Cholesterol is very important to the body and its loss is prevented by its recycling within the digestive tract. Cholesterol is passed into the gut by our liver and reabsorbed by our gut wall in order to be used again. A high intake of fibre, especially of water-soluble mucilaginous fibre from oat bran (not wheat bran), legumes, carrots and apples is extremely important in lowering cholesterol levels. Mucilaginous fibre binds bile and cholesterol in the intestines and promotes its excretion. Dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, parsley and broccoli are particularly good. In addition to supplying small amounts of both essential fatty acids, Omega 3 and Omega 6, they are good sources of vitamins C and E. Vitamin C http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11207/Quest-Vitamin-C-1000mg-Timed-Release-60-Tablets/ is essential for maintaining arterial walls, and also helps to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Vitamin E http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/13179/Quest-Vitamin-E-400iu---30-Capsules/ prevents vein damage and is very helpful in preventing damage to the arterial walls. It has been found to halve the recurrence of heart attacks and strokes in patients with a previous cardiovascular accident. In one recent study, vitamin E (400 iu) and aspirin were shown to have a very high level of success in preventing heart attacks and strokes. Use of garlic, onions and ginger are very useful to thin the blood and should be used widely in our diet.
Using nutritional supplements cannot replace a healthy diet and exercise, but they can certainly quicken the reversal process and help to prevent the effects of ageing on the blood vessels.
Bromelain http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11346/Solgar-Bromelain-500mg---30-Tablets/ is a digestive enzyme which helps break down plaque deposits in the arteries.
The antioxidant vitamins, A, C and E, and the mineral, silenium, are important in preventing damage to the arteries by free radicals.
Vitamin C helps prevent atherosclerosis by directly promoting the breakdown of triglycerides and maintaining the integrity of the blood vessel walls. Vitamin C also helps lower cholesterol in those with higher than optimal levels.
Carnitine http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11380/Solgar-Maxi-L-Carnitine-500mg---30-Tablets/ is therapeutically effective in the treatment of coronary heart disease because normal cardiac function is dependent on concentrations of carnitine in the heart muscle. Carnitine lowers triglycerides and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) while raising HDL (good cholesterol) and also helps increase muscle strength and stamina. L-carnitine transports fatty acids into cells so that they can be burned as fuel. In fact, some types of metabolic obesity are caused by a carnitine deficiency.
Lecithin http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/18008/Lecithin-Granules-250g/, particularly from soya bean sources, lowers both triglyceride and cholesterol levels by acting on these fats in order that they can be excreted by the body.
Herbal remedies are excellent in preventing both the build up of plaque and lowering high blood cholesterol levels. Artichoke http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/40318/Salus-Artichoke-Plant-Juice-200ml/ is a superb herb to aid the liver in its work of breaking down cholesterol into bile so that it can be excreted by the body. Garlic is well-known for its blood-thinning qualities and it can also lower cholesterol levels.
Hawthorn berries or flowers are said to be a friend of the ageing heart since they can help the heart work better due to their ability to lower the heart muscle’s need for oxygen. It is also known for its ability to widen the blood vessel and thus cease clogging of the arteries.
Cayenne pepper lowers cholesterol and inhibits platelet aggregations by dilating arteries. Many angina sufferers report a remarkable improvement in the chest pain and circulation with regular doses of cayenne capsules. Cinnamon and ginger also have the ability to ease angina pains. But don’t take cayenne if you have a peptic ulcer.
To summarise the use of supplements in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis:
Broad spectrum multivitamins and minerals;
vitamin C - 2g each day http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11240/Solgar-Ester-C-Plus-Tabs-1000mg-Vitamin-C-90-Tablets/;
vitamin E - 200-400 iu per dayhttp://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/20854/Quest-Vitamin-E-400iu---60-Capsules/ ;
fibre - oat bran or psyllium husks http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11291/Solgar-Psyllium-Husks-Fibre-500mg---200-Vegetable-Capsules/;
flaxseed oil - 1-2 tablespoons each day http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/45011/Emile-Noel-Flax-Seed-Oil-250ml/;
If significant atherosclerosis is already present, take:
L-Carnitine - 900 mg per dayhttp://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11380/Solgar-Maxi-L-Carnitine-500mg---30-Tablets/ ;
Bromelain http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11346/Solgar-Bromelain-500mg---30-Tablets/ - 500 mg 2-3 times per day between meals.
Showing posts with label bacteria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bacteria. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Antibiotic Resistance Part Two
Antibiotics where initially developed in the 1940’s and their discovery was hailed as one of the bigger breakthroughs in medical history. It must be remembered that millions died commonly of simple infections before their discovery. But today the real value of antibiotics is in sharp decline due to the massive worldwide abuse of antibiotics.
Even during the early stages of antibiotic development it was clear that some bacteria could survive and multiply in the presence of antibiotics. These bacteria had acquired resistance to the effects of those antibiotics.
In the early 1980’s a number of hospitals in Melbourne were plagued with infections which were resistant to almost all known antibiotics. The bacteria were not just resistance to antibiotics, but also to antiseptics, making it virtually impossible to kill. Only one antibiotic worked against it, vancomycin. Today even this antibiotic has not killed this bacterium in certain hospitals. So, it is now clear that we are facing a potentially disastrous situation.
Why did this happen? We have used antibiotics in an irresponsible way. Overuse and using antibiotics in animal foods are major errors that need to be changed, antibiotics don’t kill viruses, but how often do we use them for viral infections?
A common sense approach is needed in treating common infections. Let the body fight the infection with the help of common herbs and rest, which allows the body to build up one’s natural resistance.
Up to 50% of all infections in children are respiratory by nature. Upper respiratory tract infections such as colds, flu and snotty noses are viral so antibiotics have no part to play in their treatment. Even if the discharge from the nose is yellowish or greenish, swabs consistently show no bacterial growth. If in doubt, have a nasal swab done by your family doctor as this will show whether the infection is bacterial or viral.
Anti-viral treatments include Echinacea root tincture http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/43317/Echinacea-Tincture-215ml/, Plantain juicehttp://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/40314/Salus-Plantain-Plant-Juice-200ml/ and Vitamin C http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11240/Solgar-Ester-C-Plus-Tabs-1000mg-Vitamin-C-90-Tablets/and Zinc .http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44222/Sona-Zinc-60-Tablets/ Echinacea is best taken as a liquid extract or tincture. In liquid form, it is more easily absorbed into the bloodstream and it works better I find than either tablets or capsules. Echinacea is generally recognized as being one of the safest remedies. It is effective against a wide range of microbes, including many viruses, bacteria and fungi. It can be used to treat most types of infection. Echinacea can also be used externally to treat wounds that are infected.
If you or your children are getting lots of infections, then it may be necessary to build up the immune system. Herbs that will do this include Astragalus http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44624/Astragalus-Tincture-215ml/which can be given to children on a long term basis if they are prone to infections.
Vitamin C is also anti-viral as well as anti-bacterial; it also enhances aspects of a person’s immunity. You can take up to ten grams of vitamin C (adult dose) during an infection. To enhance immunity take 2-3 grams of a timed released vitamin C each day. Take 1 gram each eight hours. Since the Vitamin C is not stored in the body, there is no concern about overloading the body with too much.
If you have to take an antibiotic then be sure to take acidophilus supplement during and after course of treatment to get the ‘‘good’’ bacteria in balance so the immune system gets back in shape.
Even during the early stages of antibiotic development it was clear that some bacteria could survive and multiply in the presence of antibiotics. These bacteria had acquired resistance to the effects of those antibiotics.
In the early 1980’s a number of hospitals in Melbourne were plagued with infections which were resistant to almost all known antibiotics. The bacteria were not just resistance to antibiotics, but also to antiseptics, making it virtually impossible to kill. Only one antibiotic worked against it, vancomycin. Today even this antibiotic has not killed this bacterium in certain hospitals. So, it is now clear that we are facing a potentially disastrous situation.
Why did this happen? We have used antibiotics in an irresponsible way. Overuse and using antibiotics in animal foods are major errors that need to be changed, antibiotics don’t kill viruses, but how often do we use them for viral infections?
A common sense approach is needed in treating common infections. Let the body fight the infection with the help of common herbs and rest, which allows the body to build up one’s natural resistance.
Up to 50% of all infections in children are respiratory by nature. Upper respiratory tract infections such as colds, flu and snotty noses are viral so antibiotics have no part to play in their treatment. Even if the discharge from the nose is yellowish or greenish, swabs consistently show no bacterial growth. If in doubt, have a nasal swab done by your family doctor as this will show whether the infection is bacterial or viral.
Anti-viral treatments include Echinacea root tincture http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/43317/Echinacea-Tincture-215ml/, Plantain juicehttp://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/40314/Salus-Plantain-Plant-Juice-200ml/ and Vitamin C http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11240/Solgar-Ester-C-Plus-Tabs-1000mg-Vitamin-C-90-Tablets/and Zinc .http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44222/Sona-Zinc-60-Tablets/ Echinacea is best taken as a liquid extract or tincture. In liquid form, it is more easily absorbed into the bloodstream and it works better I find than either tablets or capsules. Echinacea is generally recognized as being one of the safest remedies. It is effective against a wide range of microbes, including many viruses, bacteria and fungi. It can be used to treat most types of infection. Echinacea can also be used externally to treat wounds that are infected.
If you or your children are getting lots of infections, then it may be necessary to build up the immune system. Herbs that will do this include Astragalus http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44624/Astragalus-Tincture-215ml/which can be given to children on a long term basis if they are prone to infections.
Vitamin C is also anti-viral as well as anti-bacterial; it also enhances aspects of a person’s immunity. You can take up to ten grams of vitamin C (adult dose) during an infection. To enhance immunity take 2-3 grams of a timed released vitamin C each day. Take 1 gram each eight hours. Since the Vitamin C is not stored in the body, there is no concern about overloading the body with too much.
If you have to take an antibiotic then be sure to take acidophilus supplement during and after course of treatment to get the ‘‘good’’ bacteria in balance so the immune system gets back in shape.
Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic resistance is on the rise. Many factors are involved in antibiotic resistance. Evolution plays a role, any organism, bacteria included, naturally includes variants with unusual traits – in this case, the ability to withstand an antibiotic attack on a microbe. When a person takes an antibiotic, the drug kills the defenseless bacteria, leaving behind those that resist it. These bacteria then multiply, increasing their numbers a million fold in a day, becoming the predominant micro-organism.
Though bacterial antibiotic resistance is a natural phenomenon, social factors also contribute to the problem. These factors include increased infection, coupled with inappropriate antibiotic use.
More people are contracting infections for example; sinusitis among adults is on the rise, as are ear infections in children.
Between 1985 and 1992 it was found that nearly double the amount of prescriptions were prescribed for both these conditions in the USA. This along with wide spread use of antibiotics in livestock leads to increased antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics were initially developed in the 1940’s and their discovery was hailed as one of the biggest breakthrough in medical history. It must be remembered that millions died commonly of simple infections before their discovery.
So what can we do? Increasing our immunity to infection must be the first step. Using herbs like Astragalushttp://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44624/Astragalus-Tincture-215ml/ , Reishi mushrooms http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/15361/Reishi-90-capsules/ or Cordyceps http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/search.aspwill help our body’s resist infection. Along with lifestyle changes like eating a whole food diet reducing sugar and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.
A common sense approach is needed in treating common infections. Let the body fight the infection with the help of common herbs and rest, which allows the body to build up its natural resistance.
Up to 50% of all infections in children are respiratory by nature. Upper respiratory tract infections such as colds, flu and snotty noses are viral so antibiotics have no part to play in their treatment. Even if the discharge from the nose is; yellowish or greenish, swabs consistently show no bacterial growth. Anti – viral treatments include Echinacea root tincture http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/43317/Echinacea-Tincture-215ml/, Plantain juice http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/40314/Salus-Plantain-Plant-Juice-200ml/ and vitamin C http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11207/Quest-Vitamin-C-1000mg-Timed-Release-60-Tablets/ and Zinc http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/38846/Lifeplan-Zinc-Gluconate-10mg-100-Tablets/. Echinacea is best taken as a liquid extract or tincture. In liquid form, it is more easy absorbed into the blood stream and it works better I find than either tablets or capsules. Echinacea is generally recognized as being one of the safest remedies. It is effective against a wide range of microbes including many viruses, bacteria and fungi. It can be used to treat most types of infection.
Plantain juice works like an antibiotic. It can be used to treat sinusitis, chest infections, ear infections and urinary tract infections. It also works to decongest nasal passages by helping the mucus membranes work better and therefore very useful in blocked sinuses. Plantain contains a chemical called Aucubin which acts like an antibiotic without any bacterial resistance occurring due to naturally occurring variation. Plantain has been used through out the world from China to Europe for the last 3,000 years at least. It is a very safe and gentle herb to use and can be taken by very young children for most infections, without side – effects. Combining Echinacea root tincture and Plantain juice is very effective treatment for most common infections.
Though bacterial antibiotic resistance is a natural phenomenon, social factors also contribute to the problem. These factors include increased infection, coupled with inappropriate antibiotic use.
More people are contracting infections for example; sinusitis among adults is on the rise, as are ear infections in children.
Between 1985 and 1992 it was found that nearly double the amount of prescriptions were prescribed for both these conditions in the USA. This along with wide spread use of antibiotics in livestock leads to increased antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics were initially developed in the 1940’s and their discovery was hailed as one of the biggest breakthrough in medical history. It must be remembered that millions died commonly of simple infections before their discovery.
So what can we do? Increasing our immunity to infection must be the first step. Using herbs like Astragalushttp://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44624/Astragalus-Tincture-215ml/ , Reishi mushrooms http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/15361/Reishi-90-capsules/ or Cordyceps http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/search.aspwill help our body’s resist infection. Along with lifestyle changes like eating a whole food diet reducing sugar and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.
A common sense approach is needed in treating common infections. Let the body fight the infection with the help of common herbs and rest, which allows the body to build up its natural resistance.
Up to 50% of all infections in children are respiratory by nature. Upper respiratory tract infections such as colds, flu and snotty noses are viral so antibiotics have no part to play in their treatment. Even if the discharge from the nose is; yellowish or greenish, swabs consistently show no bacterial growth. Anti – viral treatments include Echinacea root tincture http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/43317/Echinacea-Tincture-215ml/, Plantain juice http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/40314/Salus-Plantain-Plant-Juice-200ml/ and vitamin C http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11207/Quest-Vitamin-C-1000mg-Timed-Release-60-Tablets/ and Zinc http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/38846/Lifeplan-Zinc-Gluconate-10mg-100-Tablets/. Echinacea is best taken as a liquid extract or tincture. In liquid form, it is more easy absorbed into the blood stream and it works better I find than either tablets or capsules. Echinacea is generally recognized as being one of the safest remedies. It is effective against a wide range of microbes including many viruses, bacteria and fungi. It can be used to treat most types of infection.
Plantain juice works like an antibiotic. It can be used to treat sinusitis, chest infections, ear infections and urinary tract infections. It also works to decongest nasal passages by helping the mucus membranes work better and therefore very useful in blocked sinuses. Plantain contains a chemical called Aucubin which acts like an antibiotic without any bacterial resistance occurring due to naturally occurring variation. Plantain has been used through out the world from China to Europe for the last 3,000 years at least. It is a very safe and gentle herb to use and can be taken by very young children for most infections, without side – effects. Combining Echinacea root tincture and Plantain juice is very effective treatment for most common infections.
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