The Health Plus Letter
October 18, 2005, Vol. 3, No. 13
By Larry Trivieri, Jr. – founder & publisher,
http://www.1healthyworld.com

If you prefer to read this issue online, you can read it, along with all other back issues, at http://www.1healthyworld.com/ezine.


Table Of Contents
What’s New
Quote of the Day
Fast Fact
Medical F/r/e/edom Alert (A New Call To Action)
The Importance of pH to Your Health (Part 5)—Are You Too Acidic?
Self-Care for Tips for Preventing and Treating Glaucoma
Reader Feedback (Another Tip for Preventing Gallstones)
Recommendation


Unabashed Plug

Amazon.com continues to offer my newest book, Health on the Edge: Visionary Views of Healing in the New Millennium at a healthy discount. To order it, visit http://www.amazon.com. 


What’s New

In this issue you’ll find Part 5 of The Importance of pH to Your Health, which can help you to determine if you are too acidic, and self-care tips for dealing with glaucoma, as well as new information concerning your health freedoms that I urge you to act upon.

As always, please continue to send me your comments and suggestions. And please spread the word about The Health Plus Letter by passing it along to your friends and inviting them to subscribe.


Quote Of The Day

“Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we ask, but when we are challenged to be what we can be.”
-- Morris Adler


Fast Fact

The average home bedroom pillow contains more than a million fungal spores.

Source: Livescience.com, October 14, 2005

 
Medical F/r/e/edom Alert (A New Call To Action)

Currently in play in the U.S. House of Representatives are two bills, most of which could have a profound affect of our health care freedoms, for good or ill (no pun intended).

The bill that could have a positive affect has been introduced by my favorite member of the House, Congressman Ron Paul, of Texas, who consistently votes in favor of individual liberty as sanctioned by the Constitution. His bill, known as HR 2352, would, if passed into law, further  strengthen the protection afforded natural supplements under the DSHEA act of 1994 by reversing the  Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s current stance on nutrients and permitting “the accurate label and labeling claims of the curative, mitigation, treatment and prevention effects of foods and dietary supplements on disease and health-related conditions.” This is an important bill that would go a long way to ensuring our medical freedoms if enacted as law. Please let your U.S Representatives know if you are in favor of its passage.

A bill that would have the opposite effect, weakening DSHEA in the process, is HR 3156, which is being sponsored by Congresswoman Susan Davis, San Diego, CA, and co-sponsored by Congressmen Henry Waxman, also of California (and long allied against the supplement industry) and John Dingell, of Michigan.

HR 3156 treats nutrients as potential toxins (through the use of Risk Assessment which is the wrong science for assessing nutrients), and as such, is totally unscientific and would cause tremendous damage to our health and the natural wellness industry. I urge you to let your U.S. Representatives know that you oppose passage of HR 3156.

You can make your opinion known by emailing your Representatives at the Democracy In Action website. Go to:

http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=678

In addition, please support the following organizations, which are at the forefront of those working to protect our rights:

Citizens for Health - http://www.citizens.org

Alliance for Natural Health – http://www.alliance-natural-health.org (The leading organization fighting to preserve health f/r/e/edom in England and the EU.)

Institute for Health F/r/e/edom – http://www.ForHealthF/r/e/edom.org

International Advocates for Health F/r/e/edom (IAHF) – http://www.iahf.com

Health Lobby (Monica Miller) – http://www.healthlobby.com

To stay info/rmed of other developments related to medical f/r/e/edom, please visit http://www4.dr-rath-foundation.org the website of Dr. Mattias Rath, a leading crusader for medical f/r/e/edom.

To see to what depraved lengths people will go to persecute practitioners of alternative medicine in the U.S., please read the following report by noted medical f/r/e/edom advocate Tim Bolen at http://www.quackpotwatch.org/opinionpieces/Suster2.htm

And to learn how corrupt and extensive Big Pharma’s monopoly is, visit http://www.pnc.com.au/~cafmr/online/research/index.html the website for the Campaign Against Fraudulent Medical Research. In particular, read their in-depth report The Pharmaceutical Drug Racket that you will find th/e/re.


Unabashed Plug

Learn the Truth about Heart Disease, Stroke and Hypertension. Most of what conventional medicine has to offer for treating these conditions is based on faulty and potentially dangerous assumptions. Discover the real causes behind these diseases and learn what you can do today to prevent and reverse them using safe and natural alternatives that have been scientifically proven to be effective. Read the critically-acclaimed eBook Burton Goldberg’s Definitive Guide to Heart Disease, featuring the contributions of Dr. Garry Gordon, Dr. Stephen Sinatra, and many other leading heart specialists. To order or to find out more about this potentially lifesaving guide, visit http://www.1healthyworld.com/ebooks/Heart-Book-Info.cfm.


Unabashed Plug

Sharry Edwards, a leading pioneer in the use of sound for healing, is making available her computerized vocal profiling technology for f/r/e/e for 30 days. The technology is available via downloadable programs that you will find at Sharry’s website – http://www.vocalprofiling.com. Once there, cli/ck on the link in the upper left of the homepage, entitled Nutritional Consultant Fr/e/e Trial Software Flyer. From there you will be guided through the registration and download process. By installing the Nutrition Consultant software onto your computer you will be able to accurately assess your health and learn which specific nutrients you require for that day. (You will need to purchase a computer micropho.ne if your computer doesn’t already have one. Sharry recommends an inexpensive model from Radio Shack; the info.rmation about it can be found one her website.) For more info.rmation, contact Sound Health at 740-698-9119 or visit  the websites www.vocalprofiling.com and www.sharryedwards.com.

(Note: I receive no remuneration, financial or otherwise, from Sharry or Sound Health. I’m simply bringing this to your attention because I know it works.)


The Importance of pH to Your Health (Part 5)—Are You Too Acidic?

Many people around the world suffer from acidosis, a chronic state of acidic pH. The most common symptoms of acidosis fall into the following categories:

Bladder/Urinary Tract Problems: burning sensation during urination, excessive urination, kidney stones.

Circulatory Problems: poor circulation, hypotension (low blood pressure), feelings of coldness in the extremities, rapid heartbeat.

Energy Levels: chronic fatigue, lack of energy, long recovery time after physical or mental exertion, loss of endurance, easily fatigued after eating meals, chills and/or low body temperature, increased proneness to catch infections.

Eye/Facial Problems: conjunctivitis, eyes that tear easily, headache, pale complexion caused by contracting blood vessels.

Female Hygiene: vaginal discharge.

Gastrointestinal Problems: abdominal pains or cramping, acid reflux, burning sensation in anus or rectum, diarrhea, flatulence, stomach pains or spasms, ulcers.

Mental/Emotional Problems: feelings of agitation or nervousness, anxiety, depression, feelings of overwhelm, frequent feelings of stress, irritability, lack of ambition and joy.

Mouth and Teeth Problems: bleeding or inflamed gums, cavities, cracked lips, cracked or chipped teeth, loose teeth, mouth ulcers, tooth pain, tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods.

Musculo-skeletal Problems: “cracking” joints,muscle cramps or spasms, joint pain, muscle ache, stiff neck, tension in the neck and shoulders.

Nail/Hair Problems: brittle or dull hair, hair falling out, thin or splitting nails, white spots or streaks on nails.

Respiratory Problems: allergies, chronic bronchitis, frequent colds, frequent coughs or sore throat, laryngitis, runny nose, sensitivity to cold air.

Skin Problems: acne, dry skin, eczema, hives, itching, skin blotching or red spots.

Sleep Problems: insomnia or restless sleep patterns.

If you suffer from two or more of these symptoms, there is a high probability that you are also overly acidic, even if your urine pH shows a reading above 7.2. More than likely, you are also eating a diet that is too high in acid-producing foods. By simply changing your diet so that the majority of the foods you eat are alkalizing can make a significant difference in helping to restore your acid-alkaline balance. Next issue, I will share with you simple tips for doing so.

[Continued next issue. The above article is adapted from the book In Balance For Life, by Alex Guerrero, which I ghostwrote, and which was published earlier this year. Parts 1, 2, and 3 are archived at http://www.1healthyworld.com/ezine/vol3no8.cfm, http://www.1healthyworld.com/ezine/vol3no9.cfm, http://www.1healthyworld.com/ezine/vol3no10.cfm, and http://www.1healthyworld.com/ezine/vol3no12.cfm, respectively.]


Self-Care Tips for Preventing and Treating Glaucoma

(Note: Glaucoma is a serious condition and requires ongoing medical attention. If you suspect you have glaucoma, see a doctor immediately.)

Next to cataract, glaucoma is the most common cause of blindness in the United States. It is characterized by a loss of peripheral vision, usually in association with a buildup of fluid pressure inside the eyeball which can damage, and in some cases completely destroy, the retina and optic nerve.

Types of Glaucoma
There are two types of glaucoma—open angle glaucoma and closed angle glaucoma.
Open angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma and is characterized by the too-slow drainage of eye fluid that is normally produced each day. The slower than normal fluid drainage, which typically occurs in the rear eye chamber, is most often caused by debris building up inside of the drainage channels.

Closed angle glaucoma is characterized by the eyes’ drainage channels being blocked by the iris. Unlike open angel glaucoma, which occurs gradually over time, closed angle glaucoma usually occurs due to the rapid buildup of fluid pressure, and can cause the eyeballs to feel hard to the touch.

Symptoms of Glaucoma
Symptoms of open angle glaucoma usually progress slowly, with the first noticeable signs being narrowing of peripheral vision, headaches, tunnel vision, and other visual disturbances, such as seeing halos around lights or having difficulty adapting to darkness.

In cases of closed angle glaucoma, symptoms usually progress quickly—in some cases only a few days—and include intense eye pain, headaches, swollen eyelids, nausea, vomiting, eye redness, and vision loss, which can become permanent if not treated in time.

Causes of Glaucoma
Both types of glaucoma can be caused by premature aging, the accumulation of debris and waste products in the eye drainage channels, allergies, eye injuries, eye tumors, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, and pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and macular degeneration.

The use of pharmaceutical drugs can also cause glaucoma, as well as other types of vision problems. These include antidepressants, antihistamines, blood pressure medication, diurectics, oral contraceptives, steroids, chlorpromazine, digoxin, ethambutol, gold (used to treat arthritis and lupus), haloperidol, hydroxychloroquine sulfate, and tetracycline.

Self-Care Tips

Aromatherapy: The following essential oils can help to relieve stress and tension, which can contribute to or exacerbate glaucoma: bergamot, jasmine, lavender, rose, sandlewood, and ylang ylang.

Ayurveda: According to Ayurvedic theory, most vision problems are due to digestive disorders. Emphasis is given to regular eye exercises, as well as the use of the herbs amla, licorice, and triphala, and a diet rich in organic, whole foods with abundant quantities of antioxidant rich vegetables such as carrots and spinach.

Diet: Emphasize a diet of organic, whole foods, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. These include bell peppers, berries, carrots, celery, cherries, citrus fruits, dark-green leafy vegetables, kale, mangos, melons, parsley, plums, red grapes, spinach, tomatoes, and yellow squash. Organic egg yolks are also recommended because they are rich in carotenoids, a class of antioxidants. Also be sure to drink plenty of fresh, filtered water throughout the day to help flush out accumulated debris in the eye drainage channels. Proper hydration is also essential for maintaining the suppleness of the eyes’ lenses.

Avoid all processed and fried foods, coffee and caffeinated products, soda, sugar and sugar products, refined, simple carbohydrates, alcohol, an unhealthy hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils. Milk and dairy products should be consumed sparingly, if at all. In addition, be tested for food allergies and sensitivities and eliminate those foods for which you test positive.

Eye Exercises: The following eye exercises are useful for preventing and reversing most types of vision problems.

Rest your eyes for five minutes every 30 to 60 minutes, relaxing your gaze and staring into space.

Blink your eyes regularly. This reduces eyestrain.

Take regular breaks throughout the day to breathe deeply for a few minutes, followed by stretching your neck and shoulders. This helps to ensure that your eyes muscles receive adequate amounts of oxygen.

To further reduce facial tension, yawn in an exaggerated fashion. Doing so helps to stretch and relax your facial muscles.

Cover your eyes with you palms for five minutes and breathe deeply. Do this every one to two hours.

Spend 20 to 30 minutes each day rapidly switching your focus from near to far. An easy way to do this is to hold your finger six to eight inches from your eyes. Focus on it for a moment, then focus on an object in the distance. Keep changing your focus from near and far. This is an excellent way to exercise your eye muscles.

Roll your eyes all the way up and down in a full circular motion for five minutes three to five times a day.

Pin a sheet of reading material to the wall and read it from two feet away (or closer if you need to). Each day, step further away from the wall. With regular practice, you will eventually be able to read the same material from across the room. If you are nearsighted, reverse this process, starting as far away from the sheet of paper as you need to be, then slowly moving closer each day until you are able to read it standing only a few inches away.

Flower Essences: To help deal with unresolved mental or emotional factors that can contribute to glaucoma, the following remedies can be helpful: Aspen (to ease general fears), Clematis (if you tend to avoid your problems by “living in a dream world”), Honeysuckle (for those who avoid the challenges of the present by becoming nostalgic for the past), and Rescue Remedy (for cases of acute glaucoma).

Herbs: The following herbs can be very helpful for preventing and slowing the progression of cataracts: bilberry, curcumin, gentian root, grapeseed extract, ginkgo biloba,  and pine bark extract (pycnogenol).

Caution: People with glaucoma should avoid using ephedra (also known as Ma Huang), as well as synthetic ephedra products such as epinephrine, which is contained in most over-the-counter cold and cough formulas, because ephedra can dilate the pupils of the eyes, increasing overall eye pressure.

Juice Therapy: Drink 16 ounces of carrot juice and/or carrot juice combined with fresh squeezed celery, cucumber, parsley, and spinach in two divided doses (eight ounces per serving) each day.

Lifestyle: Avoid eyestrain by refraining from working at computer terminal or reading for long periods of time. Also refrain from watching television of movies in the dark, as well as spending prolonged periods in darkness. In addition, avoid exposure to secondhand smoke and, if you smoke, stop. When outside on sunny days, wear sunglasses that protect against both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays.

To help prevent and relief eye pressure, regularly engage in mild aerobic exercises such as jogging, brisk walking, and rebounding (jumping on a mini-trampoline).

Nutritional Supplementation: Useful nutrients include vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, alpha-lipoic acid, beta-carotene, chromium, flavonoids, lutein, magnesium, N—acetyl-cysteine (NAC), riboflavin, rutin, selenium, taurine, zeaxthanin, and zinc. Omega-3 oils, such as fish oil, is also advised.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): According to TCM theory, most vision problems are due to diminished liver function. To restore healthy liver function, TCM practitioners combine acupuncture with dietary changes and traditional Chinese herbs, such as ginkgo biloba and ginseng.

(This information is adapted by Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide 2^nd edition, for which I served as editor and co-author.)
 

Unabashed Plug

Discover and Gain Control of Your Human Energy Field. Read Dr. Valerie Hunt’s Mind Mastery Meditations: A Workbook for the “Infinite Mind,” the empowering guide created by one of the world's foremost researchers into the human energy field, energy medicine, and the relationship between consciousness and health. Each of the meditations this eBook contains is designed to give you mastery of your mind and to empower you to discover the answers to why you are the way you are, your soul's needs, your unique talents and capacities, and your self-designed destiny. By practicing and mastering these meditations, you will become able to live your life with greater ease and success, speed your self-healing, and dramatically increase your ability to manifest your deepest goals. To order this life-changing guide, visit
http://www.1healthyworld.com/ebooks/Mind-Mastery-Book-Info.cfm.


Reader Feedback

In response to my article last issue related to preventing and treating gallstones and other gall bladder problems, Nancy Appleton, Ph.D, author of Stopping Inflammation, which I edited, wrote me to say:

“Hey, Larry, you forgot to tell people to remove sugar from their diet in relation to gallstones, the most important thing you can do.”

Duly noted, Nancy. Thanks for making a very important point.


Recommendation

Book
Oh Pure and Radiant Heart by Lydia Millet. This novel is a very well-written meditation on the transformation of U.S. society and its politics as a direct result of the dropping of nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although the story itself runs out of steam at times, the many facts that are interspersed throughout the book are essential reading.


That’s all for this week. More again soon.

Health and Blessings!

Larry Trivieri, Jr. (larry@1healthyworld.com)


Disclaimer: The Health Plus Letter is a weekly eZine published by Larry Trivieri, Jr. and Library of Health, LLC (dba www.1healthyworld.com) 1514 Genesee Street, Suite 52, Utica, NY 13502. It is made available without charge for info/rmation purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical care. If you are experiencing a health problem, seek prompt medical attention.

The Health Plus Letter is fully compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003.

Le/gal Notice: The info/rmation in this eZine may be f/r/e/ely and widely disseminated so long as full attribution is made as follows: The Health Plus Letter, October 18, 2005, Vol. 3, No. 13. Copyright © 2005 by Larry Trivieri, Jr. All rights reserved.

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