Swine Flu — One of the Most Massive Cover-ups in American History

Modern medicine has made great strides. Vaccines have changed the face of diseases incidence and prevalence in the world. Lethal diseases like small pox have been eradicated and polio significant reduced in the 20^th century. However, a vaccine seems far from an adequate cure. Let’s consider vaccines from a naturopathic perspective to address the success of vaccine history.

Naturopathic medicine looks at a person’s ‘susceptibility’ or miasm, which suggests how one copes or reacts to stressors (physical, emotional, spiritual, other) and offers insight into the resiliency of his or her immune system. Your ‘susceptibility’ or miasm suggests how you cope or react to stressors (physical, emotional, spiritual, other). In the same vein, your miasm also determines the way you respond to the vaccines. Each of has likely received at least one vaccine in our lifetimes. Some of us have had as many as 15 to 20 vaccines. This surely has conferred protection to diseases; but for some of us has this also come at a cost?

The CDC has stipulated a vaccine schedule starting at the birth. While it may be very relevant to certain countries in the world, remember that this schedule is a great model of public health based on the idea of herd immunity.  It is important to understand that giving children vaccines before they are immunologically mature does not give them enough protection and this is why multiple booster shots become necessary. With this information in hand, you can determine with your physician if a vaccine is appropriate; moreover, you can effectively assess an ideal age to vaccinate your child in order to develop a proper immune response. Make sure to evaluate your independent risks vs. benefits and make a conscious decision for your child and yourself.

Some examples of the bad and the ugly:

MMR vaccine: Has three live attenuated viruses: measles, mumps and rubella.  It does NOT have thimerosol.

Potential side effects of MMR vaccine:

There are links to autism and the MMR vaccine wherein the vaccine is hypothesized to trigger a cascade of events leading to autism in genetically susceptible children. There are strong correlations in the literature between myelin basic protein antibodies and the antibody to measles. Furthermore, vaccine strain of measles RNA has been found in the intestine of autistic patients with Crohn’s disease (autistic enterocolitis). Currently, the evidence is deemed inadequate to accept a causal relationship in the conventional medical system.

Hepatitis B vaccine: recombinant or non recombinant hepatitis B virus vaccine derived from hepatitis B surface antigen produced in yeast cells. Contains aluminum hydroxide. Contained thimerosol prior to 2001 in the United States, although some preparations may still contain trace amounts of thimerosol.

Potential Side effects of Hepatitis vaccine:

Data from Vaccine Adverse Events reporting system (VARES) show a rate of neurological disorders following Hep B vaccine higher than any other vaccine. These disorders include both demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, tranverse melitis, and non demyelinating conditions like vertigo and paresthesias. Again, the evidence is deemed inadequate to accept a causal relationship in the conventional medical system.

This blog post is inspired by the following resources:

Vermeulen, F., Monera, Kingdom bacteria and Viruses, Spectrum material Medica, Vol 1, Emryss Publishers. 2005

Andrews, H., Zwickey, H., A Seminar entitled  “A Vaccine balancing Act”, 2009.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/29/Swine-Flu.aspx

My strong recommendation is to use sesame oil for all your cooking. Walnut oil is another good oil to cook with. Some oils that are healthy at room temperature can become hydrogenated and extremely unhealthy when heated above certain temperatures. Sesame oil is superior to other oils for a variety of reasons addressed in this article.

There are many variations in the color of sesame oil: cold-pressed sesame oil is almost colorless, while Indian sesame oil (gingelly or til oil) is golden and Chinese sesame oil (toasted kind) is commonly a dark brown color. Untoasted or cold pressed sesame oil has less flavor than the toasted oil, since it is produced directly from raw, rather than toasted seeds.

Light sesame oil has a high smoke point, and is suitable for frying while heavy (dark) sesame oil (from roasted sesame seeds) has a low smoke point, and is unsuitable for frying. In spite of the fact that, sesame oil contains high proportion (41%) of polyunsaturated (PUFA- Omega-6 fatty acids) it is least prone, among cooking oils – with high smoke points , to turn rancid (when kept in the open). This is due to the natural antioxidants present in the oil. Because of this, it carries a premium relative to other cooking oils.

Sesame oil, is low in saturated fat and high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats which makes it an ideal medium for cooking. Furthermore, sesame oil is unique in that it contains antioxidant constituents, namely Sesamolin, Sesaminol and sesamolinol, which are activated at moderately high temperatures and therefore ideal for cooking. These antioxidant constituents protects fats from being oxidized. I don’t think I know of any other oils, which have antioxidant properties at high temperature.  Additionally, most other oils and fats contribute to the formation of Advanced Glycated Endproducts (AGE related products) when cooked at high temperatures.

Sesaminol maintains LDL in an unutilized state, which prevents arteriosclerosis. Sesamolin is another potent antioxidant. 

Sesamin maintains good cholesterol and inhibits triglyceride production in the liver and helps keep Blood pressure in check. It inhibits a set of regulating compounds, which cause inflammation, clotting and other immune imbalances that contribute to disorders such as heart disease and autoimmune joint disorders.

Sesame seed oil lignin protects the liver from environmental toxins, helps maintain normal blood pressure.  Sesame seed oil also improves the body’s immune system balance.

The extraction of sesame oil from the sesame seed is not a completely automated process. In the fairy tale “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” the sesame fruit serves as a symbol for wealth. When the fruit capsule opens, it releases a real treasure – the sesame seeds. However, a great deal of manual work is necessary before this point is reached.

Other uses for sesame oils:

• Antioxidant role in ischemia of brain
• Massage: The linoleic acid in sesame seed has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the oil massage decreases the bacteria on the skin
• See my previous posts on the benefits of massages. Sesame oil massage decreases stress hormone and strengthens the immune system, reduces anxiety, depression and pain
• It has antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil has been used in the treatment of several chronic diseases processes, including hepatitis, diabetes and migraines.
• Rinsing mouth with sesame oil reduces the bacteria that cause gingivitis.
• Used as nose drops, sesame seed oil is known to cure chronic sinusitis.
• As a throat gargle it is helpful in eliminating strep and other common cold bacteria.
• Strengthens teeth, cheek muscles and improves quality, tone and youthfulness  of one’s voice.
• It helps those afflicted with psoriasis and dry skin ailments.
• It has been successful in eliminating lice infestations in children
• It is also a natural UV protector.
• Sesame seed oil helps joints retain their flexibility. It keeps the skin supple and soft. It heals and protects areas of mild scrapes, cuts and abrasions. It helps tighten facial skin, particularly around the nose, controlling enlargement of pores as the skin ages.

For the academics and research conscious people among my readers, the following abstract may be of interest to you:

Life Sci. 2006 Oct 12;79(20):1921-8. Epub 2006 Jun 17. Ahmad S, Yousuf S, Ishrat T, Khan MB, Bhatia K, Fazli IS, Khan JS, Ansari NH, Islam F.

“Effect of dietary sesame oil as antioxidant on brain hippocampus of rat in focal cerebral ischemia”

Abstract: Oxidative stress may be regarded as an imbalance between free radical production and opposing antioxidant defenses. Free radical oxidative stress is implicated in rat cerebral ischemia and naturaceutical antioxidants are dietary supplements that have been reported to have neuroprotective activity. Many studies have reported dietary sesame oil (SO) as an effective antioxidant. In the present study the neuroprotective effect of dietary SO was evaluated against middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced cerebral ischemia injury in rats. Rats were fed on diet (20% SO) for 15 days. The middle cerebral artery of adult male Wistar rat was occluded for 2 h and reperfused for 22 h. The antioxidant properties of brain were measured as levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxide (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). A decrease in the activity of all the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants was observed along with an increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in MCAO group. The neurobehavioral activity of rats was also observed by using videopath analyzer. Dietary SO improved the antioxidant status in MCAO+SO group when compared with MCAO group. The results of neurobehavioral activity also support our biochemical data. The results obtained suggest protective effect of SO against cerebral ischemia in rat brain through their antioxidant properties.

Sources: pubmed.com,  wikipedia.org, Ayurvedic texts- Charaka Samhita

1.    Warm oil (scroll down for oil selection) in its container in a water bath. Make sure the oil is warm, but not hot

2.    Start with your face and move to your ear lobes- linger on your ear lobes for a few seconds. Put a couple drops of warm oil on your little finger to apply to the nasal passage and outer ear canal.

3.    Next, apply oil to the to the crown of your head and work slowly out from there with gentle circular strokes

4.    Lovingly massage oil into your entire body beginning at the extremities and working toward the middle of the body. Use long strokes on the limbs (long bones) and circular strokes on the joints like shoulder, elbows, knees and ankles.

5.    Put a few drops of oil on the belly button (umbilicus) and massage the abdomen and chest in broad, clockwise circular motions.

6.    End with a vigorous oil rub to the soles of your feet- take precaution like wiping off with a towel so you don’t slip.

After 30 minutes or so, take a warm (not hot and not too cold) shower/bath and dry off well. Make sure not to expose yourself to a draft, but put on dry and clean clothes and observe the endorphins flowing through your body.

Why massage your scalp?

•  Improves the quality of your hair and adds sheen, volume and texture
• Soothes and invigorates the sense organs
• Removes facial wrinkles

Why massage your feet?

• Removes coarseness (cracking skin), stiffness, roughness, fatigue and numbness of the feet
• Enhances vision
• Vasculature (local veins), ligaments and musculature are toned

 Why massage your ear lobes?

• Benefits everything above the collar bone- stiff neck, stiff jaw
• Improves functioning of the sense organs
• Activates numerous meridians originating in the ear through acupressure

Why massage your body?

• Look down at the post about 10 reasons to massage your body

Cholesterol is more a friend than our foe. It is NOT the major culprit in heart disease.

What does cholesterol do in our body?

Cholesterol is an essential part of the human body. It is found in all cells of the body but especially in nerve cells and brain cells. It produced mainly by the liver  and helps in the synthesis of  many hormones,  vitamin D and bile salts which help with fat digestion. Cholesterol is the major building block for new cells and thus when cells die or are damaged cholesterol  rebuilds these damaged areas. Cholesterol cannot flow through the bloodstream on its own and must combine with lipoproteins in order to find its way to the various parts of the body. So again, cholesterol is not the problem, but the combination of cholesterol and lipoproteins (LDL, VLDL)  is.

The real question is WHY is cholesterol high?

Cholesterol is transported to the part of the body where there is inflammation in an attempt to repair damage and inflammation. I think of cholesterol in such situations as a band- aid for damage control. So when cholesterol rises, clearly there is a lot of inflammation in the body.

When is cholesterol a culprit?

Only when cholesterol is oxidized, it is a risk for heart disease. Once oxidized, it can irritate/inflame tissues in which it is lodged in, such as the endothelium (lining of the arteries) and injure the lining of arteries. Once this happens, plaque formations sets in and narrows the lumen of arteries and ultimately leads to atherosclerosis.

Cholesterol in an un-oxidized form does NOT cause heart disease, but improper metabolic signals including improper signals to cholesterol (causing it to oxidize) and perhaps to the liver that manufactures the cholesterol, will cause heart and vascular disease and hypertension.

Removing cholesterol will do nothing to improve the underlying problems, the real roots of chronic disease, which will always have to do with improper communication, and the generals of metabolic communication are insulin and leptin. They are really what must be treated to reverse heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, and to some extent aging itself. So when you visit your primary care doctor, make sure they order FASTING INSULIN in addition to LIPID PANEL

What are LDL and HDL and what do they do?

There are two types of lipoproteins – low-density (LDL) and high-density (HDL) that transport cholesterol. 

Low-density lipoproteins are the ones that cause the most problems.  When a person has a high level of LDL in the bloodstream it begins to pile up such as a garbage truck that if overloaded with junk that losses items along its way.  Some LDL cholesterol falls of the garbage truck and  attaches and clings to the side of the blood vessels. Once it begins to pile up in the blood vessel it hardens and forms a type of plague. This causes the blood vessels to narrower and become harder as well. In many cases, the blood vessels can become totally blocked with this hard substance. When the blood vessels to the heart become clogged a person is likely to have a heart attack, if the blood vessels to the brain become clogged a person is likely to have a stroke. LDL can attach itself to any blood vessel wall and eventually clog the vessel, which will restrict blood flow to major body organs. 

HDL is considered the good cholesterol lipoprotein because it collects cholesterol from the body’s tissues, and brings it back to the liver for the correct elimination.

Are cholesterol lowering drugs the real solution?

They would be with the same logic that the brain should be removed to prevent Alzheimer’s disease!

So, the answer is NO. Cholesterol lowering drugs are okay in high risk people who have excessively elevated cholesterol for a little while, but it is far from fixing the real solution of inflammation and oxidation of cholesterol in the body.

So what’s an intelligent thing to do then?

Reduce inflammation

How do you reduce inflammation?

Avoid the oxidation (rancidity) of cholesterol and fatty acids by doing the following:

• Control anger and other toxic emotions
•  Meditate and do breath work
•  Exercise
•  LAUGH and PLAY and have FUN!
•  Increase antioxidants in your diet- lots of green and colored vegetables and some seasonal fruits
•  Follow the guidelines to optimal living described below
• Eat good quality fats and oils which are not rancid
• Decrease omega 6’s and increase omega 3 fatty acids
• Take high quality, heavy metal and pesticide free fish oils
• Eat an anti- inflammatory diet
•  Avoid your food intolerances
• Avoid gluten
• Limit intake of processed foods, sodas, and sugars
• Get plenty of good quality, uninterrupted  sleep

I love sugar, why is it bad?

Sugar causes excessive damage (via glycation) to tissues, including the lining of arteries, causing increased oxidative stress, chronic inflammation and resultant plaque formation.

What are some side effects of Statins and those so called MAGIC cholesterol lowering drugs.

A common symptom of cholesterol lowering drugs is damage to muscles and many patients experience muscular aches and pains. Don’t forget, your heart is also a muscle.

Statin drugs have also been shown to also cause nerve damage and to greatly impair memory. One reason that statin drugs have these various serious side effects is that they work by inhibiting a vital enzyme that manufactures cholesterol in the liver. However, the same enzyme is used to manufacture coenzyme Q10, which is a biochemical needed to transfer energy from food to our cells to be used for the work of staying alive and healthy.

Statin drugs are known to inhibit production of coenzyme Q10. So if you are on cholesterol lowering drugs, I am hoping you are also on the appropriate dose of Co Q 10.

WHY SKIN BRUSHING?

 The skin is one of our largest primary emunctories or route for eliminating wastes from the body. Our skin breathes, absorbs and eliminates yet we take it for granted by indiscriminate application of lotions, sprays and deodorants that contain toxic un-pronounceable chemicals and noxious ingredients that are absorbed into the body via the skin. The skin is also called the third kidney of the body because of its key function of water regulation. Perspiration or sweat and urine are chemically very similar, both containing substancial amounts of uric acid which is an important waste product of metabolism.

This vital route of elimination often operates below its capacity. Our skin is clogged with dead skin and un-removed waste excreted through perspiring. Another clogged system! Dry skin brushing is a simple, inexpensive way to remove waste from the skin and assist in waste removal via the lymph system that lies just beneath the skin layers. Our bodies make a new top layer of skin every 24 hours. Using skin brushing daily, the layer is removed which allows the new layer to come to the surface

OTHER EMUNCTORIES

Lung, Colon, Kidney and Skin are are primary detoxifiers and organs of elimination.  A weakness in any one organ, forces the other organs to carry an increased workload. This can result in exhaustion and further inhibit the body’s ability to get rid of harmful toxic waste. Daily dry skin brushing helps your skin remain vibrant and efficient.

 THE LYMPH SYSTEM

 The interstitial fluid that bathes each and every cell of our body our cells, brings nutrients and removing waste by-products via our lymphatic system. Dry skin brushing promotes the release toxins/waste into the lymph system, which then moves into the two lymph plexuses – the thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct near the heart for drainage into the blood circulation. Lymph drainage is therefore essential for your detoxification.

 TECHNIQUE FOR DRY SKIN BRUSHING

 Skin brushing takes less than 5 minutes and is recommended:

1.    Every night before going to bed

2.    Using a loofah or light natural sponge or natural soft fiber brush, preferably with a long handle so you can reach your back

3.    Brush your entire skin surface (except open or cracked skin)

4.    Use quick gentle strokes starting from your extremities moving towards the heart

5.    Make sure to brush your face, back and abdomen

6.    Brush the palms of hands and soles of feet as a reflexive stimulus

AVOID

Fish containing HIGH mercury levels: Atlantic halibut, king mackerel, oysters (Gulf Coast), pike, sea bass, shark, swordfish, tilefish (golden snapper), tuna (steaks and canned albacore).

Fish containing HIGH Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Farmed salmon. Limit to once a month if pregnant/nursing. Check TheGreenGuide.com for updates on POPs in other farmed fish.

FISH YOU CAN EAT:

Moderate mercury: Alaskan halibut, black cod, blue (Gulf Coast) crab, cod, dungeness crab, Eastern oysters, mahimahi, blue mussels, pollack, tuna (canned light). (Children and pregnant or nursing women are advised to eat no more than one from this list, once a month.)

Low mercury: Anchovies, Arctic char, crawfish, Pacific flounder, herring, king crab, sanddabs, scallops, Pacific sole; tilapia, wild Alaska and Pacific salmon; farmed catfish, clams, striped bass, and sturgeon. (Children and pregnant or nursing women can safely eat two to three times a week.)

Low POPs: Wild Alaska and California salmon (fresh or canned).

Check with your state’s department of health for POP advisories before eating fish from local waters.

The Final Word

Limit fish consumption by category, not individual species. For example, both cod and mahimahi are moderate-mercury fish, and only one from this category should be eaten per month — not one meal of cod and one of mahimahi.

If you’re in a high-risk group, don’t eat the skin and fatty parts of fish, where POPs collect. Eat grilled, baked, and broiled rather than fried fish, to avoid fat.

And, finally, don’t be daunted by the prospect of remembering all this info
– you don’t have to. Just download The Green Guide’s Fish Picks card [PDF], a handy pocket-sized seafood-rating guide.

For more info on which fish to avoid and which fish you can safely gobble up, see the Environmental Working Group’s website, the EPA’sFish Advisories webpage, and the EPA’s National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories.

Pancreatic hypo-function, gastric insufficiency and hypochlorhydria are akin to weakened digestive fire in the language of Ayurveda. This happens usually when we eat at irregular times, don’t chew our food thoroughly, and are angry, upset or stressed. Under these circumstances, the undigested and unabsorbed food particles accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract and other subtle sites in the body and turn into toxic material called ama. This toxic material clogs the body channels such as blood vessels, capillaries, lymphatics and cell membranes. When these toxic molecules clog the channels, the cellular intelligence (prana) that is constantly flowing between channels get blocked and pathology sets in. Initial symptoms patients present with are coated tongues, achy bodies, slowed metabolism, gas, bloating, abdominal cramps, constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, lethargy and foggy thinking.

Incompatible foods, improperly digested foods are  nutritionally unimportant, but they are immunologically powerful. Ama evokes this strong response since it is considered foreign to the body. This results in the formation of antibodies by the defense cells in the body. The ama and antibody then interact with each other to form an immune complex, which is a noxious combination. It gets deposited selectively in the brain, nerves, organs, joints, synovial tissues surrounding the joints, etc and excites an inflammatory response- the army of WBC’s think that some foreigner is at the door and thus mount a massive attack using the body’s own system. Herein starts autoimmunity in many people who already have a digestive system from previous assaults. 

What we cultivate, when we harvest, what kind of soil to use is important in optimizing our nourishment from food sources.  It is believed that what we eat, digest, assimilate and eliminate decides our mental and physical states and therefore, our actions.  Adherence to a daily routine and a seasonal routine maintains a state of equilibrium and helps us cope with the stresses and strains of life.

Somebody asked me this morning about what oils are best for their daily massage and if they can find them easily. As such, massage with any oil is beneficial, but the types of oil you use does matter for an enhanced therapeutic effect.  Ordinarily sesame oil is okay for all body types, but before I mention the best oils suited to one’s unique constitution, a little foundation is helpful.

Ayurveda describes three fundamental energies that govern our health and well being, regulate our internal environment and determine how we respond to our external environments. Called ‘doshas’ these three energies are known as

• Vata (Air/Wind)
• Pitta (Fire/Sun)
• Kapha (Earth & Water)

 Ayurveda sees these primary forces in a unique combination in every person. We are all made up of unique proportions of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The ratios of the doshas vary in each individual. This special configuration accounts for our diversity and individuality. 

 We can know roughly what doshas are most prominent in our constitution, by the characteristics mentioned below. There are seasonal, diurnal and age related predominance of these doshas, which is another elaborate discussion.

• Vata (associated with movement) is the kinetic element.  Vata constitutions are usually physically tall (or short) and skinny. Mentally they tend to be vibrant, creative, idea generators and come across as enthusiastic.  When out of balance, they are anxious, indecisive, and unpredictable. They have a rapid progression of thoughts ideas racing through their mind, and they tend to have gas/bloating, constipation, insomnia etc.
• Pitta, the fire element is about food and idea processing. Physically they have muscular bodies with proportional limbs and medium height. In balance they are natural leaders. They tend to be insightful, alert and brilliant people who have a healthy success-oriented drive. When out of balance, they tend to be overly competitive, arrogant, mean spirited, haughty and short tempered.  They are prone to skin diseases, hyperacidity, ulcers, hypertension, digestive complains and more.
• Kapha is about body structure and fluid balance.  The earth and water element is what makes the ground fertile. Kapha people are steady, calm, deliberate, slow to anger and predictable.  Physically kapha people are on the heavyset side. When out of balance, they have sluggish metabolism and struggle with weight problems, lethargy, asthma, coughs and colds, atherosclerosis, diabetes and metabolic syndrome to name a few

Oils that are balancing for the different doshas are:

• Vata: Sesame and/or Almond
• Pitta: Coconut and/or Olive
• Kapha: Sunflower and/or Safflower