In the case of cancer, the immune system becomes severely
suppressed, partly because of the systemic weakening brought
on by the cancer process and partly because of the negative,
toxic effects of conventional cancer treatment – essentially
chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
A tumour can directly interfere with the functioning of a
vital organ, such as the lungs, liver, pancreas, brain, or
kidneys, in effect, strangulating it. When a cancerous mass
becomes too large, it steals nourishment from the organ,
secreting toxins into it, or causing some form of physical
obstruction that effectively shuts the organ down.
Severe malnutrition or emaciation, which is a condition of
cellular starvation called cachexia (pronounced cah-
CHECK-see-yah) may affect up to 90% of all advanced cancer
patients and account for 50% of all cancer deaths. The
cancer process effectively starves cancer patients, using up
their energy reserves. These effects primarily result from
the body’s shifting to an inefficient use of fuel sources,
as well as the person’s loss of appetite.
Protein-calorie malnutrition is not uncommon among
hospitalized patients in general, and can lead to overall
weakness, apathy, increases in mortality and surgical
failure, a reduction in immunity, and poor responsiveness to
treatment. Some cancer patients die from hemorrhage
(uncontrolled blood loss from a failure of the blood to
clot), which is a frequent cause of death in leukemia, but
can also occur when a tumour grows into a large blood
vessel. Cancer can impair the blood’s ability to form clots
and internal bleeding can occur readily and persistently.
Cancer can also cause excessive clotting and the formation
of thrombi (plural of thrombus, which is a blood clot
attached to the interior wall of a vein or artery), cutting
off the blood supply to a vital organ.

To learn more about my “Top 10 strategies to conquer

cancer naturally”, register to this FREE TeleClass.

KNOW BETTER!
We know that viruses, tiny pathogens that appear to be
impervious to all manner of treatment and attack, cause
colds and flu. The only offense, really, is a good defence.
You can bolster your defences in as little as a month, and
stay healthy all winter long by taking one small step every
day. Here’s the plan (and it doesn’t involve any leeches!).
1. Ain’t no sunshine.
In the winter, we’re exposed to less sunshine – the body’s
main source of vitamin D – so levels of this crucial vitamin
drop dramatically. \”Low levels of vitamin D are associated
with greater incidence of colds and flu, and generally
decreased immunity,\” says Joel Fuhrman, MD, author of Eat
For Health, \”Most people need a supplement ; aim for at
least 2,000 IU a day during winter months.\”
2. Drive the vampires away.
And maybe most colds too: garlic contains allicin, alliin,
and sulfides, compounds that increase immune-system
activity. In one study, volunteers who took garlic
supplements had significantly fewer colds than the placebo
group. Those who did catch colds recovered faster than the
untreated group. Take a daily supplement during cold-and-flu
season, and add garlic during cooking (eat it raw, if you
dare) for maximum protection. For supplements, take 320 mg
of garlic with a minimum of 3.4 percent alliin one to two
times daily.
3. Grab the soap and start scrubbing.
Frequent hand washing can remove germs and dramatically
reduce colds and flu. Keep your hands away from your face,
especially after going to the grocery store or any other
crowded indoor location. Hand-to-mouth and hand-to-nose
contact is the main way people introduce bugs into their
bodies, says Fuhrman.
4. Curl up with a good book
- and a hot-water bottle. Keeping the belly warm is a
traditional Chinese remedy for warding off colds and flu.
While you’re warming your belly, sip a cup of
immune-boosting tea; try one that contains astragalus, an
herb that’s used in Chinese medicine to strengthen the
system and stimulate immunity.
5. Drink responsibly.
Too much alcohol can reduce the ability of white blood cells
to kill germs. When you do drink, choose red wine; it
contains powerful antioxidant compounds that can boost
immunity, and some studies suggest it may even enhance
immunity in small amounts.
6. Eat your broccoli-
it’s high in isothiocynates, antioxidant compounds that help
protect against viruses, says Fuhrman. Other crucifers, such
as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale, offer the same
protection. Aim for at least five 1-cup servings a week of
crucifers – frozen veggies make prep easier.
7. Get steamy.
A warm-mist humidifier during the winter mouths can help
prevent colds and flu by preventing excess dryness, which
irritates mucous membranes and can make them more
susceptible to infection. To keep other rooms moist, add a
few drops of tea tree oil and eucalyptus to a pot of water
on the stove, bring to a boil, and simmer throughout the
day.
8. Snack Smart.
Chips, cookies, and other junk and processed foods are high
in omega-6 oils, which trigger inflammatory response and
weaken immunity, says Richard Weinstein, DC, author of the
Stress Effect. Much on raw almonds, baked rice cakes with
almond butter, or whole-grain pretzels.
9. Something’s fishy.
Salmon, sardines, and other oily fish are high in
omega-3-fats, which step up immune system activity. They
also help balance excess omega-6 fats. Other good sources of
omega-3 fats include flaxseeds, walnuts, and omega-3 eggs.
Or take a supplement – 250 mg EPA from fish oil morning and
night is best.
10. Gut-level help.
Taking probiotics strengthens the immune system. In two
studies with children, taking lactobacillus and
bifidobacteria decreased the frequency of upper respiratory
tract infections. Take a product that lists the strain name
of the bacteria, such as DDS-1 or NCFM strain, with at least
5 billion of each organism per day.
11. Hands-on relief
. Regular massage may help the immune system work better. In
one study, white blood cell counts in children with leukemia
increased significantly after a months of daily massage. If
you don’t have a regular therapist, search your area for
local massage schools; they often discount-rate massages
from advanced students.
12. Hit the hay.
Too little sleep can leave you open to frequent illness,
says Fuhrman. The reason: our bodies release powerful
immune-enhancing compounds during deep sleep. Ensure sounder
sleep by going to bed at the same time every night, keeping
the room dark and quite, and avoiding caffeine – even tea
and chocolate – in the evening.
13. Mushroom magic.
Mushrooms support the thymus gland’s production of immune
cells, says Weinstein, strengthening resistance to
infection. Shiitake, reishi, and maitake are best, but
eating any mushroom – even button, cremini, or portobello -
will help.
14. Hang out with funny people.
Hearty laughter enhances immunity; even anticipating
cracking up can reduce stress hormones and boost protective
hormones. As an added benefit, it increases circulation and
enhances digestion. Watch a hilarious movie or go to a
comedy club for cold-busting belly laughs.
15. Not so sweet news.
Sugar is an immune-system killer. The amount of sugar in two
cans of soda can reduce the ability of white blood cells to
kill germs by 92 percent, says Carolyn Dean, MD, ND,
coauthor of Solve it with Supplements. Skip the sugar (you
don’t need it, anyway) and get your sweet fix with grapes,
berries, and dried fruit.
16. Chicken soup cure.
The old wives’ tale cure has scientific proof; some studies
have shown that chicken soup contains a number of substances
with anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Spice up your soup with
garlic, cayenne, and turmeric; all have immune-enhancing
properties.
17. Stress less.
Studies shown that chronic stress makes us more susceptible
to illness. High-tension living boosts levels of adrenaline
and cortisol – stress hormones that suppress the immune
system by as much as 38 percent, says Weinstein. Find ways
to ease anxiety: do a brief meditation morning and night,
breathe deeply throughout the day, schedule less.
18. Pick a pepper.
Red, green, and yellow bell peppers are the richest sources
of immune-boosting vitamin C; other good food sources
include strawberries, peaches, papaya, apricots, and
broccoli. Aim for at least two servings a day. And while
studies show vitamin C doesn’t prevent colds, high doses (8
g a day) can shorten the duration. Check with your doctor
before taking a dose that high.
19. Get moving.
Dancing and other forms of exuberant exercise lifts mood,
increases blood flow, and dramatically enhances the body’s
efficiency in removing free radicals, says Fuhrman. Shoot
for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise – try skiing, hiking,
swimming, or dancing – at least four days a week.
20. Decrease the Java.
Too much caffeine jolts the adrenal glands and stimulates
overproduction of cortisol, says Weinstein, eventually
weakening the immune system. However, small amounts of
caffeine can stimulate immunity, according to Chinese
medicine. Green tea boosts immunity because of other
compounds it contains. Sip with lemon and honey to a soothe
sore throat if a cold strikes.
21. Pick some herbs.
Herbalist Susun Weed suggests five to 10 drops of yarrow
tincture daily to boost immunity. And be careful with
echinacea, the common cold-fighting herb; taken on a regular
basis, it can disrupt immune response, says Weed.
22. Munch on almonds.
They’re rich in vitamin E, which enhances the body’s
production of immune cells that destroy bacteria. Other good
sources include sunflower seeds, spinach, turnip greens, and
tomato sauce; have at least a serving a day. For maximum
protection, take a vitamin E supplements; in one study,
people who took 200 IU of vitamin E per day got fewer colds
and upper respiratory ailments.
23. Turn up the volume.
Listening to stimulating music can boost immunity; in one
study, 50 minutes of exhilarating dance music raised
antibody levels in volunteers, and deceased stress hormones.
Even better: making your own music. In another study,
volunteers in an amateur drumming group showed dramatically
enhanced killer cell activity. Invest in some recordings of
upbeat music, and try a local drumming group to boost
immunity during cold winter months.
24. Eat’em raw.
Oyster are the best source of zinc; deficiencies in this
immune-boosting mineral can impair white blood cell activity
and weaken defences. Crab, beef, and beans are also high in
zinc. Or take a daily zinc supplement; look for the
gluconate form, which is thought to be the most effective.
And don’t overdo it; the upper limit for adults is 40 mg,
and high doses can interfere with iron and copper
absorption.
25. Be happy.
A sunny disposition seems to make us sturdier. A recent
study found that people who were negative, moody, nervous,
and easily stressed had a weaker immune response. Write a
daily list of 10 things you’re grateful for to change your
outlook. And smile, even if you don’t mean it. It can boost
your mood fast.
26. Become a tea drinker.
Tea contains L-theanine, a compound that primes the immune
system’s response to bacteria and viruses. In one study,
immune cells from tea drinkers responded five times faster
to germs than the blood cells from coffee drinkers. Stock up
on a variety of teas-try jasmine, Irish breakfast, white
tea, and Darjeeling – for the most flavorful protection.
27. Om time.
Tone your body and boost immunity with yoga. Some asanas
(postures) are especially helpful in gearing up the immune
system. The cobra, fish, bow, bridge, and pigeon postures
stimulates thymus, the locus of the immune system; breath of
fire helps the respiratory tracts; and camel relieves
congestion. If you’re not familiar with these postures, find
a reputable yoga studio (better than a health club) and ask
an experienced teacher for guidance.
28. The big chill.
A brief cold-water shower is thought to improve resistance
to colds and flu during the winter months. This traditional
cure is thought to improve the activity of virus-fighting
compounds in the body, increase disease-fighting antibodies
in the blood, boost blood flow to the organs, and improve
mood. If you’re game, make it a quickie – just a few
minutes; dry off fast and bundle up when you’re done.
29. Brew a potent potion.
Traditional Chinese medicine recognizes several types of
colds and flu, and uses different herbs to address each. For
a \”wind-heat\” cold (characterized by sore throat, runny
nose, cough with mucous, headache, and fever) brew loose
chrysanthemum and peppermint leaves into a tea; strain
sweeten with a little honey, and sip twice a day.
30. A spoonful of sugar.
Or, in this case, honey; it’s natural cough suppressant
that’s been used for hundreds of years. In one study, a
little buckwheat honey before bed worked better at ceasing
coughing than dextromethorphan, the typical cough
suppressant in over-the-counter medicines.

Which ones are your favorites?

All of these are aimed at boosting your immune system.  To learn more about boosting your immune system and much more, check out my new “STOP surviving and and START thriving” Tele-Course starting soon.

     Simply put, arthritis is an inflammatory condition of
one or more joints; however, there are various types
including:
     – osteoarthritis
     – rheumatoid arthritis
     – fibromyalgia
     – gout
     – lupus
     – lyme disease
     – Reiter’s syndrome
     – psoriatic arthritis
     – Sjogren’s syndrome
     – ankylosing spondylitis
     While each of the above conditions are characterized
by their own specific symptoms, common elements of each are:
     – pain
     – swelling
     – stiffness
     – diminished range of motion
     – deformity
     While individual cases will vary in both scope and
complexity, a naturopathic approach involving a combination
of acupuncture, herbs, homeopathic, and nutritional support
should be tailored on an individual basis to address two key
areas: a) reduction of inflammation and b) strengthening
of the joint structures ( cartilage, ligaments, and
capsule).
     On a general level, there are some simple actions
which can be taken to : a) decrease inflammation in the
body:
I) Eat more fresh pineapple between meals; pineapple
contains bromelin, an enzyme that decrease inflammation.
ii) Avoid the nightshade family ( tomatoes, white potatoes,
peppers, eggplant, tobacco).  Solanine, the substance
contained in these foods, causes joint pain.
iii) Use hot castor oil packs ( for instruction, call the
office).
iv) Check for possible food sensitivities using an electro
dermal acupuncture device ( call the office for more
details).
v) Apply cayenne pepper paste ( cayenne pepper and
wintergreen oil) to painful and inflamed joints.  Capsaicin,
the substance present in cayenne pepper, relieves pain and
inflammation.
     b) To nourish the joint structures, you can:
I) Consume more foods containing sulfur ( eggs, asparagus,
garlic and onion); sulfur helps repair of the joint tissues.
ii) Eat more foods containing histidine ( rice, wheat, and
rye), which removes the excess metals from the body.
iii) Eat deep-sea fish ( contains the good fats that
nourish the joint tissues; decrease pain and inflammation as
well).
     It is of paramount importance to remember that each
case of arthritis is individualistic.  Naturopathic medicine
recognizes this fact as its core belief: treat the
individual, not just the disease. To start decreasing 

inflammation and pain today, start Dr.Natrajan’s

nutritional cleansing program asap.
     Stay well

to  all the  benefits of vitaminC, you can now  add decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin C is found widely in most of the fruits and vegetables. A daily intake of a variety of fresh raw fruits and vegetables will ensure or fulfill the daily recommended dosage. Vitamin C food includes citrus fruits and fruit juices like oranges, limes, lemons, tangerines, Indian gooseberry and guava. Other vitamin C foods include green peppers, papaya, mangoes, strawberries, cantaloupe, dark leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, red peppers, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, potatoes and sweet potatoes. Recommended daily allowance for vitamin C is 75 mg for adult women and 90 mg for adult man. The requirement of vitamin C increases during pregnancy, breastfeeding, among smokers, people with gastrointestinal diseases and hyperthyroidism.
Keep the following points in mind for better availability of vitamin C

1.     Cooking can destroy vitamin C to a large extent. So it is preferable to include fresh and raw fruits and vegetables in the form of whole fruits, fruit juices or salads to ensure maximum availability.

2.     Vitamin C is a very fragile vitamin and can be oxidized easily. So cut a fruit or vegetable only when needed because if left open then there is loss of this vitamin.

3.     Vitamin C is water soluble so can be easily lost in water. Don’t cut a fruit or vegetable after chopping.

4.     Vitamin C is present in small amounts in animal tissues but before reaching the table it is either destroyed due to exposure to air or during processing or cooking.

If you haven’t had a chance to listen to my CARDIOVASCULAR Health & HEART Disease PreventionT.S., you can still get the recordings here.               

To ensure you are register for my next FREE Teleseminar, sign up here;  it’s on Naturopathic  DETOXIFICATION/CLEANSING

For suggestions about future topics of interest to you, please leave me a comment in the comments box below.  I’m ALWAYS interested in your feed-back.

More of us die from broken heart than any other ailment. Although we know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in Canadians over 45, few of us have questioned the conventional ways that we try to combat it. Sure, we’ve been told about healthy habits to reduce the risks – by losing weight, reducing red meat consumption and avoiding stress. But physicians continue to prescribe cholesterol-lowering (statin) drugs, calcium beta-blockers and high blood pressure medications to millions of Canadians, with side effects that outweigh benefits.

But there are more natural and sensible ways to strengthen our heart. In fact, one of the greatest scientific minds of the 20th century, Linus Pauling, Ph.D., said that doctors have got it all wrong.

Every year half a million people die from coronary heart disease.  In a recentCNN article discussing a new study based on the data from the Framingham study concludes: The study “reaffirms the notion that coronary heart disease is the 800-pound gorilla of disease in this country, now and for the foreseeable future,” says cardiologist Dr. Stuart Seides.   Heart attacks were virtually unknown before the turn of the century.  Our diets, especially in “developed” countries have gone through dramatic changes in this period.  There is a very real connection between this new disease and our new diets.

Dr. Pauling, a two-time Nobel Prize Laureate and recipient of over 40 honourary degrees,  stressed that it isn’t cholesterol or even fatty foods that cause heart troubles; he was convinced it is caused by malnutrition. Instead of medications, Dr. Pauling believed strongly in curing heart disease with vitamin supplements. But even though millions of lives could be saved  annually by simply taking a few common, inexpensive vitamins, the medical industry would have little incentive to prescribe them.

Linus Pauling himself ingested 18,000 mg daily of vitamin C daily in order

to approximate the tissue levels of an animal of his body weight.

The few species which include humans, that do

not make their own vitamin C suffer a condition called atherosclerosis,

where white plaques narrow the arteries. This disease has been misnamed

“heart disease” because it often leads to a heart attack. The disease is not

prevalent in species that make their own Vitamin C

Vitamin C is required for tissue integrity.  Tissues that are under constant stress are particularly vulnerable to degradation from C deficiency.  This is certainly true of our arteries. 

Shortly before his death at 93, Linus Pauling and Matthias Rath had completed work on the link between atherosclerosis and Vitamin C (please see the link in the side bar).  They had concluded that chronic Vitamin C deficiency lead to a serious compromising of our arterial system.  Our bodies respond to this situation with a healing process.

According to Pauling, vitamin C prevents illness due to its role in manufacturing collagen, the protein that helps make the walls of blood vessels. He was convinced that vitamin C can help prevent cardiovascular disease by reversing damage done to blood vessels. Vitamin C’s link to healthy  blood vessels is supported by scurvy studies. It causes collagen breakdown, resulting in ruptured blood vessels, so victims bleed to death.

A great misfortune of human evolution, Dr. Pauling stated, was when our ancestors’ bodies lost their ability to manufacture vitamin C , discarded when we had a steady supply of fresh-picked fruits and vegetables. Ever since humans migrated away from the tropics, we’ve suffered deficiencies (vitamin C begins to quickly deteriorate as soon as fruits and veggies are picked.

When arteries are compromised, our systems produce a specialized, sticky form of low-density lipoprotein- called Lp(a) which attaches itself to the arterial wall to prevent blood seepage.  This is consistent with where arterial plaque is found – where there are lesions and where there is particular stress (i.e. at branches, in arteries, not veins, due to the pressure and in coronary arteries due to the stress of the constant motion).

Heart disease is a misnomer because there is no

malfunction of the heart. The underlying disease process is characterized

by scab-like build-ups that adhere to the walls of blood vessels. As the

arteries narrow, the blood supply to the heart and the other organs is

reduced, resulting in angina (”heart cramp”), heart attack and/or stroke.

The more correct terminology is chronic scurvy, a sub clinical (difficult to

detect) form of the classic vitamin C deficiency disease scurvy.

In this lectures, Pauling discussed vitamin C’s connection with lipoprotein (a), a substance linked to cardiovascular disease and a major part of plaque found in blood vessels of atherosclerosis patients. Certain fats in the blood have the ability to plug the leaks caused by lack of vitamin C by forming a kind of plaster (plaque). These are cholesterol, lipids, and lipoprotein (a). He claimed that lipoprotein (a) tries to strengthen blood vessels walls by coating them if there isn’t adequate vitamin C in the diet. He felt lipoprotein (a) was more of a factor in heart disease than cholesterol, which is a secondary tool used by the body to coat the cracks and fissures in the walls. This sticky cholesterol is a special kind of cholesterol made in our livers and not the cholesterol we get from fatty foods. Again, all plaque in the arteries is laid down as temporary repair material for damaged blood vessels. This happens only when the body is malnourished. The coating, however, narrows arteries, eventually causing blockages – and heart attacks and strokes. None of today’s heart drugs lower lipoprotein (a) levels.

Dr. Pauling created a formula for halting these effects. His therapy included megadoses of vitamin C, of course, but it also included supportive B vitamins including vitamin B3 (niacin) which also lowers lipoprotein (a), and vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid. Key amino acids l-Lysine and L-proline, vitamin A and E, magnesium, selenium and omega-3 oils were also added. He was adamant that this simple formula could stop and even reverse the majority of cardiovascular disease cases. He practiced what he preached, gradually increasing his daily dose of vitamin C to 18 grams.

What does vitamin C do? It increases  HDL (high density lipoprotein), or good cholesterol, and decreases lipoprotein (a), cholesterol and triglyceride production. It is also thought to lower blood sugar and insulin requirements. By relaxing the blood vessel walls, it lowers blood pressure when hypertension is present, and it stops inappropriate clot formation, which is often the final cause of heart attacks and strokes.

When Pauling died in 1994, he knew that cardiovascular disease would continue to rise in epidemic proportions. In the US and Canada, every other person will die of heart disease. Each year, $ 100 billion is spent on surgery and medications for vascular heart disease in the US. The bottom line is that lipoprotein (a) levels, which are rarely checked by doctors, may be the real risk factor in cardiovascular disease only because this fat is trying hard to repair damage done by eating too little of what we need.

Your heart works 24 hours a day with no breaks. It can be difficult to get enough nutrients from your diet for this hard –working organ. Supplement with vitamin C and other nutrients- they’re your body’s major line of defence against heart troubles.

For more information on Cardiovascular health & Heart disease Prevention, listen to my Cardiovascular health & Heart disease Prevention Tele-seminar;  you can get the FREE recordings here:  http://telehealthsecrets.com/rcv