Second only to the common cold as the most prevalent infectious ailment in the United States is periodontal disease. It is the major cause of adult tooth loss. As we age the probability increases of developing periodontal disease. Ranging from 15 percent at age 10 to more like 50 percent at age 50.
Peridontal means “located around a tooth”, so periodontal disease can refer to any disorder of the gums or other supporting structures of the teeth. Gingivitis or inflammation of the gums is the early stage of periodontal disease. Caused by plaque, which is sticky deposits of bacteria, mucus, and food particles that adheres to the teeth. When plaque accumulated it causes the gums to become infected and swollen. As the gums swell, pockets form between the gums and the teeth that act as a trap for still more plaque buildup. Other factors that contribute to the development of gingivitis include:
- Breathing through the mouth
- Badly fitting fillings
- Prostheses that irritate surrounding gum tissue
- Diet of too many soft foods that rob the teeth and gums of much needed “exercise”
All these factors can lead to gums that are red, soft, and shiny, and bleed easily. Usually gingivitis is essentially painless, but there can be some pain.
Left untreated pyorrhea or periodontitis can develop from gingivitis. This advanced stage of periodontal disease in which the bone supporting the teeth begins to erode as a result of the infection. Abscesses are common which are very painful. Pyorrhea causes halitosis (bad breath) with bleeding and often painful gums.
Conditions which make one more likely to develop pyorrhea are:
- Poor nutrition
- Improper brushing
- Wrong foods
- Sugar consumption
- Chronic illness
- Glandular disorders
- Blood disease
- Smoking
- Drugs
- Excessive alcohol consumption
It is often related to a deficiency of:
- Vitamin C
- Bioflavonoids
- Calcium
- Folic acid or niacin
Smokers are more susceptible than nonsmokers to periodontits and tooth loss.
Mouth problems often reflect deficiencies or underlying disorders in the body.
- Bleeding gums may signal a vitamin C deficiency
- Dryness and cracking at the corners of the mouth may indicate a deficiency of vitamin B2 (riboflavin).
- Dry or cracked lips can be the result of an allergic reaction
- Raw red mouth tissue bay be a sign of stress
- A smooth, reddish tongue can indicate anemia or poor diet.
- Sores under the tongue can be an early warning sign of mouth cancer
Regular dental checkups can help detect these conditions early. Floss your teeth daily. Do this faithfully every day. Be sure to brush your gums and tongue as well as your teeth using a very soft natural-bristle toothbrush.
Severe cases of periodontal disease may necessitate surgery to remove the infected tissue from the gum and reshape the bone. This can be very effective if you continue with your home care of your mouth.
Some people appear to be more susceptible than others to the bacteria that cause gum disease. Electric toothbrushes are very helpful in removing plaque.
Deficiencies of coenzyme Q10 have been linked to periodontal disease. The amount of coenzyme Q10 present in the body declines with age, so it should be supplemented in the diet, especially by people who are over the age of fifty. A liquid or oil form is preferable. This vitamin like substance is very helpful to the heart tissue as well because it increases tissue oxygenation all over the body.
Vitamin C and A is needed for healing of gum tissue, especially of bleeding gums.
Bioflavonoids retard plaque growth which is a huge help.
Avoid taking antibiotics. The mouth is the hardest place for them to work, and they destroy the needed friendly bacteria in the colon. Try goldenseal first, it works faster and has no side effects.
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ADHD can be very upsetting for parents, children, teachers and caretakers alike. Because there is no laboratory or physical test that diagnoses ADHD, its diagnosis is based on a clinical history of symptoms and behavior. Which brings up controversy as to whether the behavior is actually normal in many cases, especially for younger boys.
SYMPTOMS
- Inability to sit still
- Mood swings
- Restlessness
- Short attention span
- Inability to concentrate
- Frequent tantrums
- Speech or learning disorders
- Impaired memory
- Failure to complete age-appropriate tasks
- Impulsiveness
ROOT CAUSES
- A diet that’s high in sugar and additives
- Food allergies/sensitivities
- Hypoglycemia
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Poor digestion and absorption
- Emotional stresses
There are three subtypes of ADHD, one of which mainly involves an attention problem and not a hyperactivity issue. Between 30 and 40 percent of children with ADHD have learning disabilities, although in many cases these children are quite bright. ADHD often goes undiagnosed, if not caught at an early age, and it affects many adults who may not be aware of their condition.
Many parents instinctively believe that the problem is connected to their children’s diet. They know that children can respond negatively to sugar or other foods, and they wonder if their child is simply suffering from an extreme version of this reaction. In the last few decades, sugars, preservatives, and colorings have been added to our food at an increasing rate.
Do not underestimate the role of emotional stress and its relationship to ADHD. The breakdown of the family unit in our culture places abnormal stresses on a child, which can result in attention and behavior changes.
Many children consume nothing but convenience foods, like hot dogs, fried chicken fingers, highly sweetened fruit drinks and sodas. Since small bodies are especially vulnerable to additives in these foods, it is not surprising that many of them have a toxic response. For some, the response takes the form of traditional allergies-say, a runny nose or hives. Others, however, the poisons surface as extreme behavior problems.
Unfortunately, Western doctors have been trained to discount the importance of diet in hyperactive children. Instead of nutritional therapy, they will often suggest medication to suppress the symptoms of ADHD: it is estimated that more than two million children take drugs like Ritalin on a daily basis. While medications may be necessary in a few cases, parents should cultivate a healthy wariness of giving them to their children. The long-term effects of ADHD medications are not yet well known, and there are signs that the drugs can retard growth and lead to substance abuse or emotional problems later in life. Teens who take Ritalin may be tempted to mix it with alcohol, marijuana, or other recreational drugs, creating a dangerous brew with unknown consequences. Also with many conventional prescription drugs, the most compelling argument against ADHD drugs is that they fail to address the cause of the problem. Without the underlying cause being treated, children may have to take Ritalin well into their twenties.
There are many factors working against all of us in our culture of diets of processed foods. The best way to ensure that your child eats an additive-free diet is to buy only fresh foods and prepare them yourself. You don’t need to prepare special meals for your child: instead, feed your entire family a whole-foods diet. Younger children will usually eat what everyone else is eating, especially if you can reserve a small portion for them before you season the meal for the adults.
Regularly serve brain-healthy foods that are rich in essential fatty acids. Examples include fish (trout, salmon, halibut), nuts (walnuts, almonds), and ground flaxseeds.
If your child suffers from ADHD, it is likely that he or she is allergic to at least one food product.You may already suspect that a certain food is a trigger for your child, and you should target that product right away. Also you should closely examine your child’s consumption of the following, all of which are common allergens:
- Wheat
- Corn
- Chocolate
- Peanuts
- Citrus
- Dairy
- Soy
- Food coloring
- Preservatives
A study involving youths ages 4-19 with ADHD found that daily supplementation of phosphatidylserine (a naturally occurring substance found in high concentrations in brain cells, it helps brain cells function properly) at dosages between 200-300 mg daily for 4 months benefited greater than 90 percent of cases. Attention and learning were the symptoms most improved.
Calcium and magnesium complex: the combination of these 2 minerals, at a dosage of 500 mg of calcium and 250 mg of magnesium twice daily was reported to relax the nervous system.
Take a probiotic to maintain good bacteria in the digestive tract.
Iron deficiency is linked to short attention spans and memory problems. A daily tablespoon of unsulfured blackstrap molasses is a naturally sweet way to give your child an adequate amount of this mineral.
B vitamins are healing to stressed-out nerves. Good sources include brown rice, brewer’s yeast (which you can add to smoothies and yogurt), and leafy green vegetables.
Many children with ADHD suffer from an excess of copper or lead. Food that’s high in vitamin C will encourage the release of these toxins from the body, so feed your child citrus fruits for dessert.
Encourage your child to play or exercise outside in the fresh air. Limit exposure to sedentary, passive activities, like watching television or playing video games.
Work with a counselor to help your child with behavior modification and learning styles. Every child is different and requires an individualized approach. Emotional counseling may be necessary for healing, especially in cases of broken families or abuse.
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Kidney stones have become an increasingly common medical problem in our Western society, mainly due to poor dietary habits. Kidney stones are most likely to affect white men over the age of thirty. People of any age, race or sex who live in the southern United States have a higher risk than the other regions.
Although many kidney stones are so small that they pass unnoticed, they can be as big or bigger than a marble. They are very sharp and jagged, and can produce great and often excruciating-pain.
If you have been diagnosed with or suspect that you have kidney stones, then you should be under the care of a professional. Your doctor will rule out other conditions or underlying causes and will check for infection.
Complementary therapies offer effective, natural pain relief for more minor cases, but on the whole, it is far easier to prevent kidney stones in the first place.
History holds a clue to their prevention: Back in the early 1900’s when Americans ate natural, wholesome foods, kidney stones were largely unheard of, but as the century wore on, and as diets became lower in fiber and higher in fat, sugar, dairy, and junk, the disorder became much more common. Today, a man living in America has a 10 percent chance of passing a kidney stone at least once in his life.
There are different types of kidney stones, with 80 percent being composed of calcium salts, especially the oxalate type, so let’s talk about how to prevent calcium-oxalate stones.
SYMPTOMS
- Pain on one side of the lower back, in the belly, or down into the groin
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Blood and sediment in the urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chills and fever, if the stones causes a blockage and an infection
ROOT CAUSES
- A poor diet
- Dehydration
- Urinary pH balance
- Allergies and food sensitivities
- Infections that disturb the flow of fluids
- Obesity
- Inactivity
- A magnesium and potassium deficiency
Many people with kidney stones suffer from dehydration. A lack of fluids increases the mineral concentration in the kidneys and, with it, the chance that stones will crystallize. While you have a kidney stone, drink 2 1/2 to 3 quarts of clean water every day. Once the stone has passed, resume a normal daily dose of 1 glass every 2 waking hours. Hydration is the single most important tactic in the treatment and the prevention of kidney stones.
Consume oat and wheat bran daily, as they reduce the risk of kidney stones being formed.
Lemon juice mixed with a little hot water is another remedy that will help acidify the urine and ease the passage of calcium-oxalate stones. Drink some at breakfast and throughout the day.
Consume 1/4 cup of raw pumpkin seeds daily. Studies show that consuming these seeds reduce the risk factors for kidney stone formation.
A magnesium deficiency has been linked to recurring kidney stones. Boost your levels of this nutrient by eating green leafy vegetables, kelp, soybeans, almonds, and apples.
A study of 55 people with reoccurring kidney stones looked at the effect of supplementing 500mg of magnesium daily for up to 4 years. The average number of recurrences of kidney stones dropped by 90 percent. 85 percent of the people in the study remained stone free, as compared to 41 percent who did not supplement magnesium.
Studies have also shown that the combination of magnesium and vitamin B6 supplementation is very effective in reducing kidney stone formation. One study of 149 people with recurrent kidney stones who supplemented B6 (10 mg) and magnesium (300 mg) had a 92.3 percent improvement in stone formation.
Cranberry extract, studies have shown that cranberry reduces urinary calcium levels in people with a history of kidney stones. It’s also great for helping prevent urinary tract infections.
Also IP-6 (inositol hexaphosphate) Studies show that this supplement reduces calcium-oxalate crystals in the urine.
Finally Uva ursi is a traditional herbal treatment for kidney stones. It relieves pain, cleanses the urinary tract, and fights infection.
Remember it is much easier to put out a small fire instead of a large fire, and it is much easier to prevent kidney stones than pass one of those babies!!
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The dangers of smoking are well known today, so why do people continue to smoke. Well, some people started smoking before the dangers were widely known, while others started in adolescence, when they either felt invulnerable or more likely to want to fit in with a particular social crowd.
However, surveys show consistently that no matter why or when they started, most current smokers do not smoke because they want to but because they are addicted!
Nicotine has long been known to be a deadly toxin. A single pinhead sized drop of liquid nicotine, directly into the bloodstream, would be fatal. So what happens when the normal dose is ingested while smoking?
Nicotine:
- Makes the heart pump faster and work harder increasing the likelihood of heart disease
- Constricts the peripheral blood vessels, contributing to circulatory disorders such as Raynaud’s phenomenon and hardening of the arteries.
If this wasn’t enough, nicotine is not the only ingredient in cigarettes that poses a danger to health. Over 4,000 chemical substances have been identified as constituents of cigarette smoke. Of these at least 43 are known to cause cancer in humans.
Cigarette smoke contains:
- Carbon monoxide (which binds to hemoglobin, interfering with the transport of oxygen throughout the body. It also promotes the development of cholesterol deposits on artery walls. These two factors increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.)
- Benzene
- Cyanide( Hydrogen cyanide causes bronchitis by inflaming the lining of the bronchi)
- Ammonia
- Nitrosamines
- Vinyl chloride
- Radioactive particles
- Other known irritants and carcinogens.
Over the long term, smoking dramatically reduces flow of blood to the brain.
Men who have smoked for years are more likely to have abnormally low penile blood pressure, leading to impotence. The sperm of men who smoke have less ability than that of nonsmokers to penetrate, and thus fertilize, an egg, leading to sterility.
Women cigarette smokers are more likely:
- To experience menopause earlier
- To face a greater risk of osteoporosis after menopause
- To have a much higher risk of developing cervical or uterine cancer
- They appear less fertile
- To have more difficulties during pregnancy
- To have more miscarriages, stillbirths, and premature deliveries
- To have smaller babies which have more health problems than nonsmokers
Infants whose mothers smoke both during pregnancy and after childbirth appear to be three times as likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as infants of nonsmokers.
Children whose fathers smoke also face an increase in health problems. Children of male smokers have been shown to be at a higher than normal risk of developing brain cancer and leukemia.
Smoking dramatically effects nutrition. Smokers break down vitamin C twice as fast as nonsmokers. This effects the gum and teeth health, along with many other processes that speeds the aging process. This can deprive the body of adequate amounts of one of the most powerful and versatile antioxidants at our disposal. Other antioxidant vitamins are depleted as well. Cigarette smoke is high in nitrogen dioxide ozone, which oxidizes the antioxidant vitamins and is known to do damage to DNA.
Tobacco smoking causes an estimated:
- One third of all cancer deaths
- One fourth of fatal heart attacks
- 85 percent of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- 85 percent of lung cancer cases.
Other health problems linked to smoking include:
- Angina
- Arteriosclerosis
- Cataracts
- Chronic bronchitis
- Colorectal cancer
- Diarrhea
- Emphysema
- Heartburn
- High blood pressure
- Impotence
- Peptic ulcers
- Respiratory ailments
- Urinary Incontinence
- Circulatory ailments
- Cancers of the mouth and throat
The good news is that this addiction can be overcome, and that health benefits begin almost immediately. In just 24 hours after your last cigarette, your blood pressure and pulse rate should return to normal, as well as the levels of oxygen and carbon monoxide in your blood. Within a week the risk of heart attack begins to decrease, the senses of smell and taste improve, breathing becomes easier.
Our health is our responsibility. It takes a decision on our part to take control of our actions, which affects not only us but our loved ones for many years to come. Hopefully we will be here to enjoy them. It is said that every cigarette smoked takes off 15 minutes from the end of one’s life. Let’s take action now, You Can Do It!!
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This group of eight water soluble vitamins work together to boost metabolism, keep the skin and muscles healthy, enhance the immune system along with the nervous system. They encourage cell growth and division.
Some of the functions and deficiency signs of these wonderful little troopers are:
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Function
Energy metabolism (carbohydrate metabolism), neurological activity, brain and heart function
Deficiency Signs
Beriberi, this condition characterized by fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, gastrointestinal disorders, weakness, heart abnormalities, fluid retention, stunted growth, poor memory convulsions.
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Function
Energy production, fatty acid and amino acid synthesis.
Deficiency Signs
Corners of the mouth cracking, tongue inflammation, reddening of the eyes, vision problems, dermatitis, nerve damage, malformations and retarded growth in children and infants, decreased neurotransmitter production.
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Function
Energy production, red blood cell formation, formation of steroid compounds, cognitive function and mood.
Deficiency Signs
Pellagra, a condition characterized by dermatitis, dementia, diarrhea, depression, weakness, schizophrenia, anorexia, and lassitude.
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Function
Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats for energy production: production of adrenal hormones and red blood cells.
Deficiency Signs
Numbness and shooting pains in the feet; fatigue
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Function
Formation of body proteins, neurotransmitters, red blood cells; immunity
Deficiency Signs
Mood abnormalities, sleep problems, anemia, impairment of nerve function, eczema, cracking of the lips and the tongue, premenstrual syndrome, depression.
- Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
Function
Prevents neural tube defects ( must be taken by the mother in early pregnancy. The risk is reduced by 60 percent if 600 mcg of folic acid supplement is taken daily by the mother one month prior to conception and through the first trimester. Also reduces the risk of limb and urinary defects.) Cardiovascular health. Red blood cell production. Skin and nail health.
Deficiency Signs
Macrocytic anemia, fatigue, irritability, weakness, weight loss, anorexia, dyspnea, sore tongue, palpitations, forgetfulness, digestive upset, diarrhea.
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Function
Synthesis of DNA, red blood cells, nerve development
Deficiency Signs
Macrocytic anemia, glossitis, spinal cord degeneration, digestive upset, fatigue, mental abnormalities, including irritability, and depression
- Vitamin B7 ( Biotin)
Function
Metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, nail and hair growth
Deficiency Signs
Seborrheic dermatitis (cradle cap) and hair loss in infants, brittle nails and hair .
But stress in our lives drain our bodies of these very important vitamins. And we live in a stressful world. Stress in our lives can cause anxiety, It you suffer from anxiety, chances are that you’re short on B vitamins. B vitamins help combat the effects of stress and will balance your brain chemicals.
Brewer’s yeast is one of the best sources of the B vitamins.
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Among the best things you can do for your health is to keep a healthy colon. And it won’t be healthy if it’s full of old fecal matter that is throwing off toxins, feeding parasites and poisoning you health. You know the saying is true, “death begins in the colon”, because our cancer fighters are in our colon and if its clogged up, the cells that can locate a precancerous cell can’t detect it. Your energy level will thank you for it.
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It’s our gift to ourselves, how we take care of it. We can float through days, months, years, not paying any attention to our health. Yes, we are busy, things to do, children to raise, careers to contend with, but all these areas need us to be healthy. We need clean water & exercise, and nutrition to keep our bodies in good working vibrant condition. Whole foods, fruits, vegetables, vitamins, minerals, the omegas, enzymes, and the probiotics, just to name a few of the things that keep our bodies healthy.
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