If you’re on the prescription drug Zoloft, it’s a good thing you’re not a fungus!  Scientists experimenting with the effects of the best-selling anti depressant have discovered that the well—known pharmaceutical has a major toxic effect on yeast cells.  It distorts their normally curved membranes and triggers the cell to start eating themselves.  According to pharmacologist Ethan Pearlstein of Princeton University, yeast doesn’t have any serotonin, so there’s no reason to expect any effect, let alone such a bizarre suicidal one.  According to Pearlstein, a molecule of Zoloft “…should be completely innocuous to a yeast cell, the way an antibiotic would be innocuous to a viral infection”.  What exactly the clinical implication are, of this self destructive response to Zoloft, for patients taking the drug, remains to be seen, but the unexpected findings has pharmacologists salivating at the prospect of new targets for the next generation of anti-depressants.   In the words of author Pearlstein: “Altogether, our work suggests that the serotonin-based theory might be an oversimplification and that the cause of depression is not a closed story.”  The question of whether or not this toxic effect on yeast can make Zoloft an effective anti-fungal agent has not yet been addressed, but it may be something that pharmaceutical companies will be looking into for future research.  In a paper published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, doctors describe the fungicidal effects of Zoloft on three patients being treated for depression with concomitant vaginal yeast infections.  Apparently all three patients experienced improvements in symptoms associated with their fungal infections while taking the anti-depressant medication.  The researchers concluded: “The potential offered by sertraline (Zoloft) against fungi is sufficiently great to merit further studies by investigators in the field of infectious diseases…To support potential systemic use, animal models and clinical trials are highly warranted.”

Mind Your Brain

There are two areas in the brain involved with experiencing.  The first is called the narrative circuit and involves judging whatever you are experiencing through the filter of your past experiences, perceptions and opinions.  It’s the part of your brain that’s activated when you are worrying, stressing and planning.  The narrative circuitry is verbal and chatty and it’s you can tell it’s been activated when you can’t enjoy your day in the sun on the beach because you can’t help thinking about your job or the IRS or your dysfunctional family.  If you’re washing the dishes and you haven’t noticed the feeling of the water on your hands or the smell of the dish soap as its molecules hit your nostrils you are probably dealing with an activated narrative circuit.  For the wannabe brain scientists out there the specific areas of the brain that are associated with the narrative circuit are called the “medial prefrontal cortex” and the “hippocampus”.  What’s most unfortunate about this narrative circuit, is that in addition to the way it obliviates the present moment is the fact that it is our default way of perceiving our experiences.  That means that that this way of perceiving is active for most of our waking life and requires very little to intentional effort to operate. In other words, unless we pay attention to our experiences and sensations willfully, we are doomed to missing the immediacy of our experiences, spending much precious time in our heads rather than in our lives.

The other way of perceiving events requires activation of a second brain area called the direct experience circuit.  If you are washing the dishes and you have an active narrative circuit you may not notice that you’re washing that delicate crystal glassware until you shatter it and cut your hand.  At that point you will immediately switch on your brain’s direct experience circuitry and that change will probably be punctuated by a scream or an “Oh shit!” response.  That’s because while the brain’s narrative circuit is activated by default, emergency conditions that require an immediate response activate the direct experience circuitry.  The area of the brain that activates direct circuitry is called the “insula”, which is involved with bodily sensations.  That’s why paying attention to your breathing or your body or any somatic qualities a great way to escape the constant narrative circuitry chatter.

The good news about the direct experience pathway, aside from its serene and non-verbal nature, is the fact that it is associated with the release of pleasure chemicals in the brain, specifically the neurotransmitter dopamine.  This surge in dopamine is so delicious that sometimes people can become addicted to it.  That’s why some intrepid folks crave real life-threatening experiences like sky diving or bungee jumping.  And that’s why some slightly less intrepid folks crave pretend life threatening experiences like horror movies and roller coaster rides. 

The trick to making the most out of the brains circuitry and biochemistry and life experiences as well, is to watch your brain and intentionally activate direct experience circuitry.  If you find yourself with an overactive narrative circuitry which can show up as worrying and stressing about potential future events or regretting or replaying past events you can willfully turn on the direct circuits in the brain by focusing on your body or your breathing.  Try picking a body part, like your hand or foot and placing all your attention on it.  Feel its subtle energy and shape.  Notice that for the few seconds that you’re focusing on it that the narrative chatter has quieted down and you can perceive a palpable sense of pleasure as the direct circuits have been activated. 

Something else that you can use to activate the direct experience circuit is mental silence.  Unlike the narrative center, which as the name implies, depends on labeling, judging and languaging skills, the direct circuit is activated by silence or as Martha Beck puts it in her very interesting book  Finding Your Way in a  Wild New World, "wordlessness” .  In fact according to Ms. Beck, adopting a wordless perspective not only stimulates neurology in the direct circuit, but feelings of bliss and rapture can be initiated as well.  When the neurologist Jill Bolte Taylor suffered a stroke in her narrative center and was neurologically forced into perceiving from her right side wordless brain she too described a sense of bliss and rapture.  She chronicles her story in her book My Stroke of Insight.  I find the story of her experience and recovery so inspiring that I have two copies of her book, one for home and one for the office. 

How we perceive our world,  is a direct result of how we mentally process the events of our lives.  Thus, understanding the brain and it's mental machinery is an important key to an effective and pleasant life journey.  With regular practice at paying attention to these two ways of experiencing you will gradually begin to know when your brain narrative’s circuitry is active and conversely, when the direct circuits have been switched on.  And from that point it will become easier and easier to initiate the pleasure chemistry of direct experience whenever you desire.

PERIODS AND PROBLEMS

OMG!  HMB, the latest disease acronym to hit the medical lexicon now has a pharmacological option for “treatment” (whatever that means!).  It stands for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding and it affects lots of woman, 10-20 percent of child bearing age, according to freemed.com, and the real number may be larger, as many cases go unreported.  Not to worry though, if you’re one of the millions of HMB sufferers, for the Pharmacology Fairy has come to your rescue.  Doctor’s have now received blessings from government regulators (or, if you prefer, pharmaceutical interest protectors) for dispensing Natazia, the first, FDA-approved, oral contraceptive, indicated for the “treatment” of HMB.  Never mind that the side effect profile for this hormone cocktail reads like a laundry list  of unpleasant stuff you don’t want to have happen to you, including: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ acne, weight gain, headaches, breast pain, nausea, vomiting and ironically enough, problem periods and  irregular menstrual cycles!

If you are one of the multitudes of mademoiselles dealing with HMB, (whose symptoms include migraines, lethargy and anemia,  in addition to heavy bleeding), and you don’t want to deal with drugs or the other unenlightened medical protocol used to treat this condition, a hysterectomy, which 60 per cent of patients will undergo,  your best nutritional bet is Essential Fatty Acids.  Use a a couple of tablespoonsful flax seed oil, which contains anti-inflammatory Omega 3’s and make sure you’re getting some nutritional Omega-6’s, such as hempseed oil or evening primrose oil which can be important for stabilizing and slowing down bleeding.   If you prefer capsules, use a good blend that contains a 2 or 3 to 1 ratio of omega-6's to Omega 3's.  GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) is a derivative Omega-6 fatty acid with interesting anti-inflammatory properties and taking 100-200 mg a day is not a bad idea.  Make sure you’re getting fatty vitamins like A (20,000 IU a day) and E (400 IU a day) and probably K as well (maybe 200-300 mcg a day).  I’d be using K2, which is a little more body friendly than K1.   If you’re dealing with fat malabsorbtion, make sure your using digestive enzymes and everyone needs a good probiotic, but this is especially true if there are problems with fat digestion.  Take 80-100 billion units a day and look for multiple strains of bacteria.  That's alot of microbes, but the benefits for this supplement tend to be dose dependent, i.e. more is better. Bile salts and lecithin can help absorption of fats as well.  I’d also make sure I was getting 1000 to 2000 mg of vitamin C and 1 or 2 daily grams of magnesium (chelated is best) which can be helpful for all female health issues.

It’s VERY important to stay away from highly processed foods, trans fatty acids and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats.  Anything that induces digestive stress should be avoided too.   The systemic inflammation that can arise from hard to process foods can make matters far worse than would otherwise be. Also, too many refined carbs can wreak havoc with insulin and sugar chemistry which can exacerbate heavy bleeding issues.

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding is not an inevitable condition.  Despite the inference that the best a woman can hope for is drug intervention, like all other so-health challenges, HMB,  more often than not, involves nutritional deficiencies and digestive issues.  Correct these conditions and it's likely you won’t have to deal with HMB.  Or TPS (Toxic Pharmacological Syndrome) or UMP (Unhealthy Medical Protocol) either!

CHOLESTEROL AND COMPUTER CHIPS

The electrical nature of the human body has been explored by scientists and intrigued researchers who study this stuff, for almost 200 years.  And this week’s edition of New Scientist magazine has a great story on electrical fields and cardiovascular disease that is sure to add to the fascination.

 It turns out that something called “ferroelectricity” (the property non-ordinarily electrical  materials have to store energy), plays a significant role in heart health.  Even though ferroelectricity is a specific type of electrical energy, non-technical readers of this post can simply think of it as plain old household electricity (whatever that is!)

 This interesting electric phenomenon has been exploited by computer engineers for its information storing properties (as always electricity equals information),  And now its being explored as a way to manipulate the cholesterol adhering properties of artery walls.   It seems that cholesterol also has an electric nature and this may be one of the reasons it “sticks” to arteries.  And this is what has cardiovascular researchers so excited.  Scientists in Portugal are reporting in this month’s version of Advanced Functional Materials that amino acids in the aorta, the heart’s most important artery,  are also  potentially electric and it is believed that this may impact the of the formation of aortic cholesterol plaques.  Considering that plaque formation and hardening of the arteries are the leading cause of heart disease and death, these findings may lead to important advances in cardiovascular health.  In fact, some researchers believe that a future generation of cardiovascular drugs may work by changing the electric properties of the vessels of the heart, rendering them inhospitable to cholesterol “sticking”.  According to Jiangsu Li a scientist at the University of Washington, it’s possible that "drugs of the future could have a certain electric charge that could be transferred to an artery wall."

And what’s even more interesting is they may lead to the development of molecules, like the heart’s electrical amino acids, that can actually be used as information storage devices, in much the same way that electric memory chips store information in our home PCs.  Wouldn’t it be cool to have biological molecules like amino acids function as little information storage devices?  Or, could it be possible the divine force/evolution has already beaten us to the punch!

Top 3 Electrical Nutrients for the Heart

1. Essential Fatty Acids 
2. Vitamin C 
3. Taurine

Interesting Bio-electrical Facts

• pH is really a measurement of electrical energy.  An acid pH  (0-7) is an excess of electrical charge, while an alkaline pH (7-14) represents relatively reduced electrical energy.  
• The heart generates an electrical field that can be measured up to 10 feet outside the human body.  That means that there is literally a huge interlocking electrical field surrounding our little blue planet that's composed  of smaller fields, emitted from 7 billion human hearts, merging into one big field of electrical energy!
• Water conducts electricity.  Drinking water and maintaining tissue hydration helps keep the maintain a healthy bio electric field.  Dehydrated athletes's and regular people too can experience a rapid increase in energy and a sense of well being when hydration is restored.

The Thrill of Krill

The more I learn about Krill Oil the more excited I get.  After being in the health care business for thirty much of it working directly with ingredients, I must admit to being somewhat jaded when it comes to new ingredients.  

The first I heard of a new type of Omega-3 type ingredient on the market my finely honed baloney detector signaled a red alert.  Not another EFA!   How could a new EFA even work, what could really be different?  Well as it turns out it is different, very different.  And in a very good way.  First of all a quick and concise digression on the basic nature of EFAs is in order.  To be technically proper there are two EFAs and only two.  One is called linoleic acid (LA) and is known as Omega-6 and the other is called alpha linolenic acid (ALA) is usually referred to as Omega-3.  One of the really neat things about LA and ALA is that they get turned into things, lots of things, including important substances for the brain and for the heart and ultimately they serve as raw materials for mega-powerful chemicals (called “eicosanoids”) that have a role to play in almost every single physical and biochemical reaction in the body.  Two of these derivative substances which are produced via alpha linolenic acid (Omega-3) are called DHA and EPA.  And they’re very, very important, although they are not essential.  Taking a nice daily dose of DHA and EPA is probably a good idea but certainly not in lieu of ALA, which is only found in a relatively few places, seeds like flax chia and hemp being the most well known sources. Now DHA and EPA, those are typically found in sea creatures.  Until Krill, the only place to get DHA and EPA in a concentrated form was through fish oil or cod liver oil.  (Interesting fact: snake oil contains high amounts of EPA and the old exaggerated claims that have it given it it’s pejorative idiomatic meaning probably derive from hyperbolic claims made for what is in actuality nothing more than a good nutritional supplement).  And, because of the inherent instability of these molecules, fish oil wasn’t stable of nutritional supplements.  There are lots of horror stories of fish oil and cod liver oil samples with elevated levels of free radicals  an indication of rancidity, an oil gone bad.   

Enter Krill OI.   As it turns out, these tiny crustaceans have figured out a way to maximize the biochemical properties of DHA and EPA.  It seems like they attach a little molecule called a phospholipid to the DHA/EPA complex and thereby render it somewhat water soluble.  And that makes the DHA and EPA from Krill Oil super effective.  It allows it to partition into both the fatty tissue of the body as well as the watery fluids.  This basically turns the EPA into a biochemical switch hitter.  Just like a baseball player that can hit both right handed and left handed, this DHA/EPA-phospholipid complex that nature has given the lowly Krill makes these important nutritional fats super-versatile.  It means that when you’re taking Krill Oil not only are you getting highly significant fatty acids with their own nutritional benefits; you’re also getting phospholipids which are important for the health and longevity of every single one of the 100 trillion cells in the body and are especially health of the nerve and brain cells and the digestive system.  

And there’s more too.  Krill oil contains high amounts of molecules called carotenoids (one called astaxanthin has been recently touted by the Mike Adams the Health Ranger for its skin protecting and anti-sunburn properties) derived from the copious amounts of algae that the tiny crustaceans devour.  These carotenoids not only add to the nutritional benefits of the Krill Oil by supporting skin health, the eyes and cardiac health are beneficiaries too.  And, the astaxanthin provides the Krill Oil with it’s most important property.  It acts to protect the inherently unstable fatty acids helping keep the EPA and DHA more stable for a longer period of time than fish-based oils.  Add to all these features the fact that Krill contains Vitamins E, A and D and you have yourself one amazing nutritional supplement.

The most striking health benefits of Krill Oil involve anti-inflammation.  Omega 3s in general have anti inflammatory properties, but it seems that all of the unusual biochemical compounds found in Krill give this stuff some extra powerful anti inflammatory effects.  A recent study published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that just a 300mg daily dose of Krill Oil  “significantly inhibits inflammation and reduces arthritic symptoms within a short treatment period of 7 and 14 days”.  It’s seems to be especially effective on arthritis pain  And, Krill Oil also has powerful affects on blood fats and sugar.  A number of studies have demonstrated effectiveness on raising HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and on reducing blood sugar levels.  And, most notably, it’s was shown in a study published in the August 2003 edition of Alternative Medicine review to be effective in reducing physical and emotional symptoms associated with PMS.

So, if you’re using fish oil capsule now, you might want to consider adding in or even replacing your dose entirely with Krill Oil.  The biochemistry is certainly compelling and the literature is there to support it.   The only company making Krill Oil is Neptune Technologies out of Canada, so any brand you get is going to be pretty much the same stuff.  Look for the cheapest but never at the expense of freshness. 

Top 12 Tips and Tools for Easy Detoxification Part 2

While genetic tendencies (and epi-genetic factors) as well as stress and poor nutrition play an important role in illness, underlying almost all manifestations of poor health is toxicity. And I'm talking about both internal and external toxicity which are obviously related. Human beings have been saturating their outer and inner environments with poison since the dawn of history. These days, we actually enter the world as a toxic mess. Even newborn babies have been shown to have high levels of toxic pollutants. In 2005 Greenpeace published a report titled "Hazardous Chemicals in Umbilical Cord Blood" where they concluded that hazardous chemicals are a common occurrence in umbilical cord blood. Newborns tested out at a whopping average of 287 toxins, 180 of which were known carcinogens!

Toxic air can be filled with literally hundreds of deadly and carcinogenic compounds, (some like chemtrails intentionally depositied there for no "known" reason), not to mention radioactive waste from disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima. When human fat biopsies are performed styrene, dioxins, xylene and dichlorobenzene among other unsavory, unhealthy and potentially carcinogenic chemicals shows up in 100% of cases. There are deadly chemicals in water too, fluoride and chlorine may arguably provide benefits, but no one can discount their truly toxic nature. Water is also a source of other unpleasant drinking material including prescription drugs and industrial (and even human) waste. Pesticides are an especially serious problem. Measurable levels have been found in breast fluid from mother's milk around the world, including Eskimos living in the North Pole, thousands of miles from source of the nearest farm or fruit orchard. Internally there is no way to know exactly how much toxicity we're dealing with, but it's safe to say the average person's detox system is probably being overloaded. Food, stress, trauma, experiences in addition to interfacing (really integrating) with our toxic external environment can put quite a load on the body's ability to clean itself out and over time lots of nasty stuff can end up in various bodily fluids and tissues.

But it's important to recognize that indeed we have a detox system. In fact the human body is remarkably well equipped to handle alot of poison! But it needs certain substances to do its work. In a later post we'll talk about the liver and what's known as Phase 1 and Phase 2 detoxification, but for now let's just say there are some key nutrients we should all be using to keep the poisons our bodies have to deal with the more manageable level. Maybe we've done such a number on our planet that there's no way we can completely clean it up but let's not forget that the human being grew up in a world filled with natural poisons too. There are chemical processes built into the body to allow it to detoxify and purify itself, but by and large these processes require raw materials in the form of nutrients. Last post we listed Part One of the top 12 Detox supplements, focusing on treatment and non-nutritional approaches. Below is Part two of the Top 12 detox nutritional supplements (with apologies to fans of the B-complex, alpha-lipoic acid, probiotics and fiber, which while important for detox, did not make this list) for supporting the body's ability to detoxify in an unfortunately very toxic world.

1. MSM 500-1000mg daily, NAC 100-500mg daily. both contains sulfur which is a key player in biological detoxification. Sulfur attracts (chelates) havy metals and is an important component of the glutathione system, perhaps the most powerful detox system in all of biochemistry. Provide protection from lead and mercury poisoning. Sulfur even has anti-inflammatory properties. It's probably a good idea to use MSM (absorbable sulfur) and the sulfur amino acid cysteine in the form of NAC (so potent a detoxifier that it's part of the emergency room protocol for liver poisoning) on a daily basis.
2.Selenium 200-400mcg daily - important for activation of the glutathione, the major human biological detoxification molecule. Protects fats from oxidation and is specific for protection from heavy metals like mercury. Selenium is the most important trace mineral for anti-oxidant defense. Powerful anti-cancer protectant, important for cardiovascular and thyroid health too. This is one you can take too much of so keep your daily dose under 800mcg daily. For optimum effects take as selenomethionine. Garlic, onions and cruciferous vegetables are great food sources of this important mineral.
3.Vitamin E 400 iu daily - Important for keeping fats in cell membranes and organs from oxidation and heavy metal assault. Important fro recycling anti-oxidant detox substances like Vitamin C and glutathione. Works synergistically with selenium. Tocotrienol form more protective than tocopherol form.. Especially protective for smokers (lung) and alcoholics (liver). Improves detoxification of pharmaceuticals. May also decrese the effectiveness of medications (which is of course a consequence of their toxicity). This one is difficult to get from foods so supplementation is a must.
4.Glutamine 1-5 grams daily- essential for the production of glutathione, the body's major detoxification substance. Required for liver detoxification pathways and works synergistically with Vitamin C, E and selenium. Importance for digestive health also support detox functions. Most abundant amino acid in the body, relevant for health of all cells.
5.Vitamin C 1 to 10 grams daily - Spectacularly important nutrient for detoxification and immune system support. Works synergistically with Vitamin E, selenium and glutathione. Protects against cancer and heavy metal poisoning. Provides neutralizing protection from lead. May provide protection from chlorine. Sucrose (sugar) reduces its effectiveness. Especially effective against radiation. Improves elimination of toxins through bowel movements. Non-toxic in even very high doses.
6.Good Minerals- nutritional minerals protect against heavy metal poisoning by minerals with similar electromagnetic properties. Zinc protects against cadmium (smokers are especially at risk from cadmium in tobacco). Calcium, magnesium and zinc provide protection from aluminum. Iron, copper and zinc help may keep lead toxicity at bay. Iodine provides protection from bromine and fluorine and radioactive iodine (e.g. Fukushima). BTW, if you're interested in testing your nutritional status, ask for an RBC (red blood cell) test. The most accurate measurements for nutrient levels and heavy metal toxicity are done directly on cells NOT plasma, the watery/protein portion of blood.

Top 12 Tips and Tools for Easy Detoxification Part 1

One of the most popular subjects in the world of health and nutrition is detoxification. Perhaps it’s a manifestation of the recognition we all have of how much we've trashed the world we live in. The pollution of our planet is proceeding on an incomprehensible pace and as a society, we are fast approaching a tragedy of biblical proportions. Understanding how to keep the our body’s biochemical machinery pristine and protected is one of the most important lessons we can learn if we are going maximize our health, longevity and quality life and minimize our risk of disease and degeneration.

The bad news is, we’ve done such a toxic number on our environment, that it’s almost impossible to escape our poisonous legacy. The Bright Side is the human body has healing, regenerating and detoxification systems built into it. There's no need for fancy or expensive detox programs. In fact, in a healthy body there are 7 different systems that can purify fluids and tissue. Yet while the lungs, liver, colon, skin, kidneys, lymph and blood are are all automatically and spontaneously involved in moment to moment purification, for many us these systems can become overloaded. Besides avoiding (as much as is practical) exposure to poisons, there are numerous inexpensive and easy to use supplements and strategies to help improve and strengthen these built-in cleansing systems. Below you will find Part 1 of the top 12 tips and tools you can use to improve biological detoxification in a very toxic world. For more good health information, make sure to listen to The Bright Side (www.brightsideben.com), Monday thru Friday 8:00-9:00am PST on the Genesis Communication Network.

1. Exhaling - while most people are aware of the importance of oxygenation, it seems like far fewer understand how to exploit the the exhalation process. Carbon dioxide, lactic acid and other gaseous toxins are eliminated on the out-breath and simple deep breathing practices are cheap (free!) and effective ways to maximize the cleansing action of the respiratory system. This is especially important for smokers! And, of course, regular aerobic exercise is a great way to promote healthy exhalation detoxification. As a bonus benefit, the neurology associated with exhalation shows up as a relaxing affect on the heart.

2.Water - dilutes poisons and improves elimination through the kidneys and lungs. Eat water-rich foods (veggies especially) and drink lots of purified (distilled or reverse osmosis is best) water generously throughout the day.

3.Chlorophyll - Electromagnetically attracts toxins and allows them to pass harmlessly through the body. Eat lots of veggies and chlorella, spirulina and other seaweed products. Chlorophyll also acts as a source of magnesium, which plays an important role in biological detoxification.

4.Zeolite - electrically charged mineral structures with millions of micropores that effectively trap heavy metals. So effective for radiation contamination that the nuclear industry uses it to mop up toxic spills. May function as an anti-oxidant and can help support blood alkalinity too. Take 5 to 15 grams a day and look for premium micronized (vs. milled) form for best results.

5.Bentonite Clay- magnetically attracts toxins in a manner similar to zeolite. Especially effective for intestinal purification. Mops up colon toxins and parasites for rapid elimination. Use 1-2 tablespoonful in 16oz of water. Water absorbing properties can help improve diarrhea symptoms too.

6.Far Infra-red Saunas (FIS)-special saunas that emit energy which is directly absorbed by the body. Unlike regular saunas which heat the air or steam and then indirectly heat the body, FIS therapy has been shown to have dramatic effects on detoxification. In addition to maximizing the removal of toxins through sweat, Far Infra-red Saunas are also known to kill certain bacteria and parasites, detoxify cells by radiatory vibration and decrease the size of biological water clusters which can mobilize stored toxins and make them easier to excrete.

TOP 12 NUTRIENTS FOR THE HEART Part 2

According to
the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, nearly one in 5 Americans is
dealing with some form of heart disease.
Much of this is needless suffering and can be alleviated with
appropriate life style strategies.
Exercise is important. So is
making good food choices and being a non-smoker. But there is nothing more important than
getting on a good nutritional supplement program. Last post we listed the first part of the top
12 supplement for cardiovascular health.
We conclude with part 2 below.
For more detailed information make sure to listen to The Bright Side on
the Genesis Communication Network, daily 8 to 9 PST, 11-12 EST (www.brightsideben.com).

Omega 3s
–thin the blood and relax blood vessels allowing for more blood flow and
oxygen to the heart. Provide well-researched and dramatic protection against
cardiovascular disease and fatal heart attacks. Reduces inflammation and may
improve blood fats and cholesterol too. Fish oil works but Krill Oil may be
even better.

CoQ10
–super vita-nutrient for the heart. Used by cardiac cells to produce energy and
as a defense against rogue oxygen “sparks”. Thousands of studies show protection against all forms of heart disease. May help lower blood pressure too. Look for oil-soluble gel caps.

B-vitamins
–protection from cardio-toxic homocysteine. Intimate involvement in energy production
chemistry make these nutrient absolutely indispensable for protection against
all forms of heart disease. Vitamin B3 helps lower triglycerides and cholesterol too. Water-soluble format leads to rapid excretion and potential deficiencies. Dissolve in liquid and drink them all day long for maximum benefits.

Carnitine
– take as L-Carnitine or for maximum cardiac benefits as Propionyl L-Carnitine.
A must-have supplement for all form of heart disease. Critical for the production of energy from fat
(fat-burning) by cardiac cells. Numerous studies demonstrate benefits for coronary artery disease as well as myocardial ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart).

Vitamin E
– provides vital cardiac protection from oxidized (rancid) cholesterol plaques. Thins blood and helps maintain heart oxygenation. Reduces free radical activity in heart. Take as both tocopherols
and tocotrienols (mixed tocopherols and mixed tocotrienols) in mixed format for best results. Especially important for smokers and as protection from a second heart attack.

Chromium
– low levels associated with increased risk of heart attacks. Chromium deficient diabetics especially at risk
for heart attacks. Critical role in sugar metabolism provides benefits for the cardiovascular system. May improve high blood pressure too. Niacin bound form (chromium polynicotinate) most effective for protection from heart disease.

TOP 12 HEART NUTRIENTS Part 1

Last post we defined some of the common terms associated with heart disease. Now, for some of the important nutrients you can take to protect your heart and avoid the cardiologist's office or even worse, his knife! And, to keep you off the especially dangerous drugs. Cardiac and circulatory drugs are among the most toxic and deadliest of the entire prescription pharmacopeia. If you're on medication now, you can ask you can ask (or even better insist!) that your physician wean you off your meds and get you on some non-toxic, good nutrition. And if you're not on meds, there is nothing like a good diet and supplement stratagy to keep you far away from the pharmacy for heart meds or anything else.

In no particular order, here's the first 6:

Vitamin C– this powerful nutrient sometimes gets overlooked when it comes to
cardiovascular health. Animals (except for humans, some other primates and guinea pigs) all make their own Vitamin C and animals (except for humans, some other primates and guinea pigs) don’t get heart attacks!

Magnesium – keeping blood from becoming sticky and blood sugar control are just two of
the mechanisms associated with this underappreciated and often time deficient
mineral protects the heart. Some scientists believe that the cardiovascular benefits attributed to aspirin should have be credited to the magnesium found in the “Bufferin” that was used in the original studies.

Selenium– Known as the heart mineral, selenium deficiencies are also somewhat common
and numerous studies show that supplementation can deliver many cardiovascular
benefits. It’s especially helpful in protecting the heart form low levels of oxygen and it’s protective against heavy metal poisoning of heart cells. Deficienciesare associated with Keshan Disease, a particular fatal form of cardiomyopathy.

Arginine –protects the cardiovascular health in so many ways, it’s a must-have for anyone concerned about heart disease. Lowers blood cholesterol very effectively, especially in high doses (10 to 15 grams a day), improves coronary , as well as general circulation and lowers high blood pressure. Helps prevent blood clots and helps strengthen heart muscle. Very important for angina suffererers. In Europe and Japan it is injected directly by cardiologists to reopen blocked circulation.

Vitamin K – helps maintain clotting balance, especially when using Vitamin E. Protective against hardening of the arteries and calcium regulation function helps maintain heart rhythm and
contractility. Use with medical guidance when taking blood thinning medication like Plavix or warfarin.

Taurine – Helps lower blood pressure and improves the excretion of excess fluid which
takes pressure off of blood vessels. Strengthens heart muscle and helps maintain calcium balance in heart cells. Critical in maintaining heart muscle
contraction.

Heart Disease Simplified

With 64 million Americans suffering some form of heart disease and over a million
deaths attributed annually to what is the number one cause of mortality in the
U.S., there is perhaps no health issue that is more worthy of discussion then
how to keep your heart healthily humming.

We’ve been talking about nutritional supplements for improving heart health on The Bright
Side (you can click on the listen live link or check out the archive page at http://www.brightsideben.com/ if you’d like to learn about some of the many strategies you can use to
protect yourself from heart disease) and indeed there are lots. In fact, even more important than the specific nutrients and dietary routes you can take to your help your ticker, is
the very idea that if you have heart health issues and you’re on a prescription
drug and you want to get off of it, there are many, many non-toxic,
non-pharmaceutical options you can use that restore cardiac vigor and at the
same time contribute many other health benefits.

In a later post, we’ll list the top nutritional and dietary strategies for improving
cardiovascular health. In this article we’d like to begin to clear up some of the confusion that surrounds the names and descriptions of the various forms of heart disease.

Atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis) – “sclerosis” is the Greek-derived medical term for “hardening”, thus athero- or arterio-sclerosis refers to hardening and thickening of arterial walls (also known as “hardening of the arteries”). This can ultimately lead to a blockage of blood supply and oxygen, and subsequent to damage to heart cells. The ultimate fate of
long term blood and oxygen deprivation can be heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks. The biggest problem associated with prevention of arteriosclerosis is its asymptomatic nature. Unfortunately many people do not know that there coronary arteries are hardening until they suffer from one of the unfortunate end results.

Angina – literally form the Latin for chest pain, this unfortunate condition affects an estimated 10 million Americans. Symptoms of angina are similar to those of a heart attack and include chest pain and pressure, nausea, sweating, dizziness, difficulty breathing and throat, upper back, shoulder or jaw pain. Unlike a heart attack however
the symptoms are temporary and usually subside with rest. Still, angina symptoms are a serious sign of cardiac deficiency and need to be addressed immediately.

Myocardial Ischemia (MI) - refers to a lack of blood flow to the heart. Myocardial means “heart muscle” and ischemia is the Greek term for “stopping blood”. The most likely cause of is arteriosclerosis and the end result of long-term blockage can be permanent damage to the heart muscle. A sudden, severe ischemia will often result in a heart attack.

Cardiomyopathy– literally, heart muscle disease, this is a generic term that describes a diseased heart muscle and results in a diminished pumping action.
This typically refers to a weakened left ventricle, which is responsible
for the ejection of freshly oxygenated blood through the aorta to the rest of the body.

Myocardial Infarction (MI) – colloquially referred to as a “heart attack”, an MI occurs after a section he heart has been deprived of blood long enough for heart cells and ultimately
heart tissue to begin to die. Symptoms like chest pain and pressure can resemble those of angina except unlike angina rest does not bring relief. Interestingly, although there are 1 million heart attacks that occur every year in the U.S, it is estimated that another 200,000 occur unrecognized
because they have no symptoms. These so called “silent heart attacks” occur
most commonly in diabetics.

Arrhythmia – when the normal pacing (rhythm) of heart beats is disturbed, and the heart beats either too fast (“tachycardia”) or too slow (“bradycardia”), the abnormal pacing of
heartbeats is called an arrhythmia. These can be caused by non-heart conditions like lack of sleep, too much caffeine, and fever or thyroid disease. If it is related to cardiac pathology the cause can be an electrical malfunction or disturbance in the heart’s blood supply caused by fatty deposits and plaques. Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias include palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, panic sensations and chest discomfort.

Heart Failure (HF) – while still pumping normally during HF, the heart’s blood supply begins to slow down and either it’s structure or size begin to change. There may be no dangerous symptoms as the heart begins to fail but gradually signs like fatigue and difficulty exercising (which may be attributed incorrectly to normal aging) eventually will begin to show up.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) – As heart failure progresses, eventually blood is not pumped into or out of its chambers and fluid begins to accumulate and “congest” the lungs and heart. The lungs can become stiff resulting in constant fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath. Swelling in the extremities is a common occurrence with CHF. Sometimes CHF suffererers will
awaken from sleep with sensations of breathlessness, coughing or wheezing. Neck veins may be swollen and occasionallythere is indigestion, a feeling of fullness or a lack of appetite. According to the Texas Heart Institute, people over 40 have a 1 in 5 chance of developing Congestive Heart Failure in their lifetime.

Weight Loss Guaranteed!

Considering the
facts that 100 million Americans are either obese or overweight and that the
number one New Year’s resolution for most of us is weight loss, one of the most
surprising points about pound reduction is how simple it is to do. However, simple is not easy. In other words, while the biochemical principles
involved in losing fat are not complicated in theory, in actual practice, the steps
involved are more than likely to meet with resistance. That’s because, human beings are creatures of
habit and we HATE change. In fact, while
most people think that the most common fears are the fears of death or public
speaking or maybe the fear of the IRS, in actuality, what these, as well as all
fears have as their common denominator, is the fear of CHANGE. So if your fear of changing your lifestyle
and habits is too great, the only way you will accomplish the change of body
contour that comes with weight loss is probably going to be by using ephedrine
or Fastin or some or some other pharmacological furnishing. If however, you are truly ready to face the
changes that a thinner you mandate, the following are the only 10 steps you
need to take in the formation of a new skinnier you. And, what’s even better, as a reward for
taking the following steps, in addition to losing weight you will also:
-
drop
your blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health
-
improve
blood sugar and diabetic or pre-diabetic symptoms
-
reduce
your risks of cancer and degenerative diseases
-
improve
skin health
-
have
more energy
-
feel
a whole lot better

10 Steps to GUARANTEED Weight Loss

1)
Reduce
(eliminate) intake of insulin-spiking foods (breads, pasta, cereal, potatoes, corn, beans,
rice, fruit juice, soda, candy, desserts etc.).
2)
Strengthen
insulin with supplements (chromium, vanadium, thiamin, niacin, magnesium, zinc,
alpha lipoic acid etc.).
3)
Replace
insulin spiking foods with generous amounts of high quality protein (whey
protein, slightly cooked or raw eggs, hempseed protein powder, and fish.)
4)
Use
lots of unprocessed and essential fatty acid rich oils, preferably unheated
(Udo’s Blend, coconut, olive, macadamia nut, butter).
5)
The
bulk of calories should come from veggies of all varieties and colors (easy on
yam, beat and carrot). Daily intake
should be at least one pound of veggies for every 50 pounds of body
weight. Blend veggies with oils and
Celtic sea salt. Create veggies snacks.
6)
Stay
away from food allergens.
7)
Ingest
stomach stretching, non-caloric substances (fluids and fiber) with all meals. Drink copious amounts of water throughout the
day. Many times we eat foods when all we
really need is water. Distinguish hunger
from thirst!
8)
There
are two kinds of eating. The kind of
eating we WANT to do and the kind of eating we HAVE to do. Have to do eating occurs rarely. The large majority of caloric intake is not
based on need but rather on social and psycho-emotional requirements. Eat when hungry and DO NOT EAT when not
hungry (social, habit, taste, fun, boredom, etc.). And most importantly, daily nutritional
supplementation can significantly reduce reduce the amount of eating you have
to do.
9)
Use
metabolic stimulating and fat burning nutrients (B-complex, carnitine,
glutamine, iodine, Omega-3 EFAs, taurine, methionine etc.).
10) Drink water with Celtic Sea Salt and
nutrient drinks (e.g. Beyond Tangy Tangerine™) throughout the day.

If you have at least 5 or 10 pounds of weight to lose and you follow these 10 simple (if not easy!) steps, you will drop pounds, GUARANTEED!

Think Zinc! Part 2

Last post we discussed all the ways zinc and the lack of it can affect the body. Skin clarity, bone health and immune system integrity are just some of the ways this essential nutrient can impact health. Taking a daily 50mg dose of zinc can help prevent and reduce the duration of colds (as I write
this post, there’s a television commercial running that promotes the use of a cold remedy called “Cold-Eeze” which contains a small amount of zinc gluconate), eliminate acne and improve eczema. Zinc's powerful hormone balancing properties can help improve prostate health and prevent male pattern baldness. And zinc is important for the health of sperm cells and may imporve male fertility. All in all, zinc is important for hundreds of different biochemical reactions; this stuff is amazing!

That’s what I mean when I talk about the importance of nutritional
supplementation. Think about the leverage here: one little pill with 50mg of
Zinc in it (about the amount of zinc that would fit on the head of a pin) can control and
stabilize and spark several hundred chemical processes in the body. Now that is
some serious clout!

And, the most incredible part is how little 50mg of zinc costs.
What would you expect to pay for a (magic) pill that could keep hair on your
head, cure your acne, strengthen your bones, build your immunity, enhance your
digestion, improve the function of your heart and help you think more effectively?
And, with no downside when taken as directed. Would you expect to pay 100
dollars for a month supply? It would beworth it! In fact, for all those benefits, 100 dollars a month would be an incredible bargain. Well, surprise, surprise! A 30 day supply of zinc at a health food store will typically cost less than 5 bucks!

You can tell if you’re deficient in zinc by doing the “zinc taste test”. You
can use a solution of zinc sulfate and water (available online) or you can place a zinc
sulfate tablet on your tongue. If you’re not instantly repelled by a strong metallic taste
chances are pretty good that you’re suffering from a lack of zinc.

The best way to get zinc into the body is supplementally in the picolinate and
monomethionine forms. These are available in most health food stores, but they
are harder to find at drug stores where the typical forms available are zinc
gluconate and zinc sulfate. The bioavailability of these cheaper zinc varieties
is less than satisfactory and many people find that they can cause nausea or other digestive
distress. A good daily dose is 50mg a day and once you get going you can skip a day or two here and there. Interestingly the signs of zinc deficiency (such as acne, hair loss, frequent colds and flues) can be duplicated by taking too much zinc (100mg a day is too much). It’s also
important to note than there is an antagonistic relationship between zinc and
copper and it’s probably a good idea to take 2 mg of copper with every 50mg of
zinc. Look for chelate or glycinate forms of copper which are easily handled by the
body.

For those of you who want to try to obtain zinc through diet, in addition to
the aforementioned oysters and the Rocky Mountain variety, the best sources include
liver, lamb, venison, and sesame and pumpkin seeds. However, it should be noted
than even then highest zinc concentration foods provide only 10mg or so per
serving.

SUMMARY:
-Zinc deficiency is relatively common.
-It’s important for hundreds of different biochemical systems to work
effectively.

-The zinc taste test can alert you to deficiencies.
-Deficiencies can show up in dozens of different ways including depressed
immunity, bone problems, skin rashes, eczema and acne, digestive distress and
hormone issues.-The zinc taste test can alert you to deficiencies.
-All you need is a couple cents worth of zinc (50mg a day) to
meet your zinc requirements and prevent the signs of deficiency.

Think Zinc! Part 1

In Dr. Ananda PrasadIn's seminal book “The Biochemistry of Zinc”, the nutritional chemist’s go-to guide for all things zinc, there is ample picture proof of the tragedy of deficiencies in the super, unbelievable important mineral. Page after page of photographs taken of children and adults who suffer from nutritional lack of zinc depict the impact of deprivation of this vital nutrient. Stunted growth, skin lesions, hair loss, wasting away syndromes, where the body becomes emaciated and frail, are all vividly portrayed. And zinc deficiency can cause less dramatic health problems too: immunity, skin and bone, the brain, the eye, reproductive and general hormone health, and blood sugar balance and insulin and digestive integrity largely depend on the presence of this incredibly important nutritional metal.
The scariest thing about zinc deficiency is its frequency, which makes it one of the most significant and widespread nutritional deficiencies in the world. 1 out 3 people world-wide is at risk for zinc deficiency and in developing countries, where cereals and grains (which contain zinc-binding compounds and are often-times grown on zinc deficient soils) provide the bulk of caloric intake, it is the 5th leading risk for disease.
Zinc is involved in over 200 different enzyme systems in the body. In other words, if there is any manner of deficiency, literally hundreds of biological systems will be operating at less than peak efficiency. The net result of zinc deficiency is a body that is dramatically less effective at growing, repairing and cogitating and is less able to perform, thrive and resist stress and disease.
Zinc is a key component of the body's wound healing system. This can be especially helpful pre and post surgery. And, one of the best ways to help heal a sore throat and shorten the duration of a cold or a flu) is to suck on zinc lozenges. Most people notice relief within a day.
Zinc may be the single most important nutrient for acne-prone skin. In a laboratory, acneic lesions can be induced in animals by creating zinc deficiencies. Anyone who suffers from acne or acne-like blemishes should consider add a daily 50mg dose of zinc to well-rounded supplement program.
Pregnant women would be especially wise to watch out for zinc deficiencies. Not only does the developing fetus benefit from this critical nutrient, but deficiencies are associated with the development of stretch marks. And mothers to-be should be aware that there is scientific literature that indicates that zinc deficiency may persist for generations. In an article published in the journal “Science”, test animals who were deprived of zinc demonstrated a depressed immune system that persisted for 3 generations! Men get special benefits too. Supplementing with zinc is one of the best ways to protect the prostate. It’s important for improving sperm count, semen is especially rich in zinc. And, zinc’s supportive role in testosterone metabolism has given the mineral a well-deserved reputation as nutritional support for libido. Perhaps this accounts for the notoriety that oysters and the Colorado variety, Rocky Mountain oysters (which are both relatively high zinc) get for being aphrodisiacs.
Zinc is plays a critical part brain function and mental health. It’s been used to treat autism, ADHD and depression. Low levels in children have been associated with learning disabilities. In the 1970’s Dr. Carl Pfeiffer reported that zinc supplementation, when taken with Vitamin B6 was 95% per cent successful in treating certain types of schizophrenia.
There’s an important relationship between zinc and vitamin A. Zinc is required for Vitamin A to be activated and transported in the body. In the absence of zinc, Vitamin A deficiency is sure to follow. Vitamin A is required for eye, skin, bone, and heart and brain health and is also an important part of the immune system. In other words, in addition to all of the problems directly associated with a lack of zinc, deprivation of this key mineral can also induce a long list of Vitamin A deficiency symptoms as well.
We'll continue with some practical ways to maintain Zinc health in a coming post...

The Disease of Kings

For most of human history the most health issues were related to deficiencies. In the past few decades however, new types of illnesses are appearing. These are conditions that, unlike diseases dominant in days of yore, are related to abundance not deprivation. These so-called “Diseases of Excess” include some of the most lethal killers in the entire spectrum of sickness. In fact, heart disease, cancer and diabetes, the three leading causes of death in the United States are all at least partially related to pathologies of plenty.
One of the most pesky and painful of the Diseases of Excess is gout. Traditionally known as the Rich Man’s Disease (Alexander the Great, Sir Isaac Newton Benjamin Franklin and King Henry the VIII were some of the more well-known historical luminaries who had to deal with this troubling health condition) because of its association with rich, fatty, protein- dense foods, today gout affects millions of Americans with little regard to financial or social standing.
Gout is best thought of as a type of arthritis (inflammation of the joints) which is caused by the accumulation of a substance called uric acid (UA). UA blood levels increase in response to specific types of foods when they are ingested in copious quantities. When this occurs, UA crystals can precipitate out in inappropriate nooks and crannies in the body and big health problems can ensue. UA can crystallize out in the kidneys causing kidney stones, it can pile up and form lumps in the skin (so-called “tophi”), or most troubling of all, it can accumulate in the joints of the hands and feet where the jagged UA crystals can cause the excruciating pain and inflammation that is known as gout.
The first major culprit in the development of gout is fructose, which we’ve been beating up on in the last few posts. The association between high uric acid and the ingestion of fruit sugar is so definitive that Dr. Richard Johnson the author of “The Sugar Fix” says uric acid levels can actually serve as a marker of fructose poisoning.
The second important cause of UA elevations and gout are proteins that contain substances called “purines”, which are little protein-like pieces (technically called nucleotides) found in all living cells. Because of their role in cell chemistry purines are largely concentrated in animal foods like meats (especially organ meats) and fish. Yeast can also be a source of purines , much to the chagrin of many beer-loving gout sufferers. In an article published in the medical journal “The Lancet”, researchers found that drinking merely 2-4 glasses of beer a week increased the incidence of gout by 25%.
If you’re one of the 5% or so of Americans who suffer from gout take heart; there are multiple strategies that can dramatically reduce you risks of getting the “Disease of Kings”.
First of all, you’re going to want to stay away from foods that elevate uric acid. High fructose corn syrup is especially verboten and so is most fruit juice (one notable exception is cherry juice, which has a long history as folk remedy for treating gout flare-ups). It’s also best to lay off most fish, shellfish, turkey, chicken and organ meats. And beer drinkers may want to consider switching to wine, which can act to decrease the precipitation of UA crystals. Lima beans and cauliflower and peas are non-animal sources of purines that gout sufferers may want to avoid (note: cooking purine containing vegetables slightly can reduce their purine content)
One of the best non-purine containing sources of protein is derived from whey. In fact, while dairy foods have lots of problems purines aren’t one of them. In addition to whey protein, cottage cheese and yogurt are two other sources of protein that won’t affect uric acid metabolism. Egg whites can also provide purine-free protein, although egg yolks contain a high concentration of the aggravating protein by-product.
Some home protocols for reducing or eliminating the appearance of gout include the use of celery seed (try 1-2 teaspoonfuls a day) or celery seed oil gel caps. The aforementioned cherry juice has been used with some success. And drinking ½ teaspoonful of baking soda in a glass of water every couple of hours (take no more than 7 doses per 24 hours and for no longer than 2 weeks) can help neutralize the uric acid crystals. Make sure you drink the baking soda solution on an empty stomach to keep it from reacting with acidic digestive juices. Even without baking soda, generous amounts of water van help dilute the uric acid crystals making their precipitation far less likely. Lots of people use apple cider vinegar as an alkalinizing substance. Try putting 2 or 3 teaspoonfuls in hot water with honey to make a nice anti-gout tea. And, if you add dried red clover or alfalfa (use a tea-ball) you can boost its anti-gout properties. Finally, because gout crystals are affected by temperature, using a heating pad or foot bath to warm the joints can provide relief by helping dissolve some of the jagged UA crystals.

Fructose is natural, but...

I've been thinking alot about fructose lately. And it seems like so are alot of other people. Every week I get between 10 and 20 letters asking for clarifications about this not-so-sweet subject. Fructose, known colloquially as fruit sugar seems like such an innocuous substance. After al, it come from fruit. And we all know how wonderful fruit is, right? And besides, it's natural!

Well, at the risk of bursting nutritional and mythological bubbles, it seems that, much like everything else, even natural fruit sugar has a dark side. The problem is that humanity's exponentially evolving skills at manipulating technology has gotten so sophisticated that we can now extract sugars from plants with such proficiency that we are all getting far more fructose than the body, and specifically the liver can handle. The average American is ingesting around 60 pounds of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and 140 pounds of sucrose every year. When you do the math (HFCS is usually around 55% fructose and sucrose, ordinary table sugar, is around 50% fructose) we're looking over two pounds of fructose a week, per person, per year. And that doesn't include the amount people are getting from fruit and honey and other sources. That's alot of fructose for a body has evolved and is equipped to handle the sweet stuff in only the smallest of quantities.

So, what's the problem with fructose? Well, because of the human body is not supposed to be dealing with alot of fructose (for millennia it was a rare find), the metabolic systems that metabolize (process and store) it are easily overloaded. This is especially problematic for the digestive system in general and specifically for the liver. The alarming incidences of fatty liver disease (which is so prevalent that it is now considered a normal part of aging) and pervasive intestinal illnesses are at least partially related to the skyrocketing fructose ingestion statistics.

There is some interesting chemical choreography that is associated with fructose metabolism. One of the most relevant biochemical ballets when it comes to human health or the lack thereof, involves the way fructose can combine with the amino acid tryptophan. The resulting interaction can keep tryptophan from getting to the brain and when this happens BIG trouble can follow!

Tryptophan is incredibly important. It's a must-have for the repair, recovery and the building of tissue. And, it's mega, mega important for mood and well being and for getting a good night's sleep. It gets turned into melatonin and serotonin which are arguably the two most important chemicals in the brain and fundamental to mental health. You can think of tryptophan as natural Prozac and from many people fructose will be blocking it's access to the brain.

And there's a fascinating fructose/tryptophan connection to eating behavior. Appetite and satisfaction (the feeling of fullness) a regulated by the brain. We eat or don't eat in response to signals from the brain and one of the most important determining factors in what type type of signals will be sent is the presence or absence of certain chemicals. One of these is tryptophan. The brain in constantly scanning the blood looking for tryptophan and if it can't find any, it sends it's owner out on a highly focused, one-pointed hunt for food. If fructose is complexing with this vital amino acid, dietary tryptophan can become unavailable to the brain and there won't be enough to activate the satisfaction centers vs. the "let's go get a Coke or an apple or some kind of sugar" centers. An insatiable appetite for sugar or other foods is the ultimate result.

Another indication of fructose/tryptophan complexing issues is digestive symptoms like gas and bloating and loose stools, although it can show up in other ways. Especially when they occur after eating and drinking fruits, fruit juices and HFCS containing foods. This is especially a problem with big hits of liquid or powdered fructose which are quickly absorbed. Little kids are major victims because of of the vast variety of fructose-containing processed foods that target children. And mothers, please do not do the "apple-juice-in-the-pacifier-tipped- bottle" thing where your baby sucks the sweet toxin out at his leisure. When your baby cries for his apple juice he's going through withdrawal symptoms that's are just as severe as those associated with opium. The same with adults. There is a well-researched link between the sweet taste and so-called “opioid” receptors in the brain. These receptors are called "opioid" because they respond to opium. In other words, sugar and opium (think heroin) both "turn on" the same chemical systems in the brain. Which means, sugar is essentially brain heroin and when a baby (or adult) goes without it he screams because he's withdrawing! That's one of the main reasons it's so hard to get off of sugar. It's a withdrawal stress on, what is for most people, an already stressed out body system. In a way, ingestion of fructose and the associated problems are better than adding another stress in the form of withdrawal.

Taking 500-1000mg of tryptophan or 100-200mg of 5HTP once a day is a great way to stabilize mood and suppress the appetite. It may also be helpful for sugar cravings. 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful of glutamine powder taken once or twice a day may also be helpful. Glutamine powder is tasteless and dissolves easily in a glass of water. Like tryptophan, high brain blood concentrations of glutamine signal satiety. Both of these supplements can be supportive if you're trying to lose weight. There's alot more you can do if you're trying to extricate yourself from the fructose morass. We'll be addressing those strategies in a later post.

Mental health, sugar and insulin

One of the most important mental health references in my library is called “Insulin Treatment in Psychiatry”. It was published in the 1950’s and it provides ample evidence of how critical changes in blood sugar chemistry are for mental and emotional well-being. There are chapters with titles like “Biochemical Changes in the Brain Occurring During Insulin Hypoglycemia” , “Insulin Therapy in Schizophrenia” and “Trends in Insulin Treatment in Psychiatry” that provide proof positive that manipulations of blood sugar can play a crucial, non-pharmacological role in improving mental health.
Insulin is an anabolic (growth) hormone with many properties, the most striking of which is its ability to encourage fat cells to absorb sugar (glucose) and store it as fat. But what was recognized by old-time medical researchers, many decades ago, was the fact that this same hormone, as well-known as it was for its role in blood sugar control, was also a potential tool for psychiatrists treating various mental disorders.
Why is this so important? Well, the average American is ingesting over 140 pounds a year of sugar and another 60 pounds or so a year of high fructose corn syrup. In 1960 the amount Americans consumed was less than 100 pounds a year of sugar and zero pounds of high fructose corn syrup. If it is indeed true that there is an insulin connection to mental illness, considering the seeming epidemic in mental disorders 21st century Americans are confronting, one is forced to question how much is related to insulin and associated issues with blood sugar.
This question becomes especially significant in the case of children who are the most obvious and notorious consumers of the sweet stuff. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at any given time one out of five American children are suffering from some kind of mental illness. That’s anywhere from 7.7 to 12.8 million kids! 30 to 40 percent have ADHD, 10% suffer from an anxiety disorder, and at any given time, 1 out of thirty three will be clinically depressed and 3 out of 1000 will be diagnosed as schizophrenic.
The statistics for adults are no less alarming. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in four Americans over the age of 18 suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder.
If you go to a physician or psychiatrist and leave with diagnosis of depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD or some other mental health issue, it’s unlikely anyone will be questioning your diet or suggesting nutritional supplements. In fact, the odds are pretty good that you’re going to get a prescription (or two or three) for a psychotropic drug. In a one year survey period from 2006 to 2007 there were 472 million mental health prescriptions written. That’s almost 10 percent of the total annual number of prescriptions written in the U.S.. There are over 170 prescription drugs used for mental health and there are more on the way. According to the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, there are 313 new drugs in research and development that are designed specifically to treat a variety of mental health concerns.
If you are suffering from some kind of mental illness, or you or your children are on a prescription drug that you want to get off of, or if you are being pressured by a well-meaning physician or loved one to start taking a prescription drug, please understand that you have options. And one of the most important ones involves (surprise, surprise) blood sugar and insulin.
Laying off the sugar and refined carbohydrates is the obvious first step. But “just say no” doesn’t usually work. Will-power is relatively useless when it comes to resisting sugar. The best way to wean yourself blood sugar and insulin spiking foods is to increase intake protein and essential fatty acids. It’s probably a good idea to start off all meals with a protein powder drink and 3 to 9 Omega6/Omega 3 capsules or a couple of teasponnsful of a good EFA liquid like Udo’s Choice. Then make sure you’re getting all the nutrients that help the body process sugar. The B-vitamins in liquid form are very important. Vitamins B1 and B3 have specific sugar-metabolizing properties. (Interestingly, Dr. Abram Hoffer used to use these two nutrients as medications in his protocol for treating schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.). Taking 50mg a day of Zinc picolinate and 2000 mg of chelated Magnesium would probably be wise. And, the minerals Chromium and Vanadium are well known for improving insulin response and blood sugar levels. There are many more supplements available for stabilizing blood sugar, and ultimately improving and helping maintain mental health. We’ll be getting to those in future posts.

Beware Ezekial Bread!

I’ve gotten a few questions lately about this stuff called Ezekiel Bread, which a type of bread that’s made largely from grains and beans that have been sprouted. The entire ingredient deck from this particular form of bread includes various organic sprouted grains (wheat, barley, spelt and millet), something called organic malted barley (which acts as a source of sugar and is used to feed by beer brewers to feed yeast), sprouted beans (soy and lentils), water, yeast and salt, Ezekiel bread is named for the prophet Ezekiel, who in the bible was given a recipe for making bread. Ezekiel 4:9 says: “Take also unto yourself wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and spelt, and put them in one vessel, and make yourself bread of it…”
The manufacturers of this stuff follow the recipe and make their product which they call Ezekiel bread. It’s a good thing they didn’t read any further when they came up with the recipe because three verses later in Ezekiel 4:12 we learn that God wants to add other stuff to the recipe. Specifically human feces! The exact line from the bible reads:
“And thou shall eat it as barley cakes, and thou shall bake it with dung that cometh out of man…”!!

It cannot be argued that sprouted breads are healthy choices when compared to regular bread. The minerals in the grains are more available to the human digestive system and they contain more protein. But that does not mean that these types of bread are overall healthy foods, especially if you have sugar problems.
The difference between sprouted breads and regular bread is mostly in the fact that while the latter is made from wheat flour, which is ground up wheat kernels, sprouted bread, is made from wheat kernels that have already sprouted. Because sprouts use up the sugar in the wheat kernels to make protein, Ezekiel bread has less sugar and more protein. But, because the kernels are typically not sprouted all the way, there is still sugar in Ezekiel Bread, not as much as there is in regular bread perhaps, but unless the kernel is completely sprouted and there is nothing left but the shell, you are still getting sugar. Just check out the nutritional facts that are printed right on the label. Every slice of Ezekiel Bread has 15grams or three teaspoonful of sugar in it. And most people are eating 2 or 3 slices. That means you’re looking at 6 teaspoonfuls of sugar if you’re eating a couple of slices. If you eat 3 or 4, that’s 9 to 12 teaspoonfuls of sugar. It’s not ordinary “table sugar”, its starch but it’s still going to get turned into sugar in your body, and it will raise blood sugar and create an insulin response.
One of the most obvious red flags when it comes to sprouted breads like Ezekiel Bread is that fact people really like it! And what is it that makes Ezekiel Bread such a popular alternative among the blood-sugar -conscious folks who try it? It’s probably not the fat because there’s only about ½ a gram of fat per slice of the stuff. And it’s probably not the protein, because there’s isn’t a lot of protein either. There’s a little fiber, but people don’t exactly go crazy about fiber. And you don’t see a lot of folks going out looking for sprouted barely or millet either. The reason people like Ezekiel Bread is the same reason people like most of the foods they eat. It’s the carbs! And the carbs in this sprouted bread are the same as the carbs in any kind of bread, (although the fiber, can slow down the release of the sugar).
Any way you describe it, the facts it is carbohydrates mean sugar! An average slice of white bread has around 20-25 calories, but an average slice of Ezekiel bread has 80 calories. There are over 3 times more calories in a slice of Ezekiel bread then there is a slice of white bread. And these are sugar dense calories. In fact NOT including the fiber (which is non-caloric), almost half the calories from Ezekiel Bread come from carbohydrates/sugar. It may not be pure sucrose or table sugar. It may be in the form of starch, but it will still have an effect on your blood glucose. 3 teaspoonfuls of sugar per slice! Ezekiel bread does have some protein value, so it’s not as bad as white bread or cake or pasta, which are awful and empty foods, but it’s still a load of sugar; sugar that you don’t need.
This is why we have to be savvy, why we have to be nutrition label readers. No one can deny that sprouted breads are better that regular bread, but if you are diabetic or concerned about blood sugar I’d avoid them. And, if you have leaky gut problems or Celiac Disease, or any digestive issues, it important to recognize that sprouted bread still contain gluten and allergenic proteins.
Sprouts are great, but Ezekiel Bread isn’t sprouts and it doesn’t taste anything like sprouts In fact it looks and smells and tastes like bread. A heavy, thick somewhat unusual bread but a “bread” nonetheless.
If we’re having blood sugar problems, and we know we should be getting off the bread, we’re kidding ourselves if we think the solution is to start eating a different type of bread, Ezekiel or otherwise. What we should be attempting to do is wean ourselves off of the bread habit and the bread taste. I’m not beating up on Ezekiel or any other sprouted bread. I’m just saying let’s not be fooling ourselves. Look on the nutrition facts. If it’s says carbohydrates, that means sugar and that means elevation in blood glucose and insulin and that means beware if you’re a diabetic or pre-diabetic. There’s just no other way you can slice it.

Phospho-lipid Phun!

Cell membranes are largely composed of fats (along with some proteins). There are two main types of cell membrane fats, cholesterol and phospholipids. We’ll discuss cholesterol in a later post. For this article we will be addressing phospho-lipids.
Phospho-lipids are interesting chemical structure with a watery end which contains the mineral phosphorus (phospho-) and a fatty end (-lipid). Phospho-lipids help cell membranes maintain their integrity and structure. They also conduct electrical energy which helps the membrane maintain its battery-like charge. This electrical activity is important for the health and function of the internal cell environment. Nutrients enter in the cell in part via pores and channels on the membrane. The openings dilate or constrict at least partially in response to phospho-lipid generated electrical energy. They have a voltage-sensing property which allows them to open and close pores on cellular demand.
The electrical nature of phospho-lipids makes them especially important for brain and nerve cells (neurons), which are highly electrical in nature.
Phospho-lipids are also important for skin health and play a particularly important role in maintaining skin softness and hydration
Because phospho-lipids have a watery and fatty nature, they can help disperse dietary fats into digestive fluids. Bile is largely composed of phospholipids.
The fats in cell membranes are protected from oxidation (rancidity) by phospho-lipids which bind the very active and oxidation-inducing metals iron and copper.
Because of the relationship of diseases to cell membrane health, taking advantage of phospho-lipid nutrition is an important step in the return to or the maintenance of health. While the body can make its own phospho-lipids, they do require the use of precious enzymes and energy so including them in the diet can be a helpful health strategy
Also, if you have fat malabsorbtion, liver health issues or have had a gall bladder removed you may want to consider supplemental phospho-lipids to take advantage of their fat dispersing properties mentioned above. The same is true if you have neural problems such as Parkinson’s disease or cognitive issues such dementia, memory problems, or learning disorders. Up to 60% of the brain by weight is composed of phospho-lipids and similar compounds.
By far the best source of dietary phospho-lipids is eggs. Muscle and organ meats are good sources too as are wheat germ and peanuts. The fatty components of soy (not the protein) also contain phospho-lipids.
Supplemental phospho-lipids can also be obtained by using lecithin, either in its powder or liquid form. Taking 200 to 300 mg a day of choline and inostitol may also help improve the production of phospho-lipids.