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.