Rav Adin Steinsaltz Talmudic Medicines

BS”D

more about “Rav Adin Steinsaltz Talmudic Medicines“, posted with vodpod

Who needs a gluten test? Dr Rodney Ford

bs”d

Celiac Disease On The View

bs”d

New Links

bs”d

In keeping with my newly found concern regarding celiac disease, as well as dermetits herpetiformis and the fact that CD is so vastly undiagnosed, I have added a new category in my blogroll, to the right. I will add new links as I run across the more worthwhile ones.

Some say about 1% of the American population has CD, and 98% are undiagnosed, doctors being nearly as unaware of this “hidden epidemic” as the rest of us. Being undiagnosed can have serious consequences to your health. Beware though. Being officially diagnosed, and having that in your medical records can also have serious consequences in terms of insurability. Where insurance is concerned, it can be a rotten world.

I guess I’d rather know in order to preserve my health, then deal with how it affects my insurability later. Being sick prevents folks from dealing with anything effectively.

Be well,

Ellie

Photo Link to Dermetitis Herpetiformis; Video on Celiac Disease

bs”d

I’m including these links to DH because DH is a form of celiac disease where the primary symptoms are expressed in itchy skin lesions. Often, there is no intestinal damage found on biopsy. It can take much longer for these symptoms to subside, sometimes up to two years after being gluten free. Furthermore, DH sufferers may be exquisitely more sensitive to minute amounts of gluten than those with celiac who have no DH symptoms.

Dermetitis Herpetiformis Photos

The Dermetitis Herpetiformis Online Community

Celiac Video

Ellie

Is Celiac Disease a Hidden Epidemic?

bs”d

I’ve been doing quite a lot of reading over the last few weeks on the topic of celiac disease (CD). This is due to recently learning a family member has been diagnosed with CD. At first, I was relatively casual about the whole thing. “Oh, what a nuisance this must be for so-and-so. Ah, but life is full of nuisances, and at least they know and can deal with it and get better.” You know the drill. Then, I started to really dig in and read about this illness. About 1/3 of a book into my reading, I realized just how serious this was for the family member in question. And for me. And for the rest of my family. That’s when it hit home.

Apparently, CD is much more common than most of us realize, some estimates say there are as many as 1 in every 100 Americans with CD. More often, however, the statistic cited is 1 in 133 Americans. That is still very high. People of northern European, Irish and Scottish descent appear to be the most heavily affected. One woman who is on the same celiac board as I emailed me, told me her story, and said she believes that with the English, Irish and Scottish, celiac disease or gluten intolerance is just a given. There are logical reasons for this, but I won’t get into on this post. (maybe the comments if someone asks) It is easy to figure out once one begins to read a few books on the subject. The most disturbing aspect of this medical drama is the fact that of those 1 in 133 Americans, around 97 percent remain undiagnosed. Do the math. It can’t be good.

CD has the potential to cause serious deterioration of health, some not recoverable even after treatment. There is currently no pill one can take to cure CD. Children don’t grow out of it, and it doesn’t come and go. It is a lifelong illness. The only effective treatment is a gluten free diet until the next world. (I don’t know what happens after that.)

This is a serious disease, and if it is in your immediate family, it is not something to ignore. It can lead to other illnesses that are even more deleterious. In children, it can trigger juvenile diabetes, something that ravages the health of the sufferer much more thoroughly and relentlessly than adult onset diabetes. By the way, “juvenile diabetes” is more accurately called “insulin dependent diabetes mellitis,” or IDDM. IDDM can happen anytime in the adult years, though it is more common in children and young adults. Other illnesses that can be triggered by untreated CD, for your consideration:

1. Alopecia Areata
2. Anemia (can permanently affect children’s intelligence)
3. Apthous Stomatitis (Canker Sores)
4. Autism
5. Birth defects (folic acid deficiency)
6. Cancer (risk greatly increased in several types)
7. Dementia
8. Dermatitis Herpetiformis (very itchy skin condition)
9. Dental Enamel Defects
10. Depression
11. Epilepsy
12. Fibromyalgia Syndrome
13. Hemorrhage, dangerous nosebleeds (due to vitamin K deficiency)
14. Hyperthyroidism
15. Hypothyroidism
16. Infertility
17. Irritability
18. Lupus
19. Migraines
20. Multiple Sclerosis
21. Neuropathy
22. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
23. Osteoporosis
24. Schizophrenia
25. Short Stature
26. Unintended weight gain
27. Unintended weight loss

And of course, those with CD often suffer from many gastrointestinal discomforts, such as chronic diarrhea, constipation (or alternating), bloating, nausea, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to name a few.

Don’t have any symptoms? Don’t get too comfy. It’s a little complicated. There is something called “asymptomatic CD”. You may not suffer from any significant symptoms and still have CD. So, you may ask, “If I have CD and don’t know it because it doesn’t bother me, so what’s the big deal?” I’ll tell you what the big deal is: If you have asymptomatic CD, you are still at greater risk than the general population for that long list of illnesses and complications I listed above, and more. Do remember, I have only provided a partial list.

In fact, someone with asymptomatic CD may be at a serious disadvantage, because this poor soul doesn’t even know his or her body is being ravaged by itself, maybe not until the damage is irreversible. This is kind of like the autoimmune disease version of leprosy … no pain, no pulling back from the fire, no fingers.

A second reason not to be complacent in the absence of symptoms is the existence of “latent CD”. Someone with this condition may not have “active CD” today, however if this individual continues on the typical American diet of gluten several times a day, overt or covert, then there is a very good chance of developing active CD within the next 1-7 years, with all the attendant risks. The good news is, once someone with CD does go gluten free (GF in CD lingo), these risks drop off precipitously.

CD is an autoimmune disease. That means, the body mistakenly attacks itself in an attempt to protect itself from a perceived invader. It causes malabsorption and non-absorption of nutrients, which explains the wide array of potential symptoms/complications. For that reason, many say it can’t be diagnosed clinically. It requires laboratory tests, and perhaps an intestinal biopsy for final confirmation.

Regarding autoimmune diseases, the commonly accepted axiom within the medical community is that autoimmune diseases usually come in groups. If you have one, you probably have others. I mention this, because there is a very strong connection between IDDM and celiac disease. CD folks have a greater chance of IDDM and IDDM sufferers have a greater chance of CD. That is also where Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism comes in. They can also be autoimmune diseases.

The ancient Romans play into this modern health crisis. Yup, that’s right. Those Romans — again. I mention them here because the far reaching effects of ancient Rome continually amaze me. Sometimes for the good, sometimes, not so much. The Romans kept wanting a lighter, fluffier bread, which motivated them to work very hard at producing wheat with more and more gluten. Gluten may make bread lighter and fluffier, but it is also the constituent in bread that is the most difficult to digest. Thought I’d toss that bit of intriguing history in for you to munch on, along with your gluten free cookie.

We can’t blame the Romans for everything however. (drats) There is strong evidence that our modern growing, harvesting, storage and food processing techniques are partially to blame for the current indigestible nature of most bread and other gluten products. The Weston A. Price Foundation has an intriguing article giving us all some hope for celiac bread consumption in the future. There is also some evidence that L-glutamine (Dangerous Grains pg 176) may assist CD sufferers in healing their damaged gut. These narrow findings don’t currently change the important recommendation for those with CD to stay on a gluten free diet, but it is enlightening information nevertheless.

I’ve concluded that most Americans should be screened for this disease, especially children. Beware however, current blood tests are notorious for their false negatives, especially if one is already on a low or no gluten diet. Intestinal biopsy is considered the “gold standard” for accurate diagnosis. Of course an intestinal biopsy has weaknesses as well. What if they take samples from every location in the upper intestine except the one area that isn’t damaged?? And, some folks with very advanced CD show no damage at all. Mystifying.

Diagnosis of celiac disease is an area of health care where Europe seems to be ahead of the game. As an example, Braly and Hoggans go over several methods of diagnosis, and cover some of their strengths and weaknesses. There is one method mentioned in Dangerous Grains (pg 74) which they claim is quick, relatively inexpensive, both sensitive and specific >> (no kidding). Ready for the name? — “rectal challenge” Yes, it’s as embarrassing as it sounds. This method of diagnosis is used in Europe, but can’t be found in America … yet. We can always hope (and dread). I wouldn’t say Europe is ahead in the area of treatment however. They seem to play a little fast and loose with some products, such as “wheat starch”, which they consider a staple for CD sufferers.

Many doctors in America are still under the impression that this is a rare disease of childhood, or simply don’t know much about celiac disease. (Some aren’t interested either.) For Americans, both patients and doctors, who are interested and are attempting to find out whether or not a given individual has CD, perseverence is definitely required.

There are a couple of books I’ve read and recommend:

Dangerous Grains by James Braly M.D. and Ron Hoggan M.A.

From page 57 — “High-Risk Candidates for Celiac Disease — Are You One of Them? 1. All first-desgree family members of those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. Some now argue for testing second degree relatives.”

Celiac DIsease: A Hidden Epidemic by Peter H.R. Green and Rory Jones

From page 174 — “Screening of Family Members: Celiac disease is a genetic condition. It is advisable to screen all first-degree relatives because early diagnosis can prevent the development of associated autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, and symptomatic celiac disease.

There is nothing to gain, — and much to lose — by ignoring the genetic predisposition. Celiac disease should be caught early, before complications can set in.”

Have I scared the gluten out of you? Good. Go forth and be tested.

Ellie

Childbirth in Dangerous Times

bs”d

Childbirth is a time when a family is vulnerable to medical establishment and/or government interference. The first thing to remember is this: You must read, and read A LOT. You do not need to know all the possible pathologies involved in pregnancy and childbirth. If you or your baby have serious health issues, then you will learn as you go. But, you must know all there is to know about normal pregnancy and childbirth. If you don’t, you are setting yourself up for problems.

We have watched friends friends and family, and have been aware, read and heard many stories over the years about homebirth families, some prepared, some not, as well as tragic stories about those who don’t choose to arm themselves with the knowledge they needed:

1. For women of child-bearing years, the most dangerous place to give birth, unless you are high-risk, is in the hospital. They will mess with you unless you are armed with information and prepared for a battle at every turn.

2. Find a qualified lay midwife and stay home if possible.

3. If you do give birth at some sort of medical facility, then try to use a midwife, and hire a “doula”. Well worth the money.

4. For homebirthing, pick out a homebirth friendly doctor/hospital/clinic as a back-up in case of an emergency.

5. Make out a birth plan and have those who will be attending your birth, or those in charge of the decisions sign it. Make sure they understand it all and cover all contingencies.

6. In that plan, insist on never being separated from your baby, not even for a bath, not for “routine tests” like hearing tests NOTHING. By this, I mean no mother/child separation. Cover possible medical necessities for the baby, and how you insist on those situations being dealt with. Examples: What sort of shots you will or won’t allow, whether you allow silver nitrate in the baby’s eyes, do you want your baby boy circumcised, do you allow a vitamin K shot?

7. If mother is not well enough, and the baby must leave her presence for some important reason, then the father or other knowledgable family member should accompany the baby. If a family member other than the father/mother might be making decisions, look into how to make sure that is legally enforceable and make this known to your health care providers. Leave nothing to assumptions.

8. If you give birth in a medical facility, make a similar birth plan, and be emotionally prepared to argue with them. If you or your husband are not the confrontative type, then learn to be, otherwise, just steer clear of the hospital. Some hospitals are better than others, so shop around. There are also birthing centers. Trust your wariness. If there is a red flag going up, and you can’t explain why, just go with it.

9. Sometimes the disagreements between the medical staff and the family result in being put on a “watch list” of so-called “high risk” families, meaning high risk for “abuse” or “medical neglect” or even losing children to the “child protective agency” in your state, whatever they may call themselves. For homebirth families who must transfer to the hospital, be especially wary of this.

Childbirth is one “achilles heal” we as freedom loving families have…reinforce and strengthen yourselves as much as you are able in this area. Much can be done. As with everything, knowledge, courage and prayer/dependence on your Father in Heaven are the key. But don’t expect Him to protect you if you refuse to do your part.

There are legal remedies that will take your family out of the governments’ jurisdiction in regards to your family. Learn what they are, but don’t count on anything, except your faith and your fortitude. I think there will come a day when these remedies will be laughed at too…a day of total lawlessness on the part of the “government”.

One last thought: Do not smoke, or use caffeine in any form when pregnant. Eat a healthy, protein rich diet. Learn what Nourishing Traditions has to say about nutrition. Knowledge and diligence in this area will prevent many health problems in both mother and baby.

Flouride Toxicity Debate

bs”d

For an in-depth post on this topic please visit End of Men. There is a recommended reading list at the end of the above mentioned post, which looks to be very informative.

List of books mentioned in Dr. Stanley Monteith’s lecture (first video):

• The Flouride Deception by Chris Bryson
• The Age of Treason (??)
• Project Day Lily by Garth & Nicolson, Nancy Nicolson
• Flouride Toxicity – Some Danish Author, 1937, unavailable

Hope For Fibromyalgia Patients

bs”d

For those suffering from Fibromyalgia, I have found a very useful website. My enthusiasm is based on the reports from friends who have suffered with this disease for years, and are experiencing full recovery after trying everything they could find to get back their lives. Points in favor of this protocol:

• Inexpensive
• Uncomplicated
• 80% or better full recovery rate

The books and DVD’s are clearly written and the theory Dr. St. Amand lays out in his book as to the cause of Fibromyalgia, as well as why his protocol works, makes sense.

Fibromyalgia Treatment Center

Dr. St. Amand, an endocrinologist, has developed his “Guai Protocol” over a period of 40 years or so. Through his experience, he’s also discovered a nearly 100% accurate clinical diagnostic method which he has termed “mapping”. It is more objective than the better known “tender points” method of diagnosis, and certainly an improvement over the old stand-by method — “process of elimination”. (It’s not this, this or this, so it must be Fibromyalgia.)

There are three important components to the Guai Protocal. Getting mapped to confirm the diagnosis; taking a pharmaceutically pure form of the extract from a type of tree bark, called “Guafenesin”; and eliminating excess exposure to salicylates, especially via the skin. The salicylate thing is the most complicated part of the protocol…but it’s not really all that complicated either. A fourth possible component exists for the Fibromyalgia patient who also has Hypoglycemia, roughly 30% of Fibro sufferers. This is all covered on the site, as well as books and videos. The books can also be purchased at local bookstores.

Ideally, patients should find a qualified practitioner to map them prior to beginning the Guai protocol. There is a chart for each state on the site listing practitioners who can either map or assist with the Guai Protocol, or both. It might be good to try out two or more mappers, and compare the results afterwards. A friend told me if the map doesn’t match the symptoms, go with the symptoms. That’s where watching the DVD on mapping comes in handy. By watching the DVD, you will be able to protect yourself from a mapper who is just in it to collect their $50.00…but doesn’t know what they’re doing.

Guaifenesin is inexpensive and readily available, with or without prescription. The prescription form is even less expensive and more effective for most Fibromyalgia patients. Guaifenesin, has been used for various health problems for over 500 years, with no known side effects. The fact that there are no side effects when taking Guafenesin is another helpful diagnostic tool for the person suspecting they may have Fibromyalgia. If you have Fibromyalgia, taking Guaifenesin will make usually you feel worse, because it works to purge the body of the excess phosphates which are theorized to be the cause of the illness, and this can be painful. The exception may be for those with high pain tolerances, who will really need the mapping to see if they have this syndrome and if their dosages are strong enough to effect a reversal.

Fibromyalgia is a cyclic disease. When on the Guai Protocal, the patient will be cycling out of the symptoms of the disease, which will increase symptoms for a time. In fact, the protocol calls for an increase in dosage, if after the first week, the patient does not feel worse.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, according to Dr. St. Amand, is Fibromyalgia in patients with a high pain tolerance. St. Amand also states that Fibromyalgia tends to run in families. The symptoms can begin in childhood, and, if left untreated, over an extended period, can develop into Osteoarthritis…a crippling and painful disease. At this point the symptoms are not completely reversible. Fibromyalgia seems to be most prevalent in women… 85% women, 15% men, although this may be due more to the fact that men don’t seek medical help as often as women. The hormonal make-up of men may serve as a protection against Fibromyalgia in men. Dr. St. Amand further states that if you’re going to be saddled with a chronic illness, Fibromyalgia is the best one of the bunch, as the Guai protocol is so easy and inexpensive, with such a strong possibility of total reversal, if caught in time.

If you have Hypoglycemia, you will be required to alter your diet so that you eat little or no carbs, except for certain low glycemic index vegetables. He has a strict list in his book and a liberal list. They don’t differ in effectiveness. The strict list will enable the Hypoglycemic to lose weight. Hypoglycemia aggravates and speeds up the progression of Fibromyalgia. If you have Hypoglycemia and you don’t deal with it at the same time you’re on the Guai protocol, the Guai protocol will have no effect on you. How the two diseases interact with one another is also covered in Dr. St. Amand’s book, as well as on the site.

Fibromyalgia destroys the body’s ability to produce energy. After a number of years with this steadily debilitating disease, the patient, who has probably gone from doctor to doctor over the years, perhaps has been made to feel that they are slackers, or hypochondriacs, begins to give up and just go to bed. At that point, it can be hard to pry the weary mind open. So, if you have friends who have this disease, don’t be surprised if they are resistant to help. They may have tried many standard or alternative treatments, to no avail. They may not be anxious to get their hopes up, only to find they’ve hit another dead end. Take some initiative, for their sake…maybe buy them the book, find a doctor, drive them to their first appointments, until they begin to see some recovery. A worn out Fibromyalgia patient may not be able to help themselves much if they’re in an advanced state of the disease. But once they begin to see improvement, they will probably be more than willing to take it from there.

Colloidal Silver

bs”d

Here is the link to my brand new colloidal silver generator! I had another type for about 8 years, (well, I shared it with someone else who actually was the owner) but have upgraded out of necessity. (The owner wanted it back) It is less expensive than the model I used to have, easier to use, lower maintenance as well. The unit comes with detailed and clear instructions.

My previous c/s generator:

1. Battery operated via 9V battery.
2. Made one pint at a time.
3. Required that distilled water be boiled in a glass saucepan prior to using the unit.
4. ppm was not adjustable.
5. Round rods needed to be cleaned with vinegar and a slightly abrasive material.
6. Rods must be inserted and removed, wearing out the contacts.
7. The product was often yellow, which means poor quality c/s.
8. I had to hang around and time when to shut off this generator.
9. Cost $300 approximately eight years ago!!

GenSilver generator:

1. Plugs in…no batteries, making for a more powerful and consistent current.
2. Makes a minimum of 1 quart at a time, and up to 1 gallon at a time.
3. Uses room temperature distilled water.
4. ppm is adjustable from 5-20.
5. Flat silver rods, makes it easier to clean.
6. Unit doesn’t need to be assembled and disassembled.
7. There is a little plastic rod that gently “stirs” the water, preventing agglomeration.
8. The unit shuts off automatically when the required ppm is reached.
9. The unit screws onto the top of a standard mouth mason jar. It is also stored this way.
10. Cost $219 + s&h.

This company also sells meters to test your distilled water for purity and to test your c/s solution for ppm. According to this site, a high ppm is not as important as is size of each part…the smaller the better. Incidentally, this stuff is more correctly called ionic/colloidal silver. But we Americans like our terms to be succinct, even if we must sacrifice absolute accuracy.

There are concerns from some corners (and under various dark rocks) that c/s can cause a condition called “Argyria”. When you have Argryia, you turn blue, grey, or blue/grey. You can read about some victims of this condition by googling the condition. One continued supporter of the use of colloidal silver, who did manage to turn himself a bit blue, here and there, under some lighting and on some days, is Stan Jones, Montana’s Libertarian Party candidate for the U.S. Senate. I don’t know how updated the political information is, actually…. anyway… if you do a google search on his story, you will find that his condition has been greatly exaggerated in his opinion, and that he admits he didn’t make his colloidal silver under optimal conditions. He has since learned and is back to making colloidal silver, this time properly. Here is one article, service of Wikipedia.

My suspicions (yes, I am often suspicious) are that the FDA is behind the exaggeration of the dangers of Argyria. No doubt, improperly prepared c/s solutions can cause such problems. There is information, both pro and con all over the web. I found an article from Quackwatch, which disparages the effectiveness of colloidal silver, warning of the dangers of Argyria. This particular article is an informative yet quick read. They market their own c/s generator with which I’m not familiar. There’s a brief description as to why the c/s works in there too. Here is another site with lots of scientific information on colloidal silver, FAQ’s etc.

You can make your own c/s generator (like Stan did). DO read up on all the units, and get your facts straight on the pro’s and con’s of your options. After looking over several sites that claim their c/s generator is one of the best or THE best on the market, I am still very pleased with my choice.

One final note of interest: There is one page…and I may just look it up sometime in order to reference it here…but there is one page in a book totally unrelated to the benefits and risks of colloidal silver, entitled “The Secret War Against the Jews”. On that page, there is a brief discussion of some sort of silver compound or solution or something, that the former Soviet Union discovered to be very effective against any of the then known, most powerful biological warfare agents. The Soviets, understandably, decided not to disclose their discovery.

Hm. I’ll get that page reference sometime for ya.