October 2005

Your Wellness Options - Alternative Health and Wellness March 2006 Newsletter
Your Wellness Options


Alternative Health and Wellness 

In This Issue
  • Welcome Message
  • Body Detoxification Via an Ionic Foot Bath
  • Inspirational Quotes
  • An Influenza Pandemic?  The Bird Flu Virus
  • We Do Know What Causes Auto immunity!
  • Salt Crystal Lamps Create an Environment Rich in Ions that has a Positive Effect on Your Health




Body Detoxification via an Ionizing Footbath
by Carole Nickerson

Every day we are exposed to about 50,000 chemicals from the environment, water and the food we eat. These chemicals poison the blood and circulate throughout the body, creating a toxic effect which can impact every organ in the body. Because our bodies are not adapted to processing and eliminating most of these chemicals, they accumulate over time causing chronic conditions, allergies and a number of other physical/emotional problems.

Body detoxification is a process of eliminating these harmful toxins from the body. There are many different diets, herbal formulas and programs on the market designed to help you achieve this as well as many books and websites on the topic.

An ionizing footbath is one such method of detoxification involving the use of a special unit placed in warm water which creates positively and negatively charged ions. The theory is that these ions are then absorbed through the feet into the body attaching themselves to toxic substances and neutralizing them. These toxins are then released through the pores in the feet into the water.

As the detoxification process occurs, the water will often change color, indicating which organs and systems have been cleansed:

Yellow-green: Detoxifying from the kidney, bladder, urinary tract, and female/prostate area

Orange: Detoxifying from joints

White cheese-like particles: Detoxification of yeast

Black flecks: Heavy metals

Brown: Detoxifying from liver

Black: Detoxifying from liver

Dark green: Detoxifying from gallbladder

White foam: Lymphatic system

Red flecks: Blood clots

Ionic cleansing through the feet has been shown to be very effective in reducing menopause symptoms, menstrual cramps, skin problems, sleep disorders, stress, wrinkles, yeast infections, joint problems and any other number of chronic symptoms. Most people first experience a boost of energy and mental clarity after their first session. Sessions usually last about 45 minutes.

But it's reported that ionic foot baths are not for everyone. You should not use it if:
- You use a battery powered implant such as a pacemaker
- Are on heartbeat regulating medication
- Are taking Coumidin
- Are an organ transplant recipient or have had organs removed
- Are on any medication where without it you would suffer ill effects physically or emotionally
- Have suffered a stroke
- Pregnant or nursing

Using an ionic cleansing foot bath is painless, comfortable and soothing. You can choose to purchase the equipment to use it from your own home, or opt to find a practitioner with experience to handle your sessions.

Carole Nickerson has been a writer and web developer since 1998, writing articles & websites on various topics of interest. For more information on Body Detoxification, Ionic Foot Baths, visit: http://www.readerpoint.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/




Inspirational Quotes

The great composer....does not set to work
because he is inspired,
but becomes inspired because he is working.

Beethoven, Wagner, Bach, and Mozart
settled down day after day to the job in hand
with as much regularity as an accountant
settles down each day to his figures.

They don't waste time waiting for inspiration.
- Ernest Newman

 

Every man has his own destiny;
the only imperative is to
follow it, to accept it,
no matter where it leads him.
- Henry Miller


Reflect upon your present blessings,
of which every man has many,
not on your past misfortunes,
of which all men have some.
  - Charles Dickens





Welcome Message


For those of you who have recently subscribed, welcome.   I hope you enjoy the newsletter.  Select newsletter articles are available in our library.

If there is a topic you would like us to look into, please e-mail your request to:   editor@yourwellnessoptions.com

Well, as you clearly know, it is no longer October.  Yes, this month's newsletter is a bit late.  Most days this October, for us, included visits to the ICU and a local hospice facility.  To be honest, it was difficult to go everyday and be immersed in an environment of sadness.  But, our family was also blessed at the same time.  We were able to spend more time with our loved one than anyone thought possible.  When moved to the hospice center, the prognosis was two to three days at the most.  Our loved one apparently still had work to do though.  Over a two week period, she managed to bring the family closer and it did not even dawn on me, at the time, that task may have been part of her life's mission. 

During the funeral, it was mentioned, more than once, all she wanted was for her family to get along with each other.  It was the first time I had heard about her wish, though I'm sure her immediate children had heard it many times.  I do believe, on many levels, she was successful.  The family now wants to get together more often and not wait until the next holiday or tragedy to do so. 

Remember, there is always a lesson to be learned from every situation and a silver lining in every cloud.  Sometimes you just have to look at the situation from a different point of view.  All in all, we really did not lose our loved one. She will always remain in our hearts.

If you are currently not a subscriber and would like to receive our no cost, monthly newsletter, you can subscribe at: http://www.yourwellnessoptions.com.


Have a blessed day!
LeeAnn Rahn
editor@yourwellnessoptions.com





An Influenza Pandemic?  The Bird Flu Virus
by LeeAnn Rahn

The H5N1 or Avian (Bird) Flu Virus seems to have the complete attention of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).  Are they worried the Bird Flu Virus may be the "big one" we have been warned about for years?  Could it be the virus that rivals the Spanish Flu and goes down in the history books as the most deadly, world wide outbreak?  The answer to both those questions is a resounding YES.  The CDC and WHO are very worried.  On the heels of dealing with the the SARS virus, which became uncomfortably close to becoming a pandemic, they now are on "red alert" and keeping a very close eye on the Bird Flu Virus.  

What exactly is the Bird Flu virus?  It is a version of influenza A.  Influenza A is the cause of avian influenza in wild birds (it's natural host) and the cause of some influenza cases in humans including all pandemic influenza human outbreaks.   The H denotes hemmagglutinin activity of which there are 16 known varieties.  The N denotes neuraminidase activity of which there are 9 varieties.  Of all the variations, most that cause influenza in birds generally do not afflict humans and only three of the varieties have been know to cause influenza in humans.[1] 

Currently, H5N1 has infected wild birds, ducks, and other foul in "Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Turkey, Romania, and Croatia".[2]  Though recently it has shown the ability to also jump to pigs, cats, tigers, and leopards.  As of October 2005 there has been 121 human WHO documented cases with 62 deaths.   Although, in a 2004 report from Vietnam, 8 of 10 humans died (80%) and 67% from another study.
[2]  No matter how you look at it this virus is very deadly.

H5N1 is not a new virus though.  According to some sources it has been identified as the source of millions of bird deaths and was identified back in 1961[1].  H5N1 is not the first "bird flu" either.  The1918-1919 Spanish Flu (H1N1) killed more than 50 million people worldwide - more than 500,000 in the United States alone.  Different strains in 1957 and 1968 each claimed more than a million people.[1]

So why is everyone so worried about a Bird Flu pandemic?  As viruses spread they generally mutate into different variations of the original.  They are in a race for survival themselves.  Severely deadly diseases are generally not as infections, the virus is easier to detect, and the spread of the virus is easier to contain.  How long will a seriously deadly virus last?  Well, if it kills off all of it's victims before it has a chance to spread to others, not very long.  This is why we see viruses mutate.  They are attempting to make necessary changes in order to survive as long as possible and some viruses are better at it than others. 

Is the Bird Flu virus mutating?  Yes it is and at a rapid pace.  The major worry is that H5N1 will mutate into a related virus capable of human to human transmission and, based on history, that possibility is very real and yes everyone should be well aware of the possibility.  This is NOT one of the common scare tactics used to sell more vaccines. 

I want everyone to understand this potential threat is very real but, at the same time, I do not want anyone to panic.  The Bird Flu is not a human to human transmittable virus yet and may never be.  Besides, stress, fear, and panic are great ways to lower your resistance and beat up your immune system.  You need to be healthy and strong should this come to fruition.

If the Bird Flu virus mutates into a human to human infection, it will likely become less deadly and that is exactly what has health officials in a frenzy.  Based on those words alone that sentence seems a bit contradictory but generally as the virus becomes less deadly it becomes more infectious.  The virus will have the ability to "hide" in it's host and spread to others it comes in contact with.  Now you have a virus that kills fewer of it's hosts but has the ability to spread across the world fairly quickly. 

How can you protect yourself from the Bird Flu virus? 

The best protection from the Bird Flu is a healthy immune system.  A healthy immune system may in fact be the only protection most of us will have if we end up in the middle of a pandemic. 

Hospitals will just become breeding grounds for the virus.  If a pandemic occurs, and you didn't have the flu when you arrived at the hospital, you will likely have it when you leave.  Plus, no country in the world is equipped to handle the influx of patients likely to be produced. 

In the event of a pandemic, those showing symptoms of the Bird Flu virus will likely be quarantined.  In addition, you can expect large gatherings of people to be prohibited and possibly some serious limitations to your personal freedom.  Will quarantine stop the virus though, probably not.

Another option is a flu vaccine.  Unfortunately, it takes quite some time to develop an effective flu vaccine.  Scientists are currently hard at work but are only working on a vaccine based on the initial strains of the H5N1(versus the most recent mutations).  The final strain(s) may not be affected by a vaccine whose creation is based on the origins of the virus.  BUT, if and when a vaccine is available, I would suggest getting it none-the-less.  Something that may delay the virus is better than nothing at all.

Anything else?  There are also anti viral drugs currently being used to help treat the Bird Flu virus.  Until we are staring the pandemic in the eyes though, we will not know whether the strain is resistant to these drugs or not.  Some nations are beginning to stock up on certain anti viral drugs but none seem to be stockpiling.  In the event of a pandemic, there will likely not be enough doses of the medicine to go around anyway; only the sickest or those with the most influence (money and connections) will be able to get their hands it.

The President has been in the media the last couple weeks speaking about the Bird Flu virus.  It is good the government is getting involved in a proactive way but please, I beg you, do not rely on the vaccines or medication.  If the Bird Flu does cause a pandemic, the specific strain (mutation) may or may not be affected by the current vaccines or anti viral medications.  In addition, the virus will likely continue to mutate as time passes.  Those first afflicted during a pandemic will likely have a different strain than those afflicted down the road.

So, as you can see, your life is literally in your own hands.  Get healthy and you increase your chances of surviving should the Bird Flu visit you where you live.  If there was ever a reason to get healthy, this is it.  What are the possible side effects - weight loss, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, fewer headaches, more energy, improved immune response, etc.  This list could go on forever.

Where should you start?  Well, I know you are not going to like this list and it is going to take some effort on your part, but this is one of the best reasons I have seen in my lifetime to get healthy.

1.  Cut soft drinks completely out of your diet.  Sugar depresses your immune system and those of you who drink diet drinks are not off the hook.  Sugar substitutes such as equal, nutrisweet, and splenda are actually worse for you than sugar.

2.  Exercise is a must.  Exercise helps removes toxins from your body.  If your body is unable to neutralize acids in the bloodstream, it will
"hide" the toxins in your fat cells as a way to bring your blood pH back to homeostasis.  Learn more about pH.

3.  Get plenty of sunlight.  Sunlight, technically UVB rays, helps your body create Vitamin D which is necessary to properly synthesize calcium and regulates many hormonal functions.  Without the proper buffers in your blood, of which calcium is a very important one, your body will become acidic and eventually diseased.  Note: do not use sunscreen - it will prevent you from receiving the healing rays you need.

4.  Drink plenty of pure, clean water.  Pure and clean mean chlorine and fluoride free.

5.  Avoid all processed foods, especially flour and sugar based foods.  It definitely bears repeating, sugar depresses your immune system.  Plus, most processed foods contain chemical additives and are fairly nutrient desolate.  I know you won't be able to cut out all processed foods or sugars. These days, it seems like a good 90% of the foods available in our standard grocery store are processed but do your best.

Beyond the nutritional changes, several natural foods, nutrients, and herbs have wonderful anti viral properties.  Please note: only a very few of the many, many nutrients and herbs with anti viral properties are listed here.

Foods
Garlic
Onions
Aloe Vera
Ginger
Berries
Shitake Mushrooms
Apples/Fresh Apple Juice
Nutrients
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin B5
Zinc
Selenium
Calcium
Germanium
Herbs
Green Tea
Cat's Claw
Curcumin
Astragalus Root
St. John's Wort*
Lemon Balm
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Licorice
* Do not take St. John's Wort if you are on ANY other medication without discussing its drug interactions with a knowledgeable health practitioner.  St. John's Wort is a great herb and may actually be more effective than many prescription antidepressants but is very reactive with other medications - even the "pill"!

In the event of an H5N1 outbreak you may wish to abstain from the following herbs/nutrients/foods: Elderberry Juice, Micro Algae like Chlorella and Spirulina, Honey, Chocolate,  and Echinacea.  All are known to increase inflammatory cytokine production.  In general most of these are great for use during a standard influenza incident but H5N1 is different than the standard flu.

Generally, influenza viruses cause inflammation by invading the cells lining the throat and windpipe.  Sometimes, the lungs are also invaded which can lead to pneumonia.  Certain strains of H5N1 have gone beyond that though.  Instead of only multiplying in the host's throat and lungs, H5N1 can now multiply in other organs.  Your liver, intestines, and brain can become breeding grounds and lead to infections affecting your entire body.  In addition, the Bird Flu virus floods your body with chemicals called cytokines.  Normally cytokines are helpful but in excess can cause serious damage to your body.   During the 1918 Spanish Flu many healthy individuals died due to "cytokine storms". 

Bottom line: Get healthy, stay healthy.  It's your best bet and it has beneficial side effects!





We Do Know What Causes AutoImmunity!
by Heidi Whitaker

I am constantly reading and hearing that we don't know the cause of autoimmune disorders such as lupus, ALS, Fibromyalgia, MS, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Epstein-Barr, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This is not the case at all.

I would agree pharmaceutical companies have not found a cause of autoimmunity that they can do much about.  In mainstream medicine, that translates to not knowing much about the disease. However, outside mainstream medicine, we do know A LOT about the cause behind autoimmunity.

From my book, "Autoimmunity: It's Time for Truth; It's Time to Heal":

"The immune system, like most of the body, requires balance to function properly. T-helper 1 (Th1) cells and T-helper 2 cells (Th2) help regulate the body’s response to foreign invaders. Th1 uses white blood cells to go after viruses and cancer cells. Th2 immune cells use antibodies to go after bacteria. Normally, the body strikes a balance by switching back and forth between Th1 and Th2. In a person with an autoimmune disorder, one dominates and suppresses the other. Trans fats, mercury and other heavy metals, sugar and processed foods, alcohol, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, and stress are part of a modern lifestyle that can disrupt the Th1/Th2 balance.

Th1 dominance in women is associated with autoimmunity and recurrent miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, children in the autism spectrum tend to be Th1 dominant. Besides autoimmunity, Th2 dominance is characterized by a tendency toward allergies, frequent colds and viral infections, and cancer.

Both Th1 and Th2 cells make a protein substance known as cytokines. Cytokines cause inflammation. This inflammation should be a temporary response to injury or infection. Cytokines are a necessary part of our immunity. It is the overproduction (too many) of certain small cytokine molecules that leads to the invasion and inflammation of an organ or body system."

It REALLY is that simple! Sadly, no one who stands to make money from prescriptions to fix the problem, will accept or promote that fact that autoimmunity is about malnutrition and toxins reprogramming the immune system to behave in a devastating way. Unfortunately, those who stand to make the most money from denying the truth, are the decimators of information.

Heidi Whitaker is an author and popular speaker on the topic of nutritional support of autoimmune disease. An advocate for alternative health solutions, she co-founded http://www.healthydivas.com, a resource center for those autoimmune sufferers looking for real answers outside of what conventional medicine can provide.   Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/





Salt Crystal Lamps Create an Environment Rich in Ions that has a Positive Effect on Your Health
by Isabella Samovsky

People are becoming increasingly concerned about the poor quality of air that they breathe within office buildings, motor vehicles, and even their own homes. In fact, the EPA notes that levels of air pollutants indoors are typically many times that of outside air, even in smoggy cities. Not only are we exposed to toxic fumes produced by synthetic carpets, electronics and paints, but a sizable portion of the air molecules are positively charged (meaning that they lack an electron). These so-called "positive ions" have been shown to cause stress, headaches, lethargy, and temporary depression.

Their chemical opposites -- termed "negative ions" – neutralize positive ions, and thus help to clean the air and reduce those health problems. Moreover, frequent exposure to the negative ions can dramatically increase an individual's energy, mental alertness, and overall sense of well-being. For many years, people suffering from asthma and other symptoms have gained tremendous relief from underground asthma treatment (speleotherapy) in salt mines, where negative ions are plentiful.

The most convenient and environmentally friendly way to feel these healthy ions is to take a walk in the park, in the woods or to the sea. Wearing natural fibers and sitting away from the computer as much as possible. To add these healthy ions to your own environment, is to use natural crystal salts, including those that have been crafted into lamps, which generate even more negative ions as a result of the light and heat exposure.

The beautiful crystalline structure of ancient salt deposits is a result of their constituent minerals drying under intense pressure, not unlike diamonds. But salt crystals are far more colorful, ranging from light shades of pink, yellow, and orange, to the more intense hues of dark red, deep blues and lavenders. Not only do people find the light of natural salt lamps to be quite soothing, but the negative ions given off by the lamps are the same wonderful ions we smell in the air after a thunderstorm. These ions have a refreshing and energizing effect, helping to purify the air and thereby benefit the people and pets breathing that air.

These types of lamps are being used worldwide in holistic spas and medical treatment centers. The most common types of disorders treated are breathing problems, such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and various allergies.

The very best salt crystals are those that are mined in an ecologically responsible manner, and crafted by dedicated artisans into attractive and safe lamps that can be used indefinitely. Such lamps have been tested and verified to release ions, even when not lit. They produce the same wonderful ions that we feel after a thunderstorm and when standing close to a natural waterfall. Even though the crystal salts and ions themselves are odorless, people can really feel the difference breathing the energized air. These lamps are a natural alternative to man made machines and offer a radiant and healthy light that can be used in every room of the house and office safely.

Make an investment today in improving your health and your personal environment. Try some of our natural crystal salt products, and experience what you get when you choose the very best.  http://www.natural-salt-lamps.com, Chicago, IL 60645, 312-224-2710   © 2004 2005 www.natural-salt-lamps.com 
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



References
An Influenza Pandemic?  The Bird Flu Viurs
1.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website - http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm.
2.  Infections Diseases Society of America website - http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/idsa/influenza/avianflu/biofacts/avflu_human.html.
3.  Bird Flu Survival Guide - http://bird-flu-influenza.com
4.  Beat the Bird Flu Virus, Mike Adams, www.truthpublishing.com





Anti-Aging | Antioxidant | Chelation | Children's Health | Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, & Diabetes | Digestive Health | Energy & Endurance | Eye Health | Heart Health | Hypothyroidism | Immune System | Joint & Bone Health | Men's Health | Mind & Memory | Mood & Wellbeing | Sexual Function | Skin, Hair, & Nails | Sports Nutrition | Vitamin, Mineral, & Herbal Nutrition | Weight Loss | Whole Food Nutrition | Women's Health | Aromatherapy | Baby Care | Body Care | Dental Care | Facial Care | Hair Care | Pet Health | Home Care

.
Disclaimer
The information on Your Wellness Options is designated for informational and educational purposes only.  You should never make a decision based solely this information.  Please consult the appropriate health professional for medical attention, diagnosis, or treatment.  Readers who fail to contact the appropriate health care professional, taking matters into their own hands, assume all risks.  The publisher is not responsible for errors and omissions. 
Copyright© 2004-2006, YourWellnessOptions.com, All rights reserved.