You don't see them but they sure eat you

First of all, different biting insects can be repelled by different, natural, phyto-”plant-based”-chemicals, in the form of  the specific plants “essential oils”.  So, in order to get the most effective, broad-spectrum, natural repellent, you must combine a few different of these, insect-repelling essential oils.  If you are making large amounts of insect repellent, a good rule of thumb is to mix the repellent so it’s 5-10% natural essential oil – so mix 1 part essential oil with 10-20 parts carrier oil, alcohol or witch hazel.  For a smaller batch use:

• 10-25 drops (total) of essential oils
• 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil, alcohol or witch hazel

The natural essential oils below work well against most biting insects (mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas).

1. cinnamon oil (mosquitoes)
2. lemon eucalyptus or regular eucalyptus oil (mosquitoes, ticks, and lice)
3. citronella oil (mosquitoes and biting flies)
4. castor oil (mosquitoes)
5. orange oil (fleas)
6. rose geranium (ticks and lice)

Here is a combination of natural essential oils I recently tried; it worked great.  Essential Oil Mixture: Lemon eucalyptus essential oil (mandatory in any formula), citronella essential oil and orange oil.  Test Location: Puerto Vallarta Beaches and Jungle.  Protected the Family Against: Sand Fleas, Mosquitoes and No-See-Ums.

Safe carrier oils and other liquids include:

1. olive oil
2. sunflower oil
3. any other cooking oil
4. witch hazel – (personal choice)
5. vodka – (a cheap generic brand of alcohol will do)

Fresh Fruit & Vegetables = Good Health

These are just some of the fresh fruits and vegetables we will be using for this weeks meals (1/3-8/2010).  Green, brown, red and white onions; cilantro; jalapeno and Serrano chilies; garlic; green cabbage; Roma tomatoes; celery; carrots; cucumber; red and green apple; banana; lemon and lime.  Already in the refrigerator: Romaine lettuce, cauliflower, flat-leaf parsley and broccoli.

Here are just some of the benefits that one may obtain from eating these fruits and vegetables.

Celery and Green Peppers/Chilies: Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that the plant compound, luteolin,  found in abundance in celery and green peppers can disrupt a key component of the inflammatory response in the brain.  Luteolin reduces IL-6 production in microglia by inhibiting JNK phosphorylation and activation of AP-1

Onion: Are rich in the bioflavinoids curcumin and quercetin.  This natural combination is effective in reducing oxidative stress.  Oxidative stress is known to trigger autoimmune disease development and contribute to disease flare-ups.  Studies show that onions support cardiovascular health, help prevent diabetes and atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of colon and stomach cancers.

Chilies Peppers: Frequent consumption of chilies may help fight migraine and sinus headaches; prevent sinusitis and relieve congestion; fight cancer; lower high blood pressure;  reduce inflammation; relieve Intestinal Diseases; help burn fat and lose weight; protect your heart.

Tomato: Are the best source for the antioxidant, Lycopene.  Lycopene has been shown to help protect not only against prostate, but breast, pancreatic and intestinal cancers, especially when consumed with fat-rich foods, such as avocado, olive oil or nuts (This is because carotenoids are fat-soluble, meaning they are absorbed into the body along with fats).  The lycopene in tomatoes may also provide cardiovascular benefits.  Diets rich in tomato products may significantly improve cholesterol profiles and reduce the tendency to form blood clots.

Carrot: Are by far one of the richest source of carotenoids-just one cup provides 16,679 IUs of beta-carotene and 3,432 REs (retinol equivalents), or roughly 686.3% the RDA for vitamin A.  High carotenoid intake has been linked with a 20% decrease in postmenopausal breast cancer and an up to 50% decrease in the incidence of cancers of the bladder, cervix, prostate, colon, larynx, and esophagus.  Falcarinol another active chemical in carrots promote colon health.  The development of emphysema my be reduced with a diet high in vitamin A, even in smokers.:

Apples: Are a rich source of phytochemicals (phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids) and epidemiological studies have linked the consumption of apples with reduced risk of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes.

Garlic: And its preparations have been widely recognized as agents for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and other metabolic diseases, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, hypertension and diabetes.

Broccoli: Like other cruciferous vegetables (kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts), broccoli contains the phytonutrients sulforaphane and the indoles, which possess significant anti-cancer effects.  Broccoli also supports stomach health (anti H. pylori); supports sun-damaged skin; cardiovascular-protective; may prevent cataracts, osteoporosis (high in vitamin K), birth defects (high in folic acid) and is an immune system stimulator.

]]> http://www.advancedhealing.com/blog/2010/01/03/luteolin-curcumin-quercetin-sulforaphane-capsaicin-indole-lycopene-carotene/feed/ 0 http://www.advancedhealing.com/blog/2009/12/11/stress-integrative-medicine-orange-county/ http://www.advancedhealing.com/blog/2009/12/11/stress-integrative-medicine-orange-county/#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:01:11 +0000 Dr. Marcus Ettinger http://www.advancedhealing.com/blog/?p=309

Excessive negative stress has become, over the last 25 years, as much a part of our daily lives as eating and sleeping. Excessive negative stress can be physical (chronic illness, lack of exercise, over-exercising, etc.), emotional (losing a job, winning the lottery, etc.), or chemical (bad diet, drugs, medicines, alcohol, pesticides, etc.).

Excessive negative stress is most likely to be the initial predisposing factor in the cause and prolongation of a disease or illness. Again, the greater the exposure and duration to these negative stressors the greater the susceptibility to acute or chronic illness or body dysfunction.

It is also important to note that not all stress is bad or has negative effects on our bodies. Some types of stress are actually beneficial for us and can increase our immune function, overall strength, emotional well being and longevity. The most beneficial form of stress is exercise, especially swimming and weight training. This type of stress can, in moderation, even negate some of the excessive negative stress’ we face.

When our bodies are exposed to any form of negative stress our organ systems innately responds with what is known as the “fight-flight response”. During this stress induced response, many different and potentially damaging physiological reactions occur. During the initial phase, which can last for seconds to years, digestion and absorption of nutrients are greatly reduced; body tissues begin to break down; the immune system is suppressed; our heart begins to overload and the aging process is significantly accelerated. These are but a sampling of what does occur.

Individuals who are exposed to excessive negative stress may also develop a condition known as adrenal exhaustion. This condition occurs when the adrenal glands work beyond their normal capacity thus eventually shutting down (no more Cortisol, a hormone, being produced). Adrenal exhaustion presents with symptoms similar to those found in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia and hypoglycemia (see table 1).

Table 1

An integrative medicine approach for the treatment of adrenal exhaustion or the effects excessive negative stress are identical. First, it’s crucial to reduce or eliminate as many negative stressors (individual stress factors) as possible.

Second, get plenty of rest, at least 8 hours, starting before midnight; engage in regular, but not excessive, exercise; greatly reduce your carbohydrates intake (bread, sweets, pasta, corn and potatoes); increase protein intake; increase fibrous vegetable intake; drink eight glasses of filtered water daily, and perform deep breathing exercises every morning and evening.

Third, nutritional and/or pharmacological support. To determine pharmacological support we must first determine thyroid and adrenal function via blood tests (thyroid panel including both thyroid antibodies and rT3), and (DHEA, cortisol and progesterone) levels. Nutritional support can be in the form of DHEA and/or Pregnenolone (10 – 50 mg daily) and/or glycerrhizin (25 – 100 mg daily – preferably in the morning). These two supplements safely support proper adrenal hormone levels. DMG (vitamin B15) and Siberian Ginseng have both been shown in Russian clinical studies to help regulate the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal axis. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is the initial precursor, along with our LDL cholesterol to our adrenal hormones, whole C complex (Ester-C w/bioflavonoids) is an antioxidant for the adrenal and the highest concentration of vitamin C out side of the spinal chord and brain is found in the adrenal; and potassium are essential for proper adrenal gland function. Adrenal glandular preparations (Whole Desiccated Adrenal (short-term), Drenamin and Drenatrophin PMG) from Standard Process Inc. will also help to support the adrenal glands. These are but a few options that I have used to support the stress response of the body.

Additionally, antioxidants and supportive products like: CoQ10, glutathione, NAC, vitamin E, bioflavonoids, alpha lipoic acid, SAMe, Gabatone (Apex Energetics), L-tryptophan, magnesium and MSM, will also help reduce the overall oxidative burden placed on the body by the excessive negative stress.

With the above knowledge the road to well being and health is now a much shorter one.

My theory has developed over a 20 year period of time and holds credibility as a corollary to the long-standing law in anatomy and physiology known as – Wollf’s law.  Wolff’s law, in short, states that, “bone remodels according to the physical stress placed upon it.”  As an example: a pitcher’s, pitching arm (humerus, radius and ulna) will be denser than his non-pitching arm.  The opposite of this is, if we lived in outer-space our bones would dissolve (osteoporosis) because of the lack of gravity; no weight-bearing load on the bones.  All of the calcium supplementation, estrogen replacement (for women), and Fosimax (medication) in the world would not prevent this process from happening.

My theory takes Wollf’s law to the next level and states, “Our entire body remodels according to the stress placed upon it: invisibly, physically, emotionally and chemically.” All four of these stressors or outside influences/forces, will directly affect the remodeling of every cell, tissue and physiological function of the body.  This means that our inward and outward appearance and physiological state is in direct correlation to the (way, what and/or how) we sleep, eat, drink, act, exercise, think, deal with stress, or are exposed to stress’ or outside forces.

Physical stress makes-up the largest portion of the overall stressors we will be subjected to on a daily basis. The foods we eat and how often, our exercise level or lack of exercise, chronic postures (work, driving and sleep), chemicals, pesticides, excessive alcohol, medicines, drugs and our body’s own waste products, all influence how we remodel.

If we ingest all of the essential nutrients that our body requires, with all other factors aside, our body will remodel properly. The opposite can be said for eating devitalized food, such as fast food, boxed or canned food; as well as being exposed to drugs, medicines, alcohol, pesticides, toxins, etc… Examples: If we increase protein and weight bearing exercise, an increase in muscle mass and strength will be the result. If we increase fats and/or carbohydrates, combined with a lack of physical exercise, an increase in body fat, blood sugar, blood fats and blood pressure will be the result. This is called: diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and hypertension. Exposure to toxins, pesticides, molds, drugs or excessive alcohol, may lead to cancer, ADHD and many other diseases.

Emotional stress placed on the body will have similar effects. If we feel or are exposed to happiness, joy or generosity, all good stress’ will facilitate a positive remodeling (ex. neurotransmitter and hormone production). If we feel or are exposed to anger, expressed or unexpressed resentment, blame or shame, all negative emotions, this will facilitate our body to remodel in a non-optimum way (increased inflammation on decreased endocrine and brain function – Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s).  The negative remodeling can lead to everything we don’t want to have our body experience, such as cancer, autoimmune disease and body degeneration. The positive remodeling will help increase the immune system and overall strength of the body, leading to a longer, healthier and more vibrant life.

Invisible forces (electromagnetic waves [radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays], gravity and ionizing radiation) are constantly present and can affect us as much as the overt chemical, emotional and physical forces do. The invisible forces, most of the time, actually precede and initiate the physical, emotional or chemical stress’ that causes the remodeling of our body’s cells or, more specifically, the cell membranes.

It’s easy to see from this, that everything we do or don’t do, and everything that is done to us, sometimes unknowingly, affects how our body remodels. This means how we look and how we functions.  The point I am trying to make here is that we can at least be “cause” of over a very large part of this and be responsible for what we do on a daily basis (eat, exercise, rest…) and what we allow around us. If we do not learn from this then we can go through life at “effect” like a stick floating down a river, out of control. By ignoring this theory, negative remodeling will be the outcome and all the negative consequences that come with it. The choice is ours.

©06 January 2009 Marcus Ettinger and AdvancedHealing.Com. All rights reserved (no portion of this may be re-printed or used without permission)