Archive for February, 2009

Top 10 Secrets To Alkalizing The Body For Radiant Health

February 13, 2009 at 12:01 am · Filed under Alkalizing The Body ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  1. By Dawn Sanders | On April 4, 2007 | In Health-and-Fitness | Rated image NEWS FLASH: 6 out of 10 Americans are overweight and over acidic! Dr. Robert Young author of “The pH Miracle” has shown that fat is actually an over-acidification problem. What does that mean? The body creates fat cells to carry acids away from your vital organs, so these acids literally don’t choke your organs to death. Fat is saving your life! Fat is actually a response from the body to an alarming over-acidic condition. Here are some aspects regarding pH you may find useful. The body’s pH is measured on a scale of 0 – 14. Midrange at 7 is where the pH is balanced. Anything below 7 is acidic and a state where your body does not function as designed. Above 7 is called Alkaline. Alkaline is the state in which your body thrives. Disease cannot live in an alkaline environment. With that said: when you remove acid toxins from your body, you will: FLUSH Fat Fast resulting in easy weight loss GAIN Muscle Mass WATCH your skin glow ENJOY maximum energy all day, everyday. Here’s how to rid your body of that over-acidic state: Alkalizing Secret #1 — Drink Pure Alkaline Water – lots of it! Pure water meaning water that is filtered. At a minimum, you should be drinking 7 ounces of water for every 10 lbs of your body weight. So, if you weigh 130lbs, you need to drink a minimum of 91 ounces of pure water (that’s about 3 liters). Pure water meaning water that is filtered – the finest choice is an alkaline ionization unit (Jupiter is one of the finest on the market). If you don’t have this resource available, distilled water is a great choice with reverse osmosis coming next. Alkaline water means water with a pH over 7.5. Alkaline water adds oxygen to your water and helps to neutralize acids. A simple way to alkalize your water is with a dash of baking soda. There are also wonderful alkalizing agents you can purchase to buffer and alkalize the water. (P.S. Avoid: coffee, black tea and sodas. – These drinks are highly acidic and do not count towards your daily water intake) Alkalizing Secret #2 — Eat Celery…. This is one of the most alkaline foods you can eat. It quickly neutralizes acids. Eat it before, after or during a meal. Celery is so high in water content that is also works as an excellent thirst quencher. Celery is excellent for digestion. Alkalizing Secret #3 — Eat Green Salads – forget the cheese and croutons! Always have a green salad on hand. Make a huge salad every 3 days and keep it in your fridge to make it very easy to alkalize your body. Some greens that have the highest water content are: cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, celery, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, carrots, and onions. A great dressing would be cold pressed extra virgin olive oil with some lemon juice and Braggs Amino Acids. Keep this in a bowl in your fridge (tip: add cucumbers and tomatoes right before eating). Eat a HUGE salad with every meal! Alkalizing Secret #4 – Switch from cow’s milk, to almond, soy, or rice milk. Cows milk has shown to produce an abundance of mucous in the human body. There are also few adults who can metabolize the protein in cow’s milk properly. This protein, casein, is what a cow’s metabolism needs for proper health, not for a human beings health. Also note that most dairy cows are injected with hormones such as the Bovine Growth Hormone to increase their milk production. Many of these hormones have potentially horrific side effects that can be passed on when consumed. Almond, soy and or rice milk are excellent alternatives to dairy. They are well worth trying out. Alkalizing Secret #5 – Avoid artificial sweeteners! This includes: NutraSweet, Sucralose, Aspartame, Saccharin…. Not only are these acidic they also have other highly detrimental effects on the nervous system and neurological disease. Saccharin even tells you right on the package that it may cause cancer. There is one natural sugar substitute that has had no reported side effects: Stevia. Alkalizing Secret #6 – Eat a grapefruit in the morning wait 15 minutes before ingesting a carb or protein. Grapefruit, similar to lemons, is also alkalizing when ingested. Some people believe grapefruit to be a miracle fruit and I tend to support that group. Grapefruits have a very high water content and are highly alkalizing. Eat one first thing in the morning, and wait 15 minutes before eating a carbohydrate or protein (one or the other – do not mix). (The 15-minute suggestion is in accordance with proper food combining and allows your system to more easily digest. This recommendation applies to eating any fruit – fruit shouldn’t be combined with any other food type. Once eaten, wait 15 before consuming any other food type…ie: protein or carbohydrate). Alkalizing Secret #7 – Eliminate consumption of red meat, pork, lamb…substitute chicken, turkey or fresh fish in small quantities. Red meats, pork and lamb are highly acidic a very low water content, not to mention being hard on the digestive system. If you must have meat, opt for chicken or turkey. Fresh wild fish is another excellent route to take. Alkalizing Secret #8 – Reduce stress daily by adding yoga, tai chi, meditation, and proper breathing. An additional factor that adds to acidosis (acidic bodies) is stress. When the body moves into stress mode the digestive system shuts down and toxins cease to be eliminated. Thus the more toxins you keep in your system, the more the body will store them away (acids) in fat cells! Anything we can do to calm the mind/body will have a huge impact on alkalizing the body. Alkalizing Secret #9 – Drink a top quality super green supplement. : Organic super greens are known to be some of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. They infuse the body with easily absorbed vitamins, minerals, amino acids chlorophyll, enzymes, phytonutients and alkaline salts that help neutralize acids in the blood and tissues. Alkalizing Secret #10 – Minimize/Avoid…. processed and refined foods. That means anything made with white flour and white sugar or food coloring. Our bodies were not designed to digest these chemicals and so it must do one of three things: 1. Eliminate them (if you are not hydrating properly this is very hard to do) or 2. Neutralize them by pulling alkaline buffers where it can – like from your bones leaching calcium, or from your blood, leaching iron. Or: 3. Park them away (in fat cells). Bottom line here – stay away from processed food as much as possible. In Summary: If you will start out by going down the list of tips and add one secret each day, there’s a tremendous possibility that you will be amazed with what you experience. Simply increasing the amount and type of water you drink can and often will be a HUGE shift in how you feel. Let me tell you – it only gets better! And remember…the name of the game is progress not perfection. Be gentle with yourself – for many people, these secrets represent a huge life change. I urge you to educate yourself on pH balance with the acid/alkaline dance. Note: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not designed to diagnose or treat an illness. About The Author: Dawn Sanders, pH Weight Loss Coach, is results oriented having learned on a personal level the magic of balancing the body’s pH for weight loss and for an extraordinary life. She follows Dr. Robert Young’s “pH Miracle” and “The New Biology”. Visit her website at: http://www.transformitnow.com

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What is polymyositis?

February 12, 2009 at 11:46 pm · Filed under polymyositis ·Tagged , , ,

  1. What is polymyositis? Polymyositis is an inflammatory muscle disease that causes muscle weakness. Myositis means inflammation of muscle. Usually, polymyositis affects the muscles that are closest to the trunk of the body. Eventually, people with polymyositis have trouble when rising from a sitting position, climbing stairs, lifting objects, or reaching overhead. In some cases, muscles that are not close to the trunk of the body become affected as the disease progresses. Polymyositis develops gradually over time, and it rarely affects people younger than 18. It is more common in women (by about two to one). If the condition is accompanied by an inflammatory process that strikes the skin as well, it is called dermatomyositis. Polymyositis can be present in combination with other illnesses. Both polymyositis and dermatomyositis can sometimes be associated with cancers, including lymphoma, breast, lung, ovarian, and colon cancer. What causes polymyositis? The cause of polymyositis is not known, but there are indications that heredity plays a role in the disease. Current research suggests that the condition might occur when immune system cells infiltrate and attack muscle tissue (an autoimmune process). Research into the workings of the immune system and what causes it to malfunction might result in more knowledge about the causes of polymyositis. What are the symptoms of polymyositis? The following are some symptoms of polymyositis. These symptoms might come and go: * Muscle weakness—This is the most common symptom. The muscles involved usually are those closest to the trunk of the body. The onset of weakness is usually gradual, occurring over three to six months or, rarely, the symptoms come on rapidly. * Difficulty getting up from chairs, climbing stairs, or lifting objects — Some people also have trouble with getting up after lying down. * Difficulty swallowing * Muscle ache — In some cases, muscles ache and are tender to the touch. * Fatigue * Shortness of breath due to heart and lung involvement * Patchy red or violet rash around the eyes — Some people also get patchy, red skin over the knuckles, elbows, and knees, or a red rash on the neck and upper chest. * Fever * Weight loss How is polymyositis diagnosed? The diagnosis of the disease usually begins with a doctor’s exam, as well as blood testing. People who have polymyositis often have unusually high levels of muscle enzymes, which are released into the blood by muscle that is being damaged by inflammation. Routine blood and urine tests can check for internal organ abnormalities. Chest X-rays, mammograms, PAP smears, and other screening tests might be considered to look for signs of cancers that might arise with polymyositis. Additional testing can rule out other conditions resembling polymyositis. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity studies are electrical tests of muscle and nerves that can show abnormal findings typical of polymyositis. These tests also can rule out other nerve-muscle diseases. Imaging of the muscles can show areas of muscle inflammation and can be used to find muscle biopsy sites. Muscle biopsy is a surgical procedure in which muscle tissue is removed and examined. A muscle biopsy is used to confirm the presence of muscle inflammation typical only of polymyositis. How is polymyositis treated? Polymyositis is treated with high doses of corticosteroids as a first course of treatment. Corticosteroids are given because they can effectively decrease the inflammation in the muscles. Corticosteroids do not always adequately improve polymyositis. In these patients immunosuppressive medicines are considered. These medicines include: * Methotrexate (brand names Rheumatrex and Trexall) * Azathioprine (brand name Imuran) * Cyclophosphamide (brand name Cytoxan) * Chlorambucil (brand name Leukeran) * Cyclosporine (brand name Sandimmune) In severe cases of polymyositis, the intravenous infusion of immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been an effective treatment. Physical therapy also is important in the treatment of polymyositis. With early medical treatment of the disease and disease flares, patients with polymyositis can do well. The disease frequently becomes inactive, enabling the patient to focus on muscle rehabilitation. What is dermatomyositis? When the inflammatory muscle disease polymyositis affects the skin, it is called dermatomyositis. In this condition, the eyes can be surrounded by a violet discoloration with swelling. There might be scaly, red skin over the knuckles, elbows, and knees. In addition, a red rash can occur on the face, neck, and upper chest. Hard lumps of calcium deposits can develop in the fatty layer of the skin. What causes dermatomyositis? In people with polymyositis and dermatomyositis, the body’s immune system stops working properly and begins attacking healthy tissues. Factors triggering this process are not known. What are the symptoms of dermatomyositis? Symptoms of dermatomyositis can vary a great deal from patient to patient. Some individuals might have the disease for months or years before noticing it. Muscle weakness might arise at the same time as the rash, or it might occur weeks, months, or years later. Some other common symptoms include: * Reddish or bluish-purple patches, mostly on areas exposed to the sun * Purple spots on bony prominences, especially the knuckles * Discoloration with swelling around the eyes * Ragged cuticles and prominent blood vessels on nail folds * A red rash on the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, and elbows How is dermatomyositis diagnosed? The diagnosis of dermatomyositis is usually confirmed by the following tests: * Blood tests to detect increased amounts of muscle enzymes such as creatine kinase (CK) and sometimes lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) * Blood tests to detect auto-antibodies (antibodies that react with cells, tissues, or native proteins of the individual in which the antibodies are produced) * Skin biopsy of the rash * Biopsy of an affected muscle * Electromyography (EMG) testing * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of muscles How is dermatomyositis treated? Doctors usually begin treatment of dermatomyositis with steroid drugs such as Prednisone. Immunosuppressants (Imuran, methotrexate) might be helpful for patients who are not helped by Prednisone. Further treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), used to slow down the autoimmune process, has been shown to be effective and safe. Physical therapy can preserve muscle function and prevent muscle wasting. What is inclusion body myositis (IBM)? Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is an inflammatory and degenerative muscle disease that causes painless weakening of muscles. IBM progresses slowly and is sometimes misdiagnosed as treatment-resistant polymyositis, another inflammatory muscle disease that causes muscle weakness. IBM also might be misdiagnosed as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Symptoms of the disease usually begin after the age of 50, although the disease can occur earlier. IBM occurs more frequently in men than in women, and is the most common muscle disease in people aged 50 and older. What causes IBM? The cause of IBM is unknown. Because of the inflammation associated with IBM, some doctors think the disease is a form of autoimmune disorder. In this kind of disorder, the body’s immune system goes awry and attacks its own tissues — in this case, the muscles. Some experts have linked IBM to infection by a virus that has yet to be identified. Other researchers believe that the primary problem in IBM is an age-related inability of the muscle to deal with destructive chemicals. What are the symptoms of IBM? In IBM, the onset of muscle weakness usually is gradual, occurring over months or years. Falling and tripping usually are the first noticeable symptoms. For some people, IBM begins with weakness in the hands. People with IBM might have: * Difficulty with gripping, pinching, and buttoning * Weakness of the wrist and finger muscles * Atrophy (shrinking or wasting) of the muscles of the forearms * Weakness and visible wasting of the quadriceps muscles (the large muscles on the front part of the thighs) * Weakness of the lower leg muscles, below the knees * Weakness of the esophageal muscles, which can cause dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)—This occurs in about 20 percent t 40 percent of patients * Weakness of other muscle groups as the disease progresses How is IBM diagnosed? Doctors use a muscle biopsy to diagnose IBM. After administering an anesthetic, a doctor takes a sample of tissue from one of the affected muscles to be looked at in a laboratory. When viewed under the microscope, the muscle cells of a person with IBM contain vacuoles (rounded empty spaces). Within the vacuoles, there are usually abnormal clumps of several proteins including one called amyloid. The protein clumps, or inclusion bodies, give IBM its name. This is the hallmark of IBM. How is IBM treated? There is no effective course of treatment for IBM. The disease is unresponsive to corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs — two drugs that often treat inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. Some evidence suggests that intravenous immunoglobulin might help slightly in a small number of cases, but the benefit does not last long. Physical therapy might be helpful in maintaining mobility and helping to keep joints mobile. Other therapy, including treatments for the swallowing problems, is symptomatic and supportive.

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