About Me
- Donna
- The HC Wellness Center offers both traditional and alternative therapies to assist clients in achieving optimal health, wellness and balance. Featuring as its principle service Colon Hydrotherapy, formerly seen only at fine spas and destination resorts, HC Wellness Center & Spa is one of the first to offer this valuable wellness service to the Charlotte Metropolitan and surrounding areas. HC Wellness Center & Spa is a premier North Carolina spa providing the most luxurious, and beneficial wellness and beauty services available to the Charlotte Metropolitan and surrounding areas. Established in 2004 with the vision of combining traditional spa treatments, that promote relaxation and well being, with the most advanced skin, body and wellness services. The HC Spa supplies a moment of luxury for your body, mind and spirit. Here nature and science meet harmoniously as the finest massage, skin care and spa treatments await you.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Are you troubled by: Crohn's? Colitis? Celiac? Irritable Bowel?
Are you troubled by:
Crohn's? Colitis? Celiac?
Irritable Bowel?
Millions of Americans
suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases (lBDs) like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
Millions more suffer from Celiac disease
and irritable bowel
syndrome (lBS). If you're one of those millions, this newsletter will provide
you with practical tips to help ease your gastrointestinal distress and find
lasting relief.
Inflammatory
Bowel Disease
Finding Lasting
Relief from Gastrointestinal Inflammation
The term Inflammatory
Bowel Disease (IBD) is a broad term referring to any disease characterized by
inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. The two most
common types of these diseases are Crohn's and ulcerative
colitis. Both of these conditions can make your life miserable with
symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, rectal
bleeding, fever, joint pain, loss of appetite and fatigue, not to mention
fistulas and complications that can require surgery to remove part or all of
the colon. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that about 1.4
million Americans suffer from IBD, and 10% of those are
children.
The main
difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is the location and nature of the inflammation.
Crohn's can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from mouth to anus, although
most cases start in the ileum. Ulcerative
colitis is restricted to the colon and the rectum. Microscopically, ulcerative
colitis is restricted to the epithelial lining of
the gut, while Crohn's disease affects the entire wall of the
bowel.
Celiac
Disease and Gluten Intolerance
A closely
related problem is Celiac disease. This is also a
condition involving gut inflammation, but is an
autoimmune disorder involving an intolerance to gluten. Gluten is
the protein in wheat (and other grains like rye and barley) that
makes dough elastic. Celiac disease tends to run in families (suggesting genetic
origins) and, like other autoimmune conditions, can be triggered by a
physical stress such as surgery, pregnancy, childbirth and viral infection. Sometimes, severe
emotional stress can set it in motion.
In Celiac disease the
immune system damages the microvilli, the tiny protrusions
in the small intestines necessary for proper absorption of
nutrients. This can lead to malnutrition in spite of the nutrients one is
consuming in food. Symptoms of Celiac disease include
recurring abdominal bloating and pain, chronic
diarrhea, foul-smelling, greasy or discolored stool, weight loss, anemia, bone pain, fatigue,
delayed growth and failure to thrive in children and infants.
People who do not have
Celiac disease may still have an intolerance to gluten, causing intestinal
inflammation and immune system problems. This is called gluten sensitivity
and probably plays a role in IBD, which is why we
are including information about Celiac disease in this
newsletter, even though it is not considered an IBD.
Leaky
Gut Syndrome
Diseases involving
inflammation of the intestines damage intestinal membranes and increase their
permeability, allowing partially digested proteins, fats and
waste, not normally absorbed, to leak from the intestines into the blood stream. This
condition is known as leaky gut syndrome. This is why IBD and
Celiac disease can be the root causes of other
autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and rheumatoid
arthritis. They may also contribute to allergies, asthma, depression, irritability and even "mental" illness.
Incidentally, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are quite different. Unlike IBD, IBS does
not cause inflammation, ulcers or other
damage to the bowel. In IBS, the digestive system looks normal
but doesn't work as it should. Symptoms of IBS, once referred to as "spastic
colon," include painful cramping, bloating, gas, mucus in the stool,
diarrhea and constipation. However, IBS can have similar root causes to IBD, so some of the
natural remedies discussed inside may be helpful for IBS as well.
Healing the Gastrointestinal
Tract
Even though lBD (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), Celiac disease and IES
are different, they have common root causes and natural therapies. So, we're
going to discuss all of them in this newsletter. However, in
working with these conditions, especially lBD and Celiac, it is important
to get a proper medical diagnosis and to have medical supervision, as these
illnesses can cause life-threatening health problems.
To understand how to work with
these conditions naturally we need to understand what causes them, as natural healing is all about
fixing causes rather than treating effects. Even
though medical science has not fully understood the causes, we
can extrapolate some of the causes by looking at
risk factors.
Although it is well established that
intolerance to gluten (which may have genetic roots) is the direct cause of the symptoms of Celiac disease, the
intolerance to gluten often appears to lie dormant until something
triggers it. Furthermore, many of the same factors that trigger Celiac disease also
trigger lBD, which include diet, the use of certain drug medications
and emotional stress. Here are some of the triggers.
Risk
Factors for Intestinal
Inflammation
People who live in Western countries have a
higher risk for developing lBD than people in other
countries. However, as countries industrialize and adopt Western diets and lifestyles, lBD increases. So, there is
definitely a lifestyle cause.
Smokers are at higher
risk of developing Crohns disease, whereas they are at lower risk of developing ulcerative colitis. Research has linked
long-term oral contraceptive use to a higher risk of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's. Other drugs, such as isotretinoin (Accutane),
could also play a role. Pain-relieving NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) can worsen lBD symptoms
but are not thought to increase the risk of
getting the disease initially.
One Japanese
study reported an increased risk of Crohn's disease for
women who consume a lot of animal and milk
proteins. Other studies report a possible link to overconsumption of foods
high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which suggests a lack
of omega-3 essential fatty acids may be involved.
A big factor may
be the balance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Healthy intestines contain trillions of good bacteria or friendly flora.
These organisms play a role in digesting certain foods
(especially dairy), protecting the body from infection and regulating the immune responses.
Antibiotics and other drugs can disrupt the
balance of these intestinal bacterial, as can infections with
harmful bacteria such as salmonella and campylobacter. Both of these bacteria have been associated with lBD.
They are ingested in contaminated food and are responsible for thousands of cases of
food poisoning each year.
Since stress can trigger
these bowel disorders, it's possible they may have emotional triggers, too. Adrenal fatigue results in lower levels of
cortisol, which controls inflammation. Also, stress can be a factor in the regulation of
the immune system, which may aggravate the autoimmune factor in intestinal inflammation.
Strategies
for Healing the Intestines
The following measures have shown to help bring Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis under control. Many of these same strategies will help Celiac disease.
Adopt a Paleo Diet
Just a few thousand years ago, practically all human
beings lived on what has been called the hunter-gatherer or paleo diet. These
people simply collected the foods nature provided, which
means they ate wild game and fish, raw milk and wild plant foods. Grain was not a significant part of
this diet, and what grains and seeds were consumed were typically soaked and/or fermented before consumption. In addition,
foods were not sterilized, so people had a wider range of gut microflora (probiotics)
than people do today.
As mankind learned to
farm, diets changed. Today, we consume a large amount of grain and simple
sugars. The meat and dairy products
we consume are also raised on grain instead of grass. Dairy products are no longer whole and raw. Naturally fermented
foods and other foods containing probiotics are not consumed. These changes in diet are probably the underlying cause of all of
these diseases of the intestines.
The place to start is to avoid
all gluten-bearing grains,
which include wheat (including bulgur, durum flour, farina, graham
flour, semolina), barley (including malt, malt flavoring and malt vinegar), rye, triticale, spelt and kamut. This is an absolute necessity when working with Celiac disease, but it can also be helpful
for lBD.
Usually rice, corn,
amaranth, buckwheat, millet and quinoa will be OK because they don't
contain gluten. However, some people have found that in the beginning stages of therapy, it can be helpful to
avoid all grains to give the intestines a better chance to heal. Many people
also find it's a good idea to avoid all legumes (beans, soy products, lentils
and peas) as well.
It may also be necessary to avoid all dairy products. Some people will do all right with
cultured dairy like yogurt and cheese, but many people have to eliminate all dairy foods. It is also important to avoid
eating refined sugars of all kinds and may even be helpful to eliminate honey, maple syrup and sugary fruits. In addition, people with lBD
and IBS should avoid products sweetened with manitol, sorbitol and xylitol.
Ideally, the diet should
include servings of meat from grass-fed animals, eggs from pasture-raised
chickens, wild-caught fish and game, and lots of vegetables, particularly non-starchy ones like zucchini, greens (such as mustard greens, beet greens, Swiss chard and kale), broccoli, cauliflower and
cabbage. Good fats, like butter from grass-fed cows, coconut oil and avocados are also acceptable.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Recipes
Melon Mojito
2 cups cubed Honeydew Melon (I like to freeze mine)
1 cup cubed English Cucumber
1 cup coconut water (I freeze this into cubes too!)
12 fresh mint leaves
3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
Agave or honey squirt
Blend until smooth.
Makes 2 servings.
95 calories per serving.
1 cup coconut water (I freeze this into cubes too!)
12 fresh mint leaves
3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
Agave or honey squirt
Blend until smooth.
Makes 2 servings.
95 calories per serving.
Watermelon Breeze
3 cups cubed chilled watermelon
1 cup coconut water
1 cup coconut water
squeeze of fresh lime
Ice if needed
Sprig of mint
Put all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.
Makes two servings.
90 calories per serving.
Ice if needed
Sprig of mint
Put all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.
Makes two servings.
90 calories per serving.
Lavender Cooler
Servings: Makes about 16 servings
Ingredients
3 cups sugar
7 sprigs lavender (stems and buds), plus additional for garnish*
2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 12 lemons)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from about 5 limes)
Directions
In a large saucepan, bring one gallon of water and the sugar to a boil. Remove from heat; add 7 lavender sprigs and lemon and lime juices. Cool to room temperature, strain, and chill. Serve on ice, with additional lavender for garnish.
* If unavailable, substitute fresh basil or lemon thyme.
7 sprigs lavender (stems and buds), plus additional for garnish*
2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 12 lemons)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from about 5 limes)
Directions
In a large saucepan, bring one gallon of water and the sugar to a boil. Remove from heat; add 7 lavender sprigs and lemon and lime juices. Cool to room temperature, strain, and chill. Serve on ice, with additional lavender for garnish.
* If unavailable, substitute fresh basil or lemon thyme.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Parasites! Ridding Your Body of Unwanted Parasites
Parasites!
Many of us have unwanted "dinner guests" inside our bodies called
parasites. They range from critters like hookworms, pinworms and tapeworms, to single-celled organisms like giardia, H. pyloria and candida albicans. Learn about natural options for evicting these unwanted guests inside.
Look What Came with Dinner!
Ridding Your Body of Unwanted Parasites
When most of us think of parasites hideous images come to mind, such as ten foot tape worms being coaxed out of human hosts-or starving children in third world countries with swollen bellies. But, not all parasites are giant worms, many are microscopic, single-celled organisms. Furthermore, parasites aren't limited to people living in third-world countries. Many people in North American also have problems with parasites and don't realize it.
People can pick up parasites from food, water or pets, or through the skin or mucus membranes. Fortunately, where clean food and water are the norm, odds are very small that people will have a serious parasite problem. However, as more and more food is coming out of third-world countries, parasite problems are on the rise.
Furthermore, if you have pets or animals with parasites, there is a high probability that you have them, too. It's also easy to pick up parasites while traveling in foreign countries. So, if you've experienced a change in your health after traveling, parasites may be the reason.
Diagnosing Parasite Problems
Once parasites are in the body, they can be very hard to diagnose. A stool analysis mayor may not reveal their presence because a particular sample may not contain them. In fact, parasite problems are often so evasive to standard medical investigation that no one can accurately estimate how much of the population may be afflicted.
Fortunately, pinworms are one of the easier parasites to detect because they cause rectal itching. If one examines the rectal area at night with a flashlight, the worms appear as white threads at the anal opening. Other symptoms include: nervousness, inability to concentrate, lack of appetite and unusual dark circles around the eyes.
Take precautions to prevent pinworms from spreading by washing bed linens, bed clothes and underwear of the entire family, having the infected child take daily morning showers to remove eggs deposited in the rectal region during the night, disinfecting toilet seats, bathtubs, sinks and door handles daily, and being sure everybodywashes their hands (and fingernails) before meals. Clean cat litter boxes daily. Also, avoid a diet high in sugar and other junk food, which gives parasites more to feed on.
Whipworms and hookworms are less common, but pose a more serious threat to human health. Whipworms inject a fluid which, liquefies colon tissue so the worms can ingest it. This creates severe nutritional deficiencies and infectiotns.
Hookworms bite and suck on the intestinal wall, causing bleeding and destroying tissue. This can be severe enough to cause
death. Since they consume iron, they cause severe anemia, which can help in detecting them.
Natural therapies for nematodes include garlic enemas or suppositories, Para-Cleanse, Artemesia Combination, High Potency Protease and Herbal Pumpkin.
Tapeworms
Other parasites may actually be more dangerous to one's health, but tapeworms (Taenia saginata-beef tapeworm and T.
solium-pork tapeworm) are emotionally disturbing because of their size. Tapeworms require an intermediate host, so they are usually ingested by eating improperly cooked beef, pork or fish.
Tapeworms are composed of 3,000 to 4,000 segments per worm. New segments are formed near the head, and the ones on the end are cast off with egg packets. When passed, these segments look like grains of uncooked rice or cucumber seeds. This is one of the ways they can be diagnosed. Other symptoms of tapeworms include diarrhea or constipation-or alternating diarrhea and constipation. Some people lose weight with tapeworms, but it is more common for the host to be overweight and retaining water. Tapeworms raise blood sugar levels, cause anemia and interfere with vitamin B12 uptake.
Natural therapies for tapeworms include Para-Cleanse, Herbal Pumpkin, Artemesia Combination and High Potency Protease. Fasting on raw pineapple has helped in destroying them. Raw fig juice and pumpkin seeds have also proven helpful.
Giardia lamblia
This single celled organism is the most common cause of waterborne disease in the United States. It is picked up by drinking or swallowing contaminated water. Because giardia forms cysts that are not destroyed by chlorination, they must be filtered from water.
Symptoms of giardia include diarrhea, gas, upset stomach or stomach cramps, nausea and/or greasy stools that tend to float. Symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after exposure. Goldenseal and Activated Charcoal are helpful natural remedies for giardia.
Yeast and Fungus
Various strains of yeast and fungus (such as Candidaalbicans) can be considered parasites because they weaken intestinal membranes and make them more permeable. They also weaken the immune system. Yeast overgrowth is very common after a person has had several rounds of antibiotics. It can also occur from chemotherapy and other drugs, which damage friendly bacteria in the intestines. Candida Clear, Yeast/Fungal Detox, Caprylimune, High Potency Garlic and pau d'arco are good remedies for fungal infections. Probiotics, such as Probiotic Eleven or Bifidophilus Flora Force help prevent both yeast and bacterial infections.
Bacteria
We don't usually think of bacteria as parasites, but strains such as H pylori can function as parasites because they are involved in the development of ulcers. The balance of bacteria in the intestines also plays a role in keeping the gut from being susceptible to invasion from other parasites. Probiotics help keep harmful bacteria in check in the intestines and High Potency Garlic, GastroHealth and Goldenseal/Echinacea are good remedies for getting rid of harmful bacteria in the intestinal tract.
Evict Those Unwanted Dinner Guests
If you or your doctor determines that you have parasites, you should waste no time in evicting them. Even if you haven't been diagnosed with parasites, it may be helpful to do a periodic parasite cleanse-especially if you have pets or animals, recently traveled to a foreign country, or have a chronic illness that seems to linger no matter what you do. Here are some options.
Para-Cleanse: A Pre-Packaged Parasite Cleanse
Para-Cleanse is a convenient and effective parasite cleansing program. It contains Herbal Pumpkin Combination, Paw Paw Cell-Reg, Black Walnut ATC Concentrate and Artemesia Combination. Para-Cleanse can help to remove worms, yeast, bacteria and other parasites from the intestinal tract.
Para-Cleanse is a 10-day program. To use it, take the contents of one packet (6 capsules) 15 minutes before breakfast and 15 minutes before dinner daily for 10 days. Drink one glass (8 ounces) of water with each pack. After consuming one box of Para-Cleanse, wait seven days, then do a second round of the program.
The idea behind this is that the first cleanse removes the parasites and the break in-between allows any eggs to hatch so that the second cleanse removes any newly-hatched parasites. Cleansing for longer than this is not recommended and it is a good idea to follow up with a round of probiotics after the cleanse to help repopulate the friendly intestinal flora. Para-Cleanse is not recommended for children under the age of 12 or for pregnant women or nursing mothers.
You can also use the individual components of Para-Cleanse for specific parasite problems. Several of these remedies can be taken over longer periods of time and are safe for pregnant women, nursing mothers and younger children.
Herbal Pumpkin
This traditional parasite cleansing formula utilizes two gentle antiparasitic remedies: pumpkin seeds and black walnut. This formula helps get rid of worms and has a soothing effect on the digestive tract. It can also be helpful for prostate problems. It is safe for children, pets, pregnant women and nursing mothers. The normal dosage is 2 capsules one to three times per day.
Artemesia Combination
This is a more potent antiparasitic formula because it contains wormwood and mugwort. These powerful antiparasitic herbs are not recommended for children, pregnant women or nursing mothers. Arternesia Combination also contains elecampane, clove buds, garlic, ginger, turmeric root and olive leaf. It can be helpful for nematodes, yeast and bacteria and even for tapeworms when taken in higher doses. The normal dosage is also 2 capsules three times per day. For tapeworms you may have to double the dose.
Yeast/Fungal Detox
This blend is targeted at yeast, but it also helps knock down infectious bacteria and has a mild antiparasitic effect. It makes the intestinal environment less friendly for other parasites. The
ingredients are caprylic acid, sodium propionate, sorbic acid, Echinacea purpurea root, oregano, garlic, pau d' arco, selenium and zinc. Many of these ingredients also build general immunity.
Paw Paw Cell-Reg
This is a standardized extract of acetogenins from the American paw paw tree. Acetogenins are very effective antiparasitic remedies because they destroy the ability of bacteria, viruses, yeast and other organisms to reproduce. They do this by depriving them of the energy they require for replication. The inclusion of Paw Paw Cell-Reg in the Para-Cleanse program is what makes it one of the strongest natural antiparasitic programs in the marketplace. Paw Paw Cell-Reg is also used for cancer. It should be used with with professional supervision with pregnant women, nursing mothers or children under the age of 12.
Black Walnut
Black Walnut is frequently used for parasites, as it is believed to help kill their eggs. Its high iodine content may be part of the reason it is effective against a variety of microbes and parasites. It is one of the best antiparasitic remedies for children and is available in liquid form. Black Walnut is also a good remedy for parasites in pets. It can be safely taken for long periods of time.
Other Anti-Parasitic Remedies
In addition to the Para-Cleanse and its ingredients, here are some other useful antiparasitic remedies.
Gastro Health
This blend contains pau d' arco, cloves, elecampane and licorice, which were tested and proven effective against H pylori bacteria believed to be responsible for ulcers. Gastro Health not only helps ulcerations to heal, it also helps to rid the GI tract of other parasites and bacteria. It encourages the growth of friendly bacteria, which help protect against parasites, too.
Candida Clear
Like the Para-Cleanse, Candida Clear is a pre-packaged program that helps to rid the body of yeast and fungal parasites. It can also be helpful for bacteria and other invaders as well. It contains pau d' arco, Caprylic Acid Combination, Yeast Fungal Detox and special enzymes which are taken between meals. These enzymes are very helpful in getting rid of other parasites besides yeast.
Single Herbs
In addition to black walnut, two orher herbs are very helpful for evicting parasites. Goldenseal is recognized in the Materia Medica of many countries as an effective remedy for giardia. The required dose is high-lO grams per day (about 20 capsules) for ten days.
Activated Charcoal can also be helpful for dealing with diarrhea. Raw garlic is a potent antiparasitic agent and also works on intestinal fungal and bacterial infections. It is used for worms (pinworms, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms), giardia, amoebic dysentery and yeast. A garlic enema is an effective way to get rid of worms. High Potency Garlic can also be used as a suppository.
Other antiparasitic herbs include cloves, pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds and horsetail. Raw almonds (with skins), raw carrots,
raw onions, raw papaya, figs, cucumbers and lemon water are other helpful remedies for parasites, especially in children.
Additional Tips
During any parasite cleansing program, it is helpful to avoid simple sugars, alcohol and caffeine. Enzymes such as High Potency Protease and an herbal laxative like LBS II may also prove helpful in flushing out parasites. Always drink plenty of water, too. Since family members unwittingly share parasites with each other, best results are obtained when all family members do a parasite cleanse at the same time. If you have pets, it may be a good idea for you to do a parasite cleanse for both your pets and your family once or twice a year.
Check out our web site for call for more information. 704-823-1577
http://hcwellnesscenterandspa.com/
Many of us have unwanted "dinner guests" inside our bodies called
parasites. They range from critters like hookworms, pinworms and tapeworms, to single-celled organisms like giardia, H. pyloria and candida albicans. Learn about natural options for evicting these unwanted guests inside.
Look What Came with Dinner!
Ridding Your Body of Unwanted Parasites
When most of us think of parasites hideous images come to mind, such as ten foot tape worms being coaxed out of human hosts-or starving children in third world countries with swollen bellies. But, not all parasites are giant worms, many are microscopic, single-celled organisms. Furthermore, parasites aren't limited to people living in third-world countries. Many people in North American also have problems with parasites and don't realize it.
People can pick up parasites from food, water or pets, or through the skin or mucus membranes. Fortunately, where clean food and water are the norm, odds are very small that people will have a serious parasite problem. However, as more and more food is coming out of third-world countries, parasite problems are on the rise.
Furthermore, if you have pets or animals with parasites, there is a high probability that you have them, too. It's also easy to pick up parasites while traveling in foreign countries. So, if you've experienced a change in your health after traveling, parasites may be the reason.
Diagnosing Parasite Problems
Once parasites are in the body, they can be very hard to diagnose. A stool analysis mayor may not reveal their presence because a particular sample may not contain them. In fact, parasite problems are often so evasive to standard medical investigation that no one can accurately estimate how much of the population may be afflicted.
Fortunately, pinworms are one of the easier parasites to detect because they cause rectal itching. If one examines the rectal area at night with a flashlight, the worms appear as white threads at the anal opening. Other symptoms include: nervousness, inability to concentrate, lack of appetite and unusual dark circles around the eyes.
Take precautions to prevent pinworms from spreading by washing bed linens, bed clothes and underwear of the entire family, having the infected child take daily morning showers to remove eggs deposited in the rectal region during the night, disinfecting toilet seats, bathtubs, sinks and door handles daily, and being sure everybodywashes their hands (and fingernails) before meals. Clean cat litter boxes daily. Also, avoid a diet high in sugar and other junk food, which gives parasites more to feed on.
Whipworms and hookworms are less common, but pose a more serious threat to human health. Whipworms inject a fluid which, liquefies colon tissue so the worms can ingest it. This creates severe nutritional deficiencies and infectiotns.
Hookworms bite and suck on the intestinal wall, causing bleeding and destroying tissue. This can be severe enough to cause
death. Since they consume iron, they cause severe anemia, which can help in detecting them.
Natural therapies for nematodes include garlic enemas or suppositories, Para-Cleanse, Artemesia Combination, High Potency Protease and Herbal Pumpkin.
Tapeworms
Other parasites may actually be more dangerous to one's health, but tapeworms (Taenia saginata-beef tapeworm and T.
solium-pork tapeworm) are emotionally disturbing because of their size. Tapeworms require an intermediate host, so they are usually ingested by eating improperly cooked beef, pork or fish.
Tapeworms are composed of 3,000 to 4,000 segments per worm. New segments are formed near the head, and the ones on the end are cast off with egg packets. When passed, these segments look like grains of uncooked rice or cucumber seeds. This is one of the ways they can be diagnosed. Other symptoms of tapeworms include diarrhea or constipation-or alternating diarrhea and constipation. Some people lose weight with tapeworms, but it is more common for the host to be overweight and retaining water. Tapeworms raise blood sugar levels, cause anemia and interfere with vitamin B12 uptake.
Natural therapies for tapeworms include Para-Cleanse, Herbal Pumpkin, Artemesia Combination and High Potency Protease. Fasting on raw pineapple has helped in destroying them. Raw fig juice and pumpkin seeds have also proven helpful.
Giardia lamblia
This single celled organism is the most common cause of waterborne disease in the United States. It is picked up by drinking or swallowing contaminated water. Because giardia forms cysts that are not destroyed by chlorination, they must be filtered from water.
Symptoms of giardia include diarrhea, gas, upset stomach or stomach cramps, nausea and/or greasy stools that tend to float. Symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after exposure. Goldenseal and Activated Charcoal are helpful natural remedies for giardia.
Yeast and Fungus
Various strains of yeast and fungus (such as Candidaalbicans) can be considered parasites because they weaken intestinal membranes and make them more permeable. They also weaken the immune system. Yeast overgrowth is very common after a person has had several rounds of antibiotics. It can also occur from chemotherapy and other drugs, which damage friendly bacteria in the intestines. Candida Clear, Yeast/Fungal Detox, Caprylimune, High Potency Garlic and pau d'arco are good remedies for fungal infections. Probiotics, such as Probiotic Eleven or Bifidophilus Flora Force help prevent both yeast and bacterial infections.
Bacteria
We don't usually think of bacteria as parasites, but strains such as H pylori can function as parasites because they are involved in the development of ulcers. The balance of bacteria in the intestines also plays a role in keeping the gut from being susceptible to invasion from other parasites. Probiotics help keep harmful bacteria in check in the intestines and High Potency Garlic, GastroHealth and Goldenseal/Echinacea are good remedies for getting rid of harmful bacteria in the intestinal tract.
Evict Those Unwanted Dinner Guests
If you or your doctor determines that you have parasites, you should waste no time in evicting them. Even if you haven't been diagnosed with parasites, it may be helpful to do a periodic parasite cleanse-especially if you have pets or animals, recently traveled to a foreign country, or have a chronic illness that seems to linger no matter what you do. Here are some options.
Para-Cleanse: A Pre-Packaged Parasite Cleanse
Para-Cleanse is a convenient and effective parasite cleansing program. It contains Herbal Pumpkin Combination, Paw Paw Cell-Reg, Black Walnut ATC Concentrate and Artemesia Combination. Para-Cleanse can help to remove worms, yeast, bacteria and other parasites from the intestinal tract.
Para-Cleanse is a 10-day program. To use it, take the contents of one packet (6 capsules) 15 minutes before breakfast and 15 minutes before dinner daily for 10 days. Drink one glass (8 ounces) of water with each pack. After consuming one box of Para-Cleanse, wait seven days, then do a second round of the program.
The idea behind this is that the first cleanse removes the parasites and the break in-between allows any eggs to hatch so that the second cleanse removes any newly-hatched parasites. Cleansing for longer than this is not recommended and it is a good idea to follow up with a round of probiotics after the cleanse to help repopulate the friendly intestinal flora. Para-Cleanse is not recommended for children under the age of 12 or for pregnant women or nursing mothers.
You can also use the individual components of Para-Cleanse for specific parasite problems. Several of these remedies can be taken over longer periods of time and are safe for pregnant women, nursing mothers and younger children.
Herbal Pumpkin
This traditional parasite cleansing formula utilizes two gentle antiparasitic remedies: pumpkin seeds and black walnut. This formula helps get rid of worms and has a soothing effect on the digestive tract. It can also be helpful for prostate problems. It is safe for children, pets, pregnant women and nursing mothers. The normal dosage is 2 capsules one to three times per day.
Artemesia Combination
This is a more potent antiparasitic formula because it contains wormwood and mugwort. These powerful antiparasitic herbs are not recommended for children, pregnant women or nursing mothers. Arternesia Combination also contains elecampane, clove buds, garlic, ginger, turmeric root and olive leaf. It can be helpful for nematodes, yeast and bacteria and even for tapeworms when taken in higher doses. The normal dosage is also 2 capsules three times per day. For tapeworms you may have to double the dose.
Yeast/Fungal Detox
This blend is targeted at yeast, but it also helps knock down infectious bacteria and has a mild antiparasitic effect. It makes the intestinal environment less friendly for other parasites. The
ingredients are caprylic acid, sodium propionate, sorbic acid, Echinacea purpurea root, oregano, garlic, pau d' arco, selenium and zinc. Many of these ingredients also build general immunity.
Paw Paw Cell-Reg
This is a standardized extract of acetogenins from the American paw paw tree. Acetogenins are very effective antiparasitic remedies because they destroy the ability of bacteria, viruses, yeast and other organisms to reproduce. They do this by depriving them of the energy they require for replication. The inclusion of Paw Paw Cell-Reg in the Para-Cleanse program is what makes it one of the strongest natural antiparasitic programs in the marketplace. Paw Paw Cell-Reg is also used for cancer. It should be used with with professional supervision with pregnant women, nursing mothers or children under the age of 12.
Black Walnut
Black Walnut is frequently used for parasites, as it is believed to help kill their eggs. Its high iodine content may be part of the reason it is effective against a variety of microbes and parasites. It is one of the best antiparasitic remedies for children and is available in liquid form. Black Walnut is also a good remedy for parasites in pets. It can be safely taken for long periods of time.
Other Anti-Parasitic Remedies
In addition to the Para-Cleanse and its ingredients, here are some other useful antiparasitic remedies.
Gastro Health
This blend contains pau d' arco, cloves, elecampane and licorice, which were tested and proven effective against H pylori bacteria believed to be responsible for ulcers. Gastro Health not only helps ulcerations to heal, it also helps to rid the GI tract of other parasites and bacteria. It encourages the growth of friendly bacteria, which help protect against parasites, too.
Candida Clear
Like the Para-Cleanse, Candida Clear is a pre-packaged program that helps to rid the body of yeast and fungal parasites. It can also be helpful for bacteria and other invaders as well. It contains pau d' arco, Caprylic Acid Combination, Yeast Fungal Detox and special enzymes which are taken between meals. These enzymes are very helpful in getting rid of other parasites besides yeast.
Single Herbs
In addition to black walnut, two orher herbs are very helpful for evicting parasites. Goldenseal is recognized in the Materia Medica of many countries as an effective remedy for giardia. The required dose is high-lO grams per day (about 20 capsules) for ten days.
Activated Charcoal can also be helpful for dealing with diarrhea. Raw garlic is a potent antiparasitic agent and also works on intestinal fungal and bacterial infections. It is used for worms (pinworms, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms), giardia, amoebic dysentery and yeast. A garlic enema is an effective way to get rid of worms. High Potency Garlic can also be used as a suppository.
Other antiparasitic herbs include cloves, pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds and horsetail. Raw almonds (with skins), raw carrots,
raw onions, raw papaya, figs, cucumbers and lemon water are other helpful remedies for parasites, especially in children.
Additional Tips
During any parasite cleansing program, it is helpful to avoid simple sugars, alcohol and caffeine. Enzymes such as High Potency Protease and an herbal laxative like LBS II may also prove helpful in flushing out parasites. Always drink plenty of water, too. Since family members unwittingly share parasites with each other, best results are obtained when all family members do a parasite cleanse at the same time. If you have pets, it may be a good idea for you to do a parasite cleanse for both your pets and your family once or twice a year.
Check out our web site for call for more information. 704-823-1577
http://hcwellnesscenterandspa.com/
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Integrated Approach to Surviving Cancer
Cancer - Find Hope and Healing Using an Integrative Approach
Destroying cancer cells with
chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation or even herbs, is only part of the
solution to cancer. One also has to address what caused the cancer cells to
develop in the first place. Toxicity, low oxygen levels, over acid pH, reduced
immune responses and stress all contribute to the development of cancer. Learn
how to address these other cancer factors for both prevention and cure inside.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Why So Much Gas???
Why So Much Gas???
There are so many reasons that you may be plagued with excessive gas. Here we are going to cover the Physical reasons and later cover some Emotional and Mental reasons.
Number 1 is Inadequate chewing... Proper chewing is necessary to break down carbohydrates and is only present in saliva. The stomach has no teeth so chew until its liquid.
Number 2 Reminds us that eating cold foods stops digestion, including cold drinks. Nothing leaves the stomach until it reaches 98.6 degrees so any food setting in the stomach will start to ferment causing acid reflux or gas and bloating. If you sip warm water or tea before your meal or start out with a hot soup you will aid you digestion and be able to break down your food, especially meats.
Number 3 drinking carbonated beverages-literally drinking gas. Also drinking through a straw will put air into the system and cause gas.
Number 4 Improper food combining. Here are some rules to help understand food combining. This can be very confusing, because of our society today we have too many choices of foods and drinks. Getting back to basics and eating small meals rather than one or two large one's will also help.
- Never eat carbohydrate foods and acid foods at the same meal.
- Never eat a concentrated protein and a concentrated carbohydrate at the same meal.
- Never consume two concentrated proteins at the same meal.
- Do not consume fats with proteins.
- Use fats sparingly.
- Do not eat acid fruits with proteins.
- Do not combine sweet fruits with foods that require a long digestive time-foods such as proteins, starches and acid fruits.
- Eat but one concentrated starch at a meal.
- Acid fruits may be used with sub-acid fruits.
- Sub-acid fruits may be used with sweet fruits.
- Do not combine fruit with any vegetables except lettuce and celery.
- Salads combine very well with proteins or starches.
- Do not consume melons with any other foods.
Number 6 Low HCL levels in the stomach. Remedy this by sipping 1 cup of water with lemon before your meals to raise the HCL naturally.
Number 7 Using antacids like Tums or Rolaids will diminish stomach acid, which will stop the digestive process.
Eat smaller meals, chew well, drink lemon water before meals and slow down to enjoy you food.
I hope this helps with some of the bloating issues and if you have any questions please call! 704-823-1577
Thanks,
Donna
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Oh, My Aching Head!
Fix the Cause
It's back to school season, and with it a resurgence of stress and lurking pathogens so we need to be proactive and protect ourselves and our children.
Our Newsletter this month is about headaches. And we all have them at one time or another. Because there are so many reasons and causes for headaches this is not a "one-size-fits-all" solution.
Click here to read "Types of Headaches" to find out what may be causing your headaches and "Fix the Cause".
Monday, June 4, 2012
How Many Colonics Should You Have?
Over
consumption of meat, dairy, sugar and white flour products along with
heavy exposure to pesticides and other chemicals, has caused our body to
become toxic. Our body’s immune system can no longer handle the heavy
amount of toxins that our food and environment continue to bombard us
with. Thus, colon cancer is on the rise along with a multitude of other
diseases. Our health problems didn’t start overnight. It was a gradual
pollution of our body. So, it stands to reason that detoxing and
cleansing the body cannot be accomplished in one session.
This statement from Dr. Tiller explains the need for several sessions: “From my extensive research and experience, I agree that a series of twelve sessions is necessary. Three the first week, back to back, two the second week, and one a week for the next seven weeks. The reason for that is the human body is exceptionally smart. When we clean out the colon, the body starts pulling waste out of the tissue and putting them into the blood stream. The waste heads for the liver, then back to the colon. Therefore, the second Colon Hydrotherapy session is necessary so that the digested waste is eliminated rather than reabsorbed. The same reason applies to the following two the second week. After the first five, I then recommend one a week for seven weeks. This slows detoxification to a gentler-tolerable rate.” William Tiller, N.D.
We believe that all clients should complete three colonic sessions the first week, preferably back to back, when they first start their cleansing/detoxing program. I have seen remarkable results by clients that continued the program that Dr. Tiller recommended.
Here’s why:
1. The colon is an absorbing organ, when water is infused into the colon it will absorb a portion of the water and hydrate the entire body. All of the body’s organs are hydrated, this is one of the reasons that people who do a number of colonic sessions report a significant improvement in the quality of their skin (the skin being the largest organ).
2. After the first colonic session the colon has a significant amount of water in it. By doing another colonic (the next day) clients report more significant releases. This is primarily because the colon is already hydrated and flushing out impacted matter is easier when it has been softened.
3. Another
important reason for the second colonic is the fact that although one
is releasing toxins from the body some toxins may be reabsorbed
(remember the colon is an absorbing organ). So, what happens is that the
client may report flu-like symptoms the next day, which is elevated
when they get the second and third colonic session back to back. When
the client comes in for the second session the liver will pull toxins
from the blood system and dump them into the colon where the colonic is
readily able to flush them from your system .
I hope this answers the question "How many will I need?" Only you know how toxic you are and how long you have had a toxic colon.
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