling, and swimming are more beneficial than high impact exercises such as jogging or weight lifting. Mounting scientific data has shown that jogging and other strenuous exercise is no better for your health then moderate regular exercise.

Exercise in a gym or health spa can not take the place of exercise outside in the fresh air and sunshine. Most gyms are so ill-ventilated that it would be like exercising in a dirty tennis shoe
High blood pressure is largely self-induced by the way we live. I believe there are mainly four major factors which cause high blood pressure. They are insufficient water and lack of exercise; (which was covered in part I), Poor diet (part II), and stress which will be covered in a future two part series.

A poor diet is one of the major causes of high blood pressure. We are what we eat and most Americans eat all the wrong types of foods. They consume large amounts of meat, dairy products, (such as milk, cheese & ice cream) and eggs. These foods can lead to high blood pressure as they all contain cholesterol. Our bodies produce cholesterol and when we consume large amounts of extra cholesterol as found in meat, dairy products & eggs our bodies have a hard time eliminating all this excess cholesterol and it can cause arterial plaque build up on the artery walls causing high blood pressure. We need to be consuming more protein foods such as beans, nuts, soy products and grains as these contain no cholesterol and are high in fiber which helps to lower cholesterol.

What about salt? Recent studies have shown that salt is only a minor issue in high blood pressure. Although salt restrictions may lower blood pressure a few points a growing number of authorities on this subject say about 10% of the population would benefit from this.

Fats contribute to high blood pressure in a far greater degree then the use of salt. A high fat diet can cause high blood pressure. Over 60% of all Americans are overweight. Every pound of excess fat contains approximately 200 miles of capillaries through which the heart has to push blood. We need to cut down on foods high in fat content. For example; all fried foods, such as French fries, have a high fat content since all oils are 100% fat. Dairy, butter and margarine are also high in fat.

Foods that lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that foods high in potassium helps lower blood pressure. Potassium rich foods are bananas, apples, melons, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. There is one food that dramatically lowers blood pressure and that food is raw garlic. You can use it in salads or if you are real brave and do not want anyone around you, just eat it by itself.

A simple way I encourage my patients to get the garlic down is to take one or two cloves blended in a blender with a small amount of water or juice.
The table below shows blood pressures for healthy individuals over 18yrs of age. Individuals with chronic diseases such as, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease, usually have lower targets for defining normal blood pressure.
Category Systolic Diastolic
Optimal Below 120 Below 80
Normal Below 135 Below 85
High-normal 135-139 85-89
Hypertension:
Stage 1 140-149 90-99
Stage 2 150-179 100-109
Stage 3 above 180 above 110
Low Blood Pressure
What is your "recipe" of cause and cure?
It is estimated one in ten people suffer low blood pressure and it is a problem that is difficult to overcome. In my efforts to assist people suffering the dizziness, digestive inadequacies, fatigue and mood swings associated with this condition, I offer the following information.
Low blood pressure has two "primary" causes
Low blood pressure is caused by two primary factors and a number of secondary considerations. The primary causes:-
1. The ectomorph body type. There are three different types of the human body, of which the ectomorph type has a nerve hormonal response that easily develops low blood pressure, particularly during stress. Among other things, Blood flow exercising can minimize this problem.
2. Inability to absorb and regulate sodium. The second "primary" cause is, (1) if the adrenal glands aren't storing and releasing hormones correctly and (2) the kidneys and (3) bladder are not regulating the body's content and use of sodium, low blood pressure can result. These three factors must be rectified and specific "inner" relaxation exercises, hot/cold bath treatments and adrenal relaxation before bed, and herbs, can often do the trick.
Low blood pressure has several secondary causes
Low blood pressure can also often be associated with several other circumstances such as farm chemicals, poor tap water due to deteriorating pipes, long term use of pharmaceutical drugs and emotional disturbances.
When low blood pressure is accompanied with severe side effects including depression or mood swings, lack of R.E.M. sleep will be a definite contributing factor. R.E.M. stands for "Rapid Eye Movement" which is our only true time of nerve and body healing.
We are not consciously aware if we are lacking R.E.M. Sleep
Even though we may fall asleep easily, many people do not achieve the deep healing stage of R.E.M. Sleep which is always the case with the "on edge" or depressed personality and if asked, they would say, they don't have a sleep problem. The only way to tell if a person is not achieving R.E.M. Sleep is, there will be a loss of energy around one or two o'clock in the afternoon of the following day and the tongue will be covered with little pin dots.
Some people who lack R.E.M. Sleep will experience high blood pressure and others, particularly the ectomorph body type, will experience low blood pressure. Low self-esteem is also sometimes associated with low blood pressure and believe it or not, working on this can help minimize the hormonal aspect of the problem but other things need to be addressed as well.
Breathing exercises, adrenal relaxation exercises and Ginkgo Biloba is a good start to finding the "recipe" of cure
An exercise called "expansion pullovers" is one way to help improve low blood pressure as they assist the nerves and R.E.M. Sleep, and adrenal relaxation in a hot bath also helps however the best approach is to find the "personal" recipe of all factors involved. Each person suffering low blood pressure experiences a different set of lifestyle circumstance and has different health deficiencies and body weaknesses that "all" need to be considered.
Low blood pressure can be confusing, as different people respond to different treatments which are due to the variations in this "recipe" of causation. Some people report an advantage by going off dairy and switching to soy products and others gain an advantage with royal jelly or certain herbs such as Ginkgo Biloba or Penny Wort. In some instances, if the blood is full of toxins, none of these herbs etc, will promote improvement, which is why some low blood pressure sufferers may not gain positive result from products other sufferers respond well to.

[FASTLARRY]

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Hypertension is typically a hybrid of physiological, emotional and mental factors. Physiologically, hypertension is often aggravated by atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis, obesity and drug abuse (including cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine). Emotionally and mentally, hypertension normally occurs in persons with stressful lifestyles, characterized by worry, hurry and flurry. You can see to reduce blood cholesterol levels with drugs like Lipitor, anxiety with Zoloft. You must back off and chill out. You must relax and stop being a type A person and learn to be a laid back type B new person if you want to live long. If you do not, you will die young.

It is vital you achieve 8 hours or uninterrupted sleep that puts you into deep reem sleeps and dreams. If you can not achieve this, see your doctor for Lunesta sleep aids.

You can learn how to meditate and how to relax through hypnosis. Help on that is soon coming to my website www.fastlarrypool.com. Several times a day just close your eyes and deep breathe.
You must beat hypertension; nervous anxiety and the stress of modern living will find this formulation a valuable adjunct to their lifestyles....and their health. Losing weight, cutting back dramatically on caffeine and booze and stop smoking. So you must eat right, exercise daily and drink water, lots of water.

You absolutely must drink 8 glasses of water every day. An exercise program will provide healthful results. You must have a very healthy diet with a lot of veggies. I take Potassium and have removed all salt shakers. I never put salt on anything. You must avoid foods or snacks with salt on them like chips or soups. Most people when they reach middle age are going to require some medical help with drugs or blood pressure medicines in order to maintain safe healthy levels. When you age, your pulse rate and your blood pressure climbs along with your weight. High blood pressure can simply exhaust you and make you life miserable. It is the silent killer and can lead to a stroke.

There are some who feel herbal natural products, or vitamins can help. Your doctor will only spend 15 minutes with you. He makes money writing prescriptions, he is a drug pusher for the billion dollar drug companies which give him a cut plus free ski vacations to Vale. He makes no money teaching you natural cures which is why he does not. He writes prescriptions for the drug companies who are wining and dining him. That is where all those free samples come from.
CAYENNE is primarily a kind of catalyst in the blood purification process. Cayenne has positive effects on circulation, the heart, the stomach, and all other systems of the body. But it is not usually thought of as a tonic. It is generally considered a carminative (expelling gas from the stomach & intestines) and a stimulant. The stimulant property, however, is so prevalent that increased tonus of nerves & glands is a major end result of its action. It stimulates the vital organs to greater activity levels, and promotes cardiovascular efficiency, while lowering overall blood pressure. Additionally, Cayenne acts directly as a diaphoretic, stimulating excretion of wastes in the sweat. By increasing the circulation of blood to peripheral tissues, Cayenne helps ensure that nutrients (including those obtained from this and other herbal preparations) are effectively delivered to inflamed and infected areas. Cayenne also helps regulate cholesterol and lipid levels. In the carefully measured amounts, Cayenne will slowly eat away cholesterol deposits and provide relief from concurrent hypertension.
CELERY contains a naturally occurring chemical called "apigenin" which has been shown to dilate the blood vessels and contribute to preventing high blood pressure. Although celery is especially high in sodium (and people with high blood pressure are typically put on low-sodium diets), celery seems to lower blood pressure. This was discovered by a medical student at the University Of Chicago Medical Center whose father was diagnosed with mild hypertension. Instead of reducing sodium intake, or taking drugs, the father was given a quarter pound of celery to eat each day. After a week, his blood pressure dropped from 158/96 to 118/82. This observation led to further study that found very small amounts of a chemical in celery called 3-n-butyl phtalide which lowered blood pressure (by relaxing the smooth muscles that line the blood vessels) in rats by 12%-14% and also lowered cholesterol by about 7%.
GARLIC has diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, and stimulant properties. Many marvelous effects and healing powers have been ascribed to Garlic. It possesses stimulant and stomachic properties in addition to its other virtues as a vermifuge. As an antiseptic, its use has long been recognized.
GINGER ROOT is derived from the tuberous rhizome (underground root) of the perennial plant Zingiber officinale. Also referred to as Ginger, African Ginger, Jamaican Ginger, or Cochin Ginger, Ginger Root has been used as a spice, condiment and flavoring agent. Ginger Root has been the subject of intense research for many years, and is the primary active ingredient in several VHS formulations. Ginger has proven to be amazingly effective in treatment of numerous types of nausea, including motion sickness, morning sickness, dizziness & vertigo, and stomach flu. Ginger is derived from the tuberous rhizome (underground root) of the perennial plant Zingiber officinale. For nearly 2,500 years, Ginger has played an important role in Asian medicine as a folk remedy to promote cleansing of the body through perspiration, to calm nausea, and to stimulate the appetite. Ginger tea was also used as a carminative (agent which expels gas from the intestines) and in the symptomatic treatment of colds when given at their onset. It has been used in China and other countries for many years as a tonic. Ginger Root is a time-proven remedy. Ancient Indians used it to treat digestive problems, and as a spiritual and physical cleanser. Circa 3000, B.C., the Chinese used it for colds, fever, chills, tetanus, and leprosy. Chinese sailors chewed on Ginger root to combat seasickness. Chinese women drank ginger tea to alleviate the onset of the menstrual period and other female discomforts. The Chinese also considered Ginger Root to be an antidote to shellfish poisoning, explaining why it is found in so many seafood dishes. The Greeks, after a large meal, wrapped bread around a piece of ginger, and ate it to ease indigestion. This gave rise to ginger bread. In England, ginger was added to beer, forerunner to ginger ale, as a remedy for diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Ginger is also a circulatory stimulant, relaxes peripheral blood vessels, promotes sweating, eases cold symptoms, stimulates the flow of saliva, soothes a sore throat, and is an expectorant and antiseptic. Ginger contains gingerol, a Ginger oleoresin (combination of volatile oils and resin) that accounts for the characteristic aroma of Ginger, and explains its therapeutic properties. Components of gingerol (zingiberone, bisabolene, camphene, geranial, linalool and borneol) have recently been studied and found to possess beneficial properties for the treatment of poor digestion, heartburn, vomiting and preventing motion sickness. Ginger also contains moderate amounts of protein, calcium, phosphorous, iron, sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
GINSENG is the ultimate example of man's almost mystical interaction with nature. Ginseng plays the central role in a good deal of Chinese mythology, medicine, commerce and trade. For Western man, the economic value of Ginseng outweighed its medicinal value until the past 15 years or so, during which time extensive research on the plant has grown explosively, and has tended to verify and extend the various medicinal claims. Ginseng is, of course, the famous Asiatic tonic that has been shown in numerous studies to affect mental and physical behavior. Ginseng has been found to protect the body & nervous system from stress, stimulate & increase metabolic function, increase physical & mental efficiency, lower blood pressure & glucose levels when they are high, and raise them (blood pressure & glucose levels) when they are low, increase gastrointestinal movement & tone, increase iron metabolism, and cause changes in nucleic acid (RNA) biosynthesis. In geriatric use, Ginseng has been proven beneficial in restoring mental abilities. Ginseng also helps by directly affecting the adrenal-pituitary axis, the result of which is manifested by an increased resistance to the effects of stress. This herb also aids mental function by improving circulation. Animal studies have clearly demonstrated Ginseng's ability to help the learning process. Ginseng has also been found to stimulate the central nervous system in small amounts, and depress the central nervous system in large doses.
NATURAL WAYS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE - Part 1
By Dr. Jerry Lee Hoover N.D.

What causes high blood pressure? High blood pressure is largely self-induced by the way we live.
I believe there are mainly four major factors which cause high blood pressure. They are: Insufficient water, lack of exercise, poor diet and stress. In this article I will be covering insufficient water and lack of exercise. In the next article I will cover diet and in a future article I will be doing a two part series on stress.

Insufficient water is one major cause of High blood pressure. The heart is a four chamber pump and its job is to circulate the blood throughout the body. Our blood is 78% water and when we do not drink a sufficient amount of water our body becomes dehydrated and our blood becomes thicker from lack of water. This thicker blood causes the heart to have to work harder, causing the blood pressure to rise, as thicker blood is much harder to circulate throughout the body.

This poor circulation not only raises the blood pressure but also affects all parts of the body, the heart, kidneys, feet, eyes, etc. Most people have heard that we need 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, but this is not always accurate. So how much do we need? It depends upon how much you weigh. You take your weight, (example 160 lbs), divide it in half and that is how many ounces of water a sedentary person needs per day. So a 160 lb. person would need ten 8 ounce glasses.

Many individuals take an aspirin everyday to help lower their pressure as the aspirin thins the blood. But an aspirin also has many side affects that can be harmful to your stomach, liver, kidneys, eyes, etc.

A better way to thin your blood naturally is by drinking a sufficient amount of water.

Lack of Exercise is another major factor causing high blood pressure. Exercise will strengthen the heart and will improve the tone of your muscles and blood vessels changing them from weak and flabby tissue to strong and firm tissue.

This will increase the efficiency of your heart and blood vessels helping to lower your blood pressure. Those who do not exercise have twice the risk of developing heart disease than those who exercise regularly. Walking outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine is one of the simplest, safest and best all around exercises one can do and it does not require expensive equipment.

Low impact exercises such as walking, cycling, and swimming are more beneficial than high impact exercises such as jogging or weight lifting. Mounting scientific data has shown that jogging and other strenuous exercise is no better for your health then moderate regular exercise.

Exercise in a gym or health spa can not take the place of exercise outside in the fresh air and sunshine. Most gyms are so ill-ventilated that it would be like exercising in a dirty tennis shoe
High blood pressure is largely self-induced by the way we live. I believe there are mainly four major factors which cause high blood pressure. They are insufficient water and lack of exercise; (which was covered in part I), Poor diet (part II), and stress which will be covered in a future two part series.

A poor diet is one of the major causes of high blood pressure. We are what we eat and most Americans eat all the wrong types of foods. They consume large amounts of meat, dairy products, (such as milk, cheese & ice cream) and eggs. These foods can lead to high blood pressure as they all contain cholesterol. Our bodies produce cholesterol and when we consume large amounts of extra cholesterol as found in meat, dairy products & eggs our bodies have a hard time eliminating all this excess cholesterol and it can cause arterial plaque build up on the artery walls causing high blood pressure. We need to be consuming more protein foods such as beans, nuts, soy products and grains as these contain no cholesterol and are high in fiber which helps to lower cholesterol.

What about salt? Recent studies have shown that salt is only a minor issue in high blood pressure. Although salt restrictions may lower blood pressure a few points a growing number of authorities on this subject say about 10% of the population would benefit from this.

Fats contribute to high blood pressure in a far greater degree then the use of salt. A high fat diet can cause high blood pressure. Over 60% of all Americans are overweight. Every pound of excess fat contains approximately 200 miles of capillaries through which the heart has to push blood. We need to cut down on foods high in fat content. For example; all fried foods, such as French fries, have a high fat content since all oils are 100% fat. Dairy, butter and margarine are also high in fat.

Foods that lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that foods high in potassium helps lower blood pressure. Potassium rich foods are bananas, apples, melons, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. There is one food that dramatically lowers blood pressure and that food is raw garlic. You can use it in salads or if you are real brave and do not want anyone around you, just eat it by itself.

A simple way I encourage my patients to get the garlic down is to take one or two cloves blended in a blender with a small amount of water or juice.
The table below shows blood pressures for healthy individuals over 18yrs of age. Individuals with chronic diseases such as, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease, usually have lower targets for defining normal blood pressure.
Category Systolic Diastolic
Optimal Below 120 Below 80
Normal Below 135 Below 85
High-normal 135-139 85-89
Hypertension:
Stage 1 140-149 90-99
Stage 2 150-179 100-109
Stage 3 above 180 above 110
Low Blood Pressure
What is your "recipe" of cause and cure?
It is estimated one in ten people suffer low blood pressure and it is a problem that is difficult to overcome. In my efforts to assist people suffering the dizziness, digestive inadequacies, fatigue and mood swings associated with this condition, I offer the following information.
Low blood pressure has two "primary" causes
Low blood pressure is caused by two primary factors and a number of secondary considerations. The primary causes:-
1. The ectomorph body type. There are three different types of the human body, of which the ectomorph type has a nerve hormonal response that easily develops low blood pressure, particularly during stress. Among other things, Blood flow exercising can minimize this problem.
2. Inability to absorb and regulate sodium. The second "primary" cause is, (1) if the adrenal glands aren't storing and releasing hormones correctly and (2) the kidneys and (3) bladder are not regulating the body's content and use of sodium, low blood pressure can result. These three factors must be rectified and specific "inner" relaxation exercises, hot/cold bath treatments and adrenal relaxation before bed, and herbs, can often do the trick.
Low blood pressure has several secondary causes
Low blood pressure can also often be associated with several other circumstances such as farm chemicals, poor tap water due to deteriorating pipes, long term use of pharmaceutical drugs and emotional disturbances.
When low blood pressure is accompanied with severe side effects including depression or mood swings, lack of R.E.M. sleep will be a definite contributing factor. R.E.M. stands for "Rapid Eye Movement" which is our only true time of nerve and body healing.
We are not consciously aware if we are lacking R.E.M. Sleep
Even though we may fall asleep easily, many people do not achieve the deep healing stage of R.E.M. Sleep which is always the case with the "on edge" or depressed personality and if asked, they would say, they don't have a sleep problem. The only way to tell if a person is not achieving R.E.M. Sleep is, there will be a loss of energy around one or two o'clock in the afternoon of the following day and the tongue will be covered with little pin dots.
Some people who lack R.E.M. Sleep will experience high blood pressure and others, particularly the ectomorph body type, will experience low blood pressure. Low self-esteem is also sometimes associated with low blood pressure and believe it or not, working on this can help minimize the hormonal aspect of the problem but other things need to be addressed as well.
Breathing exercises, adrenal relaxation exercises and Ginkgo Biloba is a good start to finding the "recipe" of cure
An exercise called "expansion pullovers" is one way to help improve low blood pressure as they assist the nerves and R.E.M. Sleep, and adrenal relaxation in a hot bath also helps however the best approach is to find the "personal" recipe of all factors involved. Each person suffering low blood pressure experiences a different set of lifestyle circumstance and has different health deficiencies and body weaknesses that "all" need to be considered.
Low blood pressure can be confusing, as different people respond to different treatments which are due to the variations in this "recipe" of causation. Some people report an advantage by going off dairy and switching to soy products and others gain an advantage with royal jelly or certain herbs such as Ginkgo Biloba or Penny Wort. In some instances, if the blood is full of toxins, none of these herbs etc, will promote improvement, which is why some low blood pressure sufferers may not gain positive result from products other sufferers respond well to.

[FASTLARRY]

ARTHRITIS



Arthritis Diet Remedies: Fact or Folklore? Eat white raisens.
Arthritis sufferers have been trying for centuries to rid themselves of their debilitating pain. They have covered themselves in cow manure twice a day, stood naked under a full moon, kept two sesame seeds in their navel overnight while sleeping, worn radioactive devices, endured scores of bee stings, tolerated venoms of snakes, and recently have even rubbed on the mechanical lubricant WD-40. If these measures helped, it was probably because the sufferers wanted them to so desperately. Some scientists today credit such a "placebo effect" with the pain relief gained from special arthritis diets. Others believe dietary manipulation can truly ease pain; but even they say we need more long-term scientific studies.
Nearly one in six, or 43 million Americans, suffers from the more than 100 types of arthritis, making it one of the most common diseases in the United States. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of the disease, afflicts more than 21 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis plagues about 2 million more. The Arthritis Foundation has warned that, as the average age of the U.S. population rises, arthritis could become the epidemic of the future. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) project that by the year 2020, arthritis will affect nearly 60 million Americans.
Even though "arth" means joint and "itis" means inflammation, some types of arthritis don't involve inflammation or the joints. One type, ankylosing spondylitis, involves inflamed ligaments attached to the bone. Lupus, another type of arthritis, is a connective tissue disease. Osteoarthritis, the most common type, is the result of a breakdown of cartilage in the joint; rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves an inflamed joint membrane; and gout involves deposits of uric acid crystals in the joint fluid.

How Arthritis Disables the Joints

Normal joint: Where two bones meet, our bodies normally provide a simple and effective lubricating system. Ligaments binding the bones together form a capsule within which a thin membrane called the synovium exudes a fluid lubricant. For good measure, the ends of both bones are cushioned by a smooth layer of cartilage.
Osteoarthritis: In this form of arthritis, trouble begins when the protective cushion of cartilage between the bones slowly degenerates. As it disappears, the synovium and the ends of the bones thicken within the joint, leading to the aching stiffness that characterizes the disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis: The culprit here is the synovium, which for unknown reasons becomes swollen and inflamed, leading to irreversible damage to the joint's capsule and protective cartilage. Eventually the unprotected ends of the bones themselves begin to erode.

Inflammation—heat, swelling, pain, redness and/or loss of motion—is the common link between most of the more than 100 types of arthritis. Scientists are just beginning to understand the inflammatory process. They know that it begins with a trigger such as an infection or tissue damage. In response to this trigger, white blood cells rush to the affected area and release chemicals to begin the repair process. Among them are prostaglandins —which can both reduce and promote swelling, and leukotrienes—which quickly intensify inflammation. The white blood cells also release digestive enzymes to remove bacteria and other foreign agents in the area. The white cells recognize these invaders as antigens and focus their attack on them. However, the enzymes the white cells release can also digest cartilage, bone, ligaments, muscle, and other tissues. In inflammatory rheumatic diseases like arthritis, this attack on the tissues becomes chronic.
Gut Reactions: Diet and the Inflammatory Process
So how could diet become involved in this process? There does seem to be a connection between joint inflammation and stomach inflammation, although it has yet to be fully explained. Some scientists speculate that the trouble may start in the intestines, where foreign antigens can slip through the layer of mucus coating the intestinal wall, enter the bloodstream, and travel to a joint. The presence of antigens there attracts the white blood cells that launch the inflammatory process.
If these invading antigens are byproducts of a particular food to which you are allergic or sensitive, eliminating it from your diet could reduce swelling in the joint and cut down on arthritis pain. However, very few people have a true food allergy. Another explanation offered is the presence of lectins, food molecules that can act like antigens. Recent studies in both the British Journal of Rheumatology, and the British Journal of Nutrition point out that many foods commonly mentioned in discussions of food allergy, such as peanuts, beans, peas, lentils, barley, rye, oats, corn, and wheat, are particularly rich in lectins. Lectins are known to cause changes in the wall of the digestive tract that can allow inflammatory antigens to leak into the system and perhaps trigger rheumatoid arthritis. However, the studies' authors agree that more research on the effects of lectin-rich vs. lectin-free diets is needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.
These researchers also suggest that arthritis patients may experience a greater transfer of antigens through the intestinal wall because of damage to the intestinal lining from the prescription medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that many arthritis sufferers take. They say that dietary manipulation, including fasting for short periods of time, could reduce the number of antigens available to breach the intestinal lining.
The two researchers doubt that the placebo effect is the only explanation why many arthritis sufferers are helped by changing their diet. They believe that hope provided by a new therapy can buoy patients enough for them to believe their pain has been mitigated, but that it is "insufficient to explain significant improvement" seen in the available studies. Furthermore, if a placebo effect were responsible for the improvements, one would expect them to be temporary. But this, they say, is not always the case.
Other specialists take an entirely different point of view about dietary therapy for arthritis. Cody K. Wasner, MD, a practicing rheumatologist and former chairman of the Arthritis Foundation's Committee on Alternative Therapies, along with other doctors, believes that while a small number of people may be helped by avoiding certain foods, altering the diet by reducing food intake—that is, fasting in some form or another—usually doesn't help the disease. He thinks that one reason arthritis may improve when food is restricted is a temporary malfunction of the immune system that for a time disables its inflammatory attack on the body's own tissues.
Confusing Advice and What to Do About It
Arthritis is the kind of disease that encourages people to try unproven remedies. Although it lasts a lifetime, its symptoms may come and go without warning. It's therefore hard to tell whether a period of relief is due to a new remedy or merely to coincidence. Worse yet, even the most effective remedies tend to have a variable impact. Treatments vary for each type of arthritis, they work differently from one person to the next, and their effects change as the disease progresses. Doctors often have to search for the combination of therapies that works best for a particular patient—a time-consuming and frustrating process. Given all these uncertainties, it's all too easy to become discouraged and look for easy answers.
The media are quick to take advantage of this situation, producing a seemingly endless series of books on special diets, foods, and supplements that supposedly relieve arthritis. Too often these works lack any solid scientific basis. Indeed, they often contradict each other. Yet arthritis sufferers continue to seek them out.
Doctor Wasner thinks that one of the reasons the self-treatment industry does so well among people who have arthritis is that they don't take the disease seriously enough. "If you had breast cancer, people aren't going to say, 'oh, you don't need therapy or radiation, what you need to do is eat more bran.'"
Perhaps the lack of awe over this chronic illness is because it isn't life threatening. It could also be due to arthritis' position as a "non-flashy" disease. Wasner points out that it has only recently begun to receive attention from the medical community, whereas "we have 2,000 years of culture that says we don't even treat it, that it's just like getting gray hair, that you just have to live with it."
Even if the few scientific studies conducted so far on the link between diet and arthritis were all clear cut, it would still take many more to wring acceptance from the medical community. Long-term side effects must be established first, says Jeffrey C. Delafuente, MS, a professor of pharmacy and director of the geriatric program at Virginia Commonwealth University. The traditional drug therapy available to treat arthritis has been studied for as long as 50 years, so doctors are bound to recommend it over any dietary therapy about which little is known.

Gout and Food: A Proven Link
Gout is the only form of arthritis that is unquestionably linked to diet, although the number of people whose gout can be blamed entirely on what they eat is small. For a victim of gout, foods high in substances called purines, such as liver, kidney, fish roe, mussels, anchovies, peas, beans, pancreas and brain, add to the existing problem of elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. Drinking too much alcohol and crash dieting can also raise the level of this acid. The uric acid that the body either overproduces or can't get rid of forms into tiny crystals like shards of glass which float in the joint space. When the immune system attacks these crystals, inflammation occurs.



Still, many arthritis sufferers have challenged a conservative medical community. In a nationwide survey of 1,051 people with osteoarthritis or RA, nearly half of the respondents admitted to changing their diet to see if it would help their condition, even if their doctors were against the idea. Some respondents simply started eating healthier foods, avoiding fats, and increasing their intake of vegetables. Others tried systematically eliminating foods from their diet and discovered some that they thought they could associate with flare-ups of their arthritis. Still others added vitamins, minerals, and other supplements like fish oil to their diets.
Every person is unique; what works for you might not work for someone else. What follows is a brief overview of the dietary manipulations that others have tried. If you do decide to experiment with one of these changes, remember that it's still important to consult your physician, no matter how conservative he may be. Depending on your medical condition, a particular diet could be dangerous for you, or could interact badly with your medication. You're always free to make the final decision; but do it with your doctor's help.

Elimination Diets
Elimination diets are a way of identifying a hypersensitivity to a particular kind of food. First a specific food or food group suspected of causing a reaction (such as milk, meat, or processed foods) is removed from the diet. Then the withheld foods are reintroduced one at a time to see whether any are harmful.
Researchers have found that in some rheumatoid arthritis patients, specific foods do make symptoms worse. However, avoiding these foods or food groups has been shown, for the most part, to have only limited, short-term benefits. One interesting study in England found that 10 out of 17 people benefited from any diet recommended by their doctors, pointing to a placebo effect.
Nevertheless, fad diets based on elimination of various "trigger" foods are common for arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis. There are claims, for example, that foods from the nightshade family—tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, and eggplant—can make arthritis worse. One especially strict program called the "Dong Diet" eliminates all additives, preservatives, fruits, red meat, herbs, alcohol, and dairy products. When undertaking such extreme diets, remember that there's no conclusive evidence that any of them can be relied on to work, and that some of them may result in deficiencies of important nutrients like folic acid.
Researchers have uncovered other patterns while investigating the effects of diet. One study found that simply eating too many calories appeared to aggravate rheumatoid arthritis. A few other studies have shown that some people who reduce their fat intake, especially vegetarians who eat no dairy or animal products, report less pain than those with high meat consumption. (About 5 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis experience a flare-up of symptoms after drinking milk.) In these 1991 studies, when patients were fasting or on a severely restricted diet, their symptoms improved significantly. And when dairy or animal products were reintroduced, episodes of pain, swelling, and stiffness increased.
The strict vegetarian diet underwent further testing in 1998, when Finnish researchers put a group of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers on a regimen that consisted of raw fruits and vegetables supplemented with lactobacillus, one of the healthy bacteria found in many yogurts. The findings were basically positive. Patients reported improvement in their symptoms during the study, then suffered flare-ups when they went back to their regular diet. However, the regimen is clearly not for everyone: About half the volunteers suffered nausea or diarrhea and dropped out of the experiment.
Still, the notion that lactobacillus may have a place in the treatment of arthritic diseases may yet prove valid. Animal experiments tend to support the idea. Mice given lactobacillus in one recent study proved less likely to develop arthritis, and their immune system was better at handling the disease.
Recent human trials continue to suggest that a vegetarian diet—sometimes following a fast—may help relieve rheumatoid arthritis, at least in some patients. However, it's worth remembering that protein is lost during the inflammatory process, and one study has suggested that high amounts of protein could be protective. If you choose to eliminate meat and dairy products from your diet, be sure to replace them with plenty of fish or vegetable proteins, such as soy products. In fact, a recent animal study suggests that a diet rich in soy may actually bring pain relief.

Pinpointing Offending Foods
If you suspect that something in your diet may be aggravating your arthritis, you need to be systematic in your pursuit of real proof. Here are a few tips:
• Keep a diary of everything you eat, and a diary of pain and other arthritis symptoms. When you compare the two, you may see some correlation. For example, the milkshake you drank Friday night may have caused the pain and swelling in your wrists on Saturday. However, the problem and frustration come when you try to determine the specific source of the problem: Was it the fat-laden ice cream (dairy) in the milkshake or the sugar?
• Once you suspect a certain food is the culprit, stop eating it for at least five days so you can be sure it is completely out of your system. Then add that food back into your diet and see what happens. If you follow this process at least three times and each time you get worse when the food is reinstated, you may be on to something. However, most researchers studying the correlation between food and arthritis say six weeks is the minimum time needed to reliably and accurately test any correlation.
• Carefully consider the food group you are considering banishing from your diet. Dairy products may aggravate your arthritis symptoms, for example, but they also provide essential nutrients. Make sure you can get those nutrients from other foods. Work with your doctor and even a dietician if possible.


A 1987 study of 48 rheumatoid arthritis patients attempted to pinpoint other particularly troublesome foods. After six weeks of dietary elimination, 41 were able to identify foods that had caused a flare in their symptoms. Cereal foods like corn and wheat were considered a problem by more than half of the study participants. Here is a list of foods the patients found troublesome (some of which contradict Dong's recommendations), and the percentage of symptomatic patients affected by the food:
Corn 57%
Wheat 54%
Bacon/pork 39%
Oranges 39%
Milk 37%
Oats 37%
Rye 34%
Eggs 32%
Beef 32%
Coffee 32%
Malt 27%
Cheese 24%
Grapefruit 24%
Tomato 22%
Peanuts 20%
Sugar (cane) 20%
Butter 17%
Lamb 17%
Lemons 17%
Soya 17%
Participants in the national survey on arthritis also reported cutting out some foods. Of the 1,051 people who were sent detailed questionnaires in the mail, 10 percent reported being sensitive or intolerant to certain foods. Red meat turned out to be the culprit most often associated with a flare-up of arthritis pain for this group. In addition, survey respondents mentioned as triggers sugar (and sweets in general), fat and fried foods, salt, caffeine, dairy products, nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant, and bell peppers), pork and smoked or processed meats, alcohol, junk food, starches, additives and preservatives, acidic foods, and chocolate.
Supplementation Diets
People with arthritis often have vitamin and mineral deficiencies, but these deficiencies are thought to be a result of the disease rather than its cause. Such problems are associated with other immune system diseases as well. Studies involving vitamin and mineral supplements have shown conflicting results with few hard conclusions. If you eat poorly overall, then take vitamin supplements and see an improvement in your condition, does it mean that the lack of a specific vitamin caused your arthritis? More than likely, the supplement merely boosted a taxed immune system, making you feel better overall. Still, there is some evidence that certain supplements may work directly on the inflammation that causes painful joints.

Tip-offs of a Bogus Remedy
Bookstores abound with information on new treatments for arthritis, including new diets. Television, radio, and magazine advertisements may try to convince you that changing the way you eat will cure your disease. The Arthritis Foundation compiled this list of 10 practices typical of promotions for unproven remedies. The Foundation warns that even a doctor's testimonial doesn't always make a claim legitimate. You should be alert for these signs:
1. A cure is offered. (There is no known cure yet for any form of chronic rheumatic disease. All current treatments merely reduce the symptoms and slow the progress. When genuine cures are found, there won't be any question about it; the whole world will know.)
2. The cure or remedy is described as a "secret" formula or device—as "exclusive," or "special." (Legitimate scientists don't keep their discoveries secret or exclusive.)
3. Testimonials and case histories of people who have supposedly been helped by the remedy are offered as "proof" of its effectiveness. (A few successes— if true—still don't prove the remedy will work for everyone.)
4. The remedy or treatment is described in sensational articles in tabloids and special health-interest publications, or advertised in magazines and through mail order promotions. (The tabloids are fun; but you should never take them seriously.)
5. Quick, simple relief of pain is promised or implied. (There is nothing simple about arthritis.)
6. The treatment is promoted as "cleansing" the body of poisons or "toxins" to allow the body's "natural" curative powers to clear up the disease. (They won't.)
7. Drugs and surgery are condemned as damaging, dangerous, and unnecessary and you are advised to try a nondrug treatment. (Standard treatments can be dangerous for some people, but that doesn't mean a nondrug treatment will work.)
8. No reliable evidence or scientific proof is offered to back up claims that the advertised remedy is safe and effective. (The promoter has not had the method properly tested in clinical trials.)
9. A special diet or nutrition treatment program is promoted as the answer. (Research scientists have not found any foods or nutrients that, by themselves, cause any rheumatic disease, or can be relied on to make any of these diseases better or worse [except modestly in gout]).
10. The "medical establishment" is accused of conspiracy to thwart progress by refusing to "recognize" or "approve" the remedy being promoted. (Doctors are conservative; but they have no reason to deliberately block progress.)


Fish Oil
The latest supplement to bring hope to arthritis patients is fish oil. This oil contains what scientists refer to as omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat. Research is showing that, unlike saturated animal fat, omega-3 fatty acids may reduce cholesterol buildup, lower blood pressure, prevent blood clots, and even cut the risk of some types of cancer. A number of recent studies also suggest that altering the types of fat in the diet can affect the immune system's inflammatory response, and that fish oil in particular may aid in the treatment of arthritis. Two of the acids contained in the oil—eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—reduce production of the prostaglandins and leukotrienes that promote inflammation.
The beneficial effect of fish oils on arthritis was seen as early as 1959, when arthritic patients taking cod liver oil showed clinical improvement in their symptoms. After several other small studies, a formal trial was launched in which some patients received fish oil capsules and others received olive oil capsules. Olive oil currently has no known role in arthritis treatment; it was used as a placebo against which to measure the effect of the fish oil. The researchers carrying out the study noted that after 14 weeks of treatment the patients taking fish oil reported significantly fewer tender joints and a delay in the onset of fatigue. A similar trial, also using olive oil as a placebo, found that patients taking fish oil supplements had fewer painful joints and increased grip strength after 12 weeks. Morning stiffness and overall pain relief improved in both groups of patients, but curiously, more so in the group receiving olive oil.
So far, only high doses of fish oil in capsule form have been studied, and only for short periods of time. Scientists are concerned about long-term toxicity. They'd also like to know whether fish oil in smaller doses will impart similar benefits. High dose fish oil concentrates are available only by prescription and can be fairly expensive. Low dose capsules are available over-the-counter in health food stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies. They have been known to cause side effects such as upset stomach, gas, and a fishy aftertaste in the mouth. Fish oil also thins the blood, which is why it is being studied in heart disease patients.
A better way to increase the amount of omega-3's in your diet may be to eat more cold-water ocean fish. Here is a list of fish (6 ounce servings) with high omega-3 content (in grams):
Mackerel, Atlantic 4.4
Mackerel, king 3.7
Herring, Pacific 3.1
Herring, Atlantic 2.9
Tuna, bluefin 2.7
Sablefish 2.6
Salmon, chinook 2.6
Sturgeon, Atlantic 2.6
Tuna, albacore 2.6
Whitefish, lake 2.6
Anchovies, European 2.4
Salmon, Atlantic 2.4
Salmon, sockeye 2.2
Bluefish 2.0
Mullet 1.9
Salmon, coho 1.7
Salmon, pink 1.7
Other oils produce similar effects for arthritis sufferers, and for similar reasons. Evening primrose oil, for example, which is high in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), has been shown to inhibit the formation of leukotrienes. Research suggests that borage seed oil, also rich in GLA, suppresses inflammation and appears to give pain relief similar to that of NSAIDs in arthritis suffers. Blackcurrant seed oil and flax seed oil, which are high in linolenic acid, can reduce the body's level of inflammation-inducing prostaglandins. All of these oils, however, need more study before we can be certain of their value in arthritis treatment.
Remember, too, that both fish oils and oils high in GLA can thin the blood, which could become a problem for people who take NSAIDs, since these drugs also suppress blood clotting. Be sure to check with your doctor before trying any of the oils as a treatment for arthritis.




[ Edited by FASTLARRY on 2005/11/22 0:55 ]

[Sodapop]

Is this the Trudeau that represents the IPT tour?

[mojomike]

Yes, a convicted criminal who spent 2 years in prison for fraud and who has been fined millions by the usa FDA FOR false advertising. The real natural cures posted were not from him but from doctors.

Caveat Emptor