(Leukemia and its Fungal Root)

 By David Holland, MD

I recently spoke with a nurse who was diagnosed, as an adult, with leukemia. She endured the chemotherapy regimen her doctors prescribed, only to suffer from a secondary fungal infection during that time. The intensity and duration of the antifungal treatment rivaled that of the chemotherapy. At any rate, she recovered from both afflictions and went back to work.
Later, as a result of another workup — which included a liver biopsy — for some returning symptoms she had, bad news was again brought up. “Your leukemia has returned,” her oncologist told her, and he proceeded to lay out the next line of chemotherapy drugs she would have to take.

Given that her chances of dying were much higher now that her cancer had returned, she opted to get a second opinion on her biopsy before proceeding with her next round of chemotherapy. She took her tissue sample to another hospital, and what she was told there was absolutely stunning: “You don’t have leukemia,” remarked the pathologist, “what you have is a fungal infection!”

The scenario that her doctors figured was that her previous fungal infection had returned — a total possibility. But for this nurse, more questions were raised. She thought, for example, “If they diagnosed my fungal infection as leukemia this time, is it possible that they were wrong the FIRST time? Was my leukemia really a fungal infection to begin with, and was my so-called ‘secondary’ fungal infection I had earlier really a full-blown manifestation of what originally might have looked like leukemia?”

Of course, she would never get answers to these questions, for to fully investigate thoughts like these might imply that a diagnostic error was made on the part of either her initial oncologist or pathologist.

Nevertheless, an intense six months later — some of it spent in the hospital — of high-dose, powerful antifungals finally achieved a cure for her fungal infection. Today, she is again back at work, exuding more than ever with compassion for her patients. It really struck me when she told me where she works, because in her case, her occupation may very well relate to what she had suffered over the past two years. It turns out that she works at a bone-marrow transplant center, and is in daily contact with children with leukemia.

Now, the thought of her “acquiring” something as grave as leukemia would almost be preposterous to some. But the temptation to scratch our heads and wonder about this is unbearable. What if she really did have a fungal infection — and NOT leukemia — her first time around? And if so, did she “catch” this from her precious little patients?

Fungal infections not only can be extremely contagious, but they also go hand in hand with leukemia — every oncologist knows this. And these infections are devastating: once a child who has become a bone marrow transplant recipient gets a “secondary” fungal infection, his chances of living, despite all the antifungals in the world, are only 20%, at best.

And then the unthinkable thought arises: what if all of these children didn’t even have leukemia, but rather a fungal infection, just as this nurse did? If doctors, in the 21st century, could mistake a fungal infection for leukemia in this nurse, could the same fate have fallen upon these children?
Doctors in general are not very good at diagnosing fungal infections because their medical school training is based so heavily on the role of bacteria and viruses in the area of infectious diseases. Fungi have been a forgotten foe ever since the advent of antibiotics. Once we had a drug that could kill bacteria, the interest in and the study of fungi fell to the wayside.
Laboratories display the same difficulty in diagnosing fungal infections: current tests for detecting the presence of fungi are both terribly scant and sorely antiquated.
Despite these training and technical inadequacies, there have been at least a few good reports that implicate the role of fungi in causing leukemia.

For example, in 1999 Meinolf Karthaus, MD, watched three different children with leukemia suddenly go into remission upon receiving a triple antifungal drug cocktail for their “secondary” fungal infections.

Pre-dating that, Mark Bielski stated back in 1997 that leukemia, whether acute or chronic, is intimately associated with the yeast, Candida albicans.

Finally, almost 50 years ago, Dr. J. Walter Wilson, in his textbook of clinical mycology, said that “it has been established that histoplasmosis and such reticuloendothelioses as leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, lymphosarcoma, and sarcoidosis are found to be coexistent much more frequently than is statistically justifiable on the basis of coincidence.”

Histoplasmosis is what we call an “endemic” fungal infection. It is most commonly acquired in regions surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys in the United States. One becomes ill by merely inhaling the tiny fungal spores of this fungus. (For more information on histoplasmosis and other endemic fungi, you can visit: http://www.doctorfungus.org/). Three similar reports like this over the span of 40 years should convince us to at least study the role of fungi in cancers like leukemia a little more thoroughly.

The late Milton White, MD., did exactly this. He fully believed that cancer is a “chronic, intracellular, infectious, biologically induced spore (fungus) transformation disease.” Using the proper isolation techniques (involving saline instead of formaldehyde as a tissue transportation medium between the operating room and the pathology lab), he was able to find fungal spores in every sample of cancer tissue he studied. His lifetime work has been routinely dismissed as nothing more than an unproven postulate.
Regardless, wouldn’t you expect all of this information to make front-page headlines in every newspaper across the country, if not the world? Instead, every one of these findings was merely a brief mention — only curious thoughts that one might entertain but never take seriously.
The fact is, if leukemia and fungal infections “co-exist” so frequently, and if an antifungal drug cocktail effectively cured at least these three children of their leukemia, then I say we put the brakes on right there. Is there a need to go any farther, except to more deeply investigate the need for antifungals in treating leukemia and not just the secondary infections that arise in the course of chemotherapy?

In his book, The Germ that Causes Cancer (http://iknowthecause.com), author and television host Doug Kaufmann asserts that not only fungi, but also foods play a role in the etiology of cancer. He has seen children become free of their documented leukemia once the child’s parents simply changed the child’s diet. Kaufmann’s diet is base on the widely-published problem of mycotoxin contamination of our grain foods.

Grains such as corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, and other foods such as peanuts, are commonly contaminated with cancer-causing fungal poisons, or “mycotoxins.” One of them, called aflatoxin, just happens to be the most carcinogenic substance on earth. If this is indeed a problem, Kaufmann asserts, then cereal for breakfast and soda pop for dinner may not be conducive to a cancer-free lifestyle.

A case in point: in a grain-based diet, we consume, on average, from 0.15mg to 0.5mg of aflatoxin per day. Further, he states, it is not the sugar alone that is the problem in our western diet, but the fungal toxins that are found in the sugary grains. More than once has Kaufmann interviewed a caller (on his health talk show) who absolutely craved peanut butter and popcorn just prior to their diagnosis of cancer.

Fungi are such a nuisance in carbohydrate foods in particular because fungi need carbohydrates to thrive. Therefore, it is rarer to see fungal contamination problems in foods like vegetables and high-protein foods.

Kaufmann goes on further to explain how even antibiotics may play a role in the disease process. Antibiotics destroy the normal, protective gut bacteria, allowing intestinal yeast and fungi to grow unchecked. These internal gut yeast make toxins, too. This can lead to immune suppression, symptoms of any autoimmune disease, or even cancer. “If the onset of any symptom or disease- cancer included- was preceded by a course of antibiotics,” he maintains, “then look for a fungus to be at the root of your problem.”

Doug and I will be talking more about the role of fungi in cancer and other diseases, such as diabetes, in our upcoming seminars. Check out our website (http://iknowthecause.com) to find the location nearest you.

David Holland, MDCo-author, The Fungus Link, Infectious Diabetes.20 May 2003MediaTrition, Inc.

The colon, or large intestine is the end portion of the human digestive tract (food-carrying passageway extending from mouth to anus). The colon is approximately 5 feet long and 2-1/2 inches in diameter.  Its major functions are to eliminate waste, conserve water and reabsorption of electrolytes and minerals.  Also, there are bacteria living in the colon that synthesize valuable nutrients such  as vitamins K and portions of the B complex. 

What is a colonic irrigation?

Also known as a “colonic” “colon lavage”, “colon hydrotherapy” or “high colonic”, a colon irrigation is a safe, effective method for cleansing the colon of waste material by repeated gentle flushing with water

What happens during a colonic irrigation?

During a colonic warm filtered temperature regulated water is gently infused into the colon then released in a series of fills and flushes that generally continue for about 40-45 minutes. This repetitive filling with water not only flushes out the colon, but also stimulates the colon to contract. This contracting is called “peristalsis”. This is the same muscular action that the stool or fecal matter stimulates as it moves down the colon.  Colon hydrotherapy is good for the colon as it ‘retones’ or strengthens the colon muscles.

Are colonics painful?

Rarely.  Painful experiences are the result of resistance and tension. A good professional colon therapist is skilled at putting you at ease and minimizing any discomfort.   Sometimes cramping or gas is experienced when the colon muscles contract, expelling liquid and waste into the rectum. A feeling of urgency to empty the rectum is briefly experienced and as the colon empties, the pressure is relieved.  These times are usually easily tolerated.

 Is it embarrassing to get a colonic? What happens?

Your personal dignity is maintained at all times during a colonic session. Here at Nethersprings you will be in a private room with only your therapist.  Your feelings are honored and acknowledged. If you are new to colon therapy the first appointment will be a little longer in duration. There will be a few forms to fill out and a health questionnaire, and we will spend some time discussing your questions and concerns.  We will explain our FDA approved colon therapy equipment and you will be shown the disposable (one use only) speculum and explained the insertion procedure.  The therapist will assist the client in the insertion, and after this the client will comfortably lay in a resting position on their back with head and shoulders raised. You will be covered at all times.

Warm, filtered, temperature regulated water is gently infused into the colon then released in a series of fills and flushes that generally continue for about 40-45 minutes.  Our colon therapy equipment employs multi-stage water purification systems. It is a ‘closed’ system which means waste is discreetly transported into the drain line without offensive odor and without any compromise of your dignity. After each therapy session, the unit is thoroughly cleansed and disinfected in preparation for future use.
I’ve heard that taking a colonic upsets the electrolyte balance- is this true?

The majority of the material released during a colonic is formed stool that has already had the fluid and electrolytes removed from it.  Any electrolytes lost are very minimal and easily replaced by the body from the food and fluid ingested. 

Will colonics wash out the intestinal flora and valuable nutrients?

The colon is approximately 5 feet long. It is rare in a colon therapy session to wash out all putrified matter and completely reach the end. Good bacteria can only breed in a clean environment that has been cleansed of putrefaction and bad bacteria. Each time you clean out the waste and make a better environment for the flora (good bacteria), they start to multiply immediately. Valuable nutrients can better be absorbed in a clean environment than in a dirty one. It is also a good idea to supplement with a good intestinal bacteria after a colonic or series of colonics so further colonization can take place. 

What is the purpose of getting a colonic?

Waste material which has remained in the colon for some time – ie., impacted feces, dead cellular tissue, accumulated mucus, parasites, worms, etc, pose several problems.

First this material is quite toxic (poisonous). These poisons can re-enter and circulate in the bloodstream making us feel ill, tired or weak.  Second, impacted materials impair the colon’s ability to assimilate minerals and good bacteria.   Finally a buildup of material on the colon wall can inhibit muscular action causing sluggish bowel movements, slow transit time, and constipation. 

How Could I Tell if I have Toxic Material in my colon?

A toxic colon is prevalent in all civilized societies and particularly in America. Common signs may include:  Sinus problems, headaches, backaches, constipation, fatigue, bad breath, body odor, irritability, confusion, skin blemishes, abdominal gas, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, low energy,  bloating, diarrhea, sciatic pain, etc.

Will one colonic completely empty the colon?

Almost never.  First of all, many of us have a considerable amount of impacted feces in our colon. This is hardened, rubbery or wallpaper-like material.  Substantial work must be done to remove it.  Second, there is a subtle learning process involved in receiving colonics. As you become more aware of what is going on in your abdomen, and as your body learns to allow the cleansing experience, you are better able to enter the process, and therefore more material is removed. One colonic will remove some of the stagnant waste in the colon. The second and subsequent colonics will remove more.  How many you may wish to have will depend upon your personal objectives. 

A colonic cleanses the colon

Toxic material is broken down and removed so that it can no longer harm your body or inhibit assimilation and elimination. Even debris built up over a long period is gently but surely removed in the process of a series of irrigations. Once impacted material is removed, your colon can begin again to cooperate as it was meant to.

 A colonic exercises colon muscles

The buildup of toxic debris weakens the colon muscles and impairs its functioning. The gentle filling and emptying of the colon with pure water improves the peristaltic activity (muscular contraction) by which the colon naturally moves material. This will help speed up the transit time of fecal material once the colon muscles have been toned, strengthened and rejuvenated.

A colonic helps reshape the colon

When problem conditions exist in the colon, they tend to alter its shape and structure which in turn causes more health problems.  The gentle action of the water, along with the massage techniques and experience of the colon therapist help to eliminate bulging pockets of waste and eventually narrowed, spastic constrictions, finally enabling the colon to resume its natural state.

A colonic stimulates reflex points

Every system and organ of the body is connected to the colon by reflex points. A colonic irrigation stimulates these points, affecting the corresponding body parts, organs, tissues, glands in a beneficial way (similar to reflexology).

A colonic hydrates the body

Our bodies are made up of 60-70% water and with the use of pure water during the colon irrigation session our bodies are able to absorb much needed clean and pure water to hydrate the cells of the body so that they can function at a higher rate as well as dilute the toxins already present within the body.

 What can I expect afterwards?

Most likely you will feel great.  You may feel lighter and enjoy a sense of well-being. Often a client receiving their first colonic will remark that it was one of the most wonderful experiences of their life. After a colonic, any activity you would normally do is fine.  For some people the colonic may trigger several subsequent bowel movements over the next few hours or days, but rarely ever any uncontrollable urgency or discomfort.

 There are three factors involved in having a well-functioning colon:  diet, exercise; and attitude. All three must be in balance for a colon to function well.  Often, however, because the colon has been sluggish for so long, it has become severely weakened due to being constantly bathed in toxic waste, stretched from holding excessive stool and constricted by chronic tension.

The process of colon irrigation is excellent for cleansing and healing the colon sufficiently so that changes in diet, exercise and attitude are then able to produce beneficial effects.  Many people find that the relief provided by colonics stimulates the motivation and enthusiasm to create positive change in their lifestyle.

Did you know that …

Minerals are as important as, if not more important than, vitamins. Minerals are co-enzymes which help vitamins function. In the absence of minerals, vitamins cannot do their job. Many minerals are referred to as trace minerals, which might make it seem as though they are of little importance, but nothing could be further from the truth. Minerals and their deficiencies have been implicated in a wide range of off-balance health conditions.

Here are some examples:

* An early selenium deficiency shows up as age spots

* Supplementing a diet with sufficient chromium and vanadium can help prevent diabetes and has been seen to reverse diabetes in those already diabetic, as vanadium is reportedly able to replace insulin

* Copper deficiency is implicated with aneurysms (brain, aortic, etc.) Low copper is also implicated in gray hair, skin wrinkles, varicose veins and sagging body parts

* Magnesium is quite possibly the most important mineral for the reduction of coronary heart disease

* Tin deficiency is implicated in male pattern baldness

* Boron helps keep calcium in the bones, helps women preserve and make estrogen, and helps men keep testosterone. Boron affects alertness. Boron can help eliminate arthritis.

* Calcium deficiency is implicated in over 140 different diseases such as, Bell’s palsy, osteoporosis, receding gums, arthritis, hypertension, kidney stones, insomnia, bone spurs, heel spurs, calcium deposits, cramps and twitches, PMS, low back pain, diabetes… and calcium, though implicated in many diseases, is also the most misunderstood and over prescribed supplement. People often don’t need more calcium, they need potassium and magnesium

* Potassium and magnesium (along with organic sodium) are some of the most important minerals for rebalancing the electrical properties of the cell, for eliminating excess acidity, and for helping to balance calcium

* Magnesium helps conduct electrical messages between all the neurons of the body. People get irrational when potassium levels are low

* Zinc is involved in over 200 brain enzyme interactions

* Drinking zinc mixed with distilled water can stop anorexia nervosa within a day

* Zinc deficiency symptoms include loss of taste and smell

* Zinc deficiency in children results in moodiness, depression, irritability. Photo phobia (light sensitivity), antagonism, temper tantrums and learning problems

* Children who do poorly on achievement tests tend to have low iron levels. These children also display disruptive, impulsive and irritable behavior in the classroom. Children who have high lead levels do more poorly overall. Most of these children’s mineral imbalances go undiagnosed. Instead the children are medicated with drugs.

* Likewise, ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder – can often be eliminated by balancing nutritional trace minerals. There is no need to drug our children.

* Cigarette smoke is rich in cadmium (the blue color in the smoke). Cadmium is the most neurotoxic substance known to human beings. A low zinc/high cadmium ratio is implicated in learning disabilities.

* Coffee is a major source of cadmium in the diet. Its in the bean, so decaffeinated doesn’t help.

* Zinc is needed to balance cadmium. The half life of cadmium is 20 to 30 years

* Too much copper is an irritant to the brain

* High manganese levels show statistically high correlation with violent behavior

* Lithium balances and helps control manganese

* The cities of the world with the highest lithium concentration in their water show the lowest homicide rates

* The trace element rubidium cures manic depression

* The right ratio of copper to zinc in the cell acts an an antioxidant

A story is told by Dr. Alex Schauss, a noted author, researcher, and nutritional mineral expert. It is about his experience with a 9 year old boy brought into his clinic some years ago. The boy had been charged with attempted murder. His criminal record began at age 6. He burned animals, shot at people’s houses and beat up mothers pushing baby strollers. The police all said he would be a lifetime criminal, a Charles Manson type of psychotic. He was on six psychiatric drugs, and was kicked out of school after he tried to kill a 10 year old girl. Dr. Schauss did a hair mineral analysis and discovered his copper levels were off the charts. He added supplemental zinc to the boy’s diet to chelate out the excess copper, and within two weeks the boys urinalysis showed all the excess copper had been eliminated. He went off all medication, returned to school and became a model student. Years later the boy returned to see Dr. Schauss. He was a junior in college, an A student, on the varsity basketball team, and had a heart of gold.

This information shows just a teeny fraction of how minerals and mineral imbalances can affect your health. Much of this information is buried in professional journals, there for the taking. It appears that due to politics and the influence and strength that the medical/drug industrial complex has over the suppression of information, these things stay buried.

If this type of information, along with the other things we know, could be assimilated into our society, whether through the efforts of individuals or that of government, and if people like doctors, psychiatrists, and dieticians were to act on it, we could lessen violence in our society, close jails, raise academic achievement, and greatly reduce outlays of public money for Medicare and Medicaid. We could see our health insurance premiums drop to about $50 a month for a family of four because we could eliminate our need for expensive hospital visits and treatments excepting emergency care for accidents.

Without a doubt, the single most important thing you can do for your health is to get your mineral house in order. There are 19 major and minor minerals in the blood stream and when those balances start to sway – too much of one, not enough of another and visa versa, things start to happen. Remember, it is minerals that give you electricity – too much can give you problems, too little can give you problems.

by David Holland, MD

(Dr. Dave Holland is the co-author, with Doug Kaufmann, of the new book, “The Fungus Link, Volume 2”). Inside this follow-up to their book “The Fungus Link,” you’ll not only learn about the dangers of antibiotics. You’ll also learn about the ins and outs of natural and prescriptive antifungals. Additionally, Doug and Dave share with you the role fungi and their mycotoxins play in what are unfortunately everyday diseases such as prostatitis, ear-nose-throat disorders, weight problems (including obesity and anorexia), autoimmune diseases, hormonal disorders, neurologic diseases, hair loss, and eye problems.

To order either of these books, call 972-772-0990, M-F 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central, or go to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, one of several non-profit organizations dealing with Multiple Sclerosis.

(MS) research funding and patient assistance, raised almost $74 million dollars in the fiscal year 2001. It spent $64 million, of which $54.8 million went toward program expenses, and $6.6 million was directed at fundraising efforts. Two million goes toward administrative costs. The CEO alone makes over $300,000.

Still, in the 57 years of the society’s existence, no cause for MS has been assigned. I use the word “assigned” and not “found,” because I believe a cause has already been found. In our book, “The Fungus Link, Volume 2,” Doug Kaufmann and I discuss the role of fungal toxins, called mycotoxins, in the etiology of MS. The evidence brought forth by various scientists over the years and compiled in a small section of this book is quite compelling. It is so compelling that, at this point, I believe scientists will be forced into a position of proving that mycotoxins are NOT the cause of MS, a task at which, I believe, they shall not succeed.

MS is characterized by destruction of the protective sheath- called the myelin sheath- around nerves in the brain and the spinal cord. As a result, the transmission of nerve impulses to other nerves, muscles, and vital organs is interrupted. This impaired nerve function translates into symptoms such as difficulty in walking, abnormal, “pins and needles” sensations throughout the body; pain and loss of vision due to inflammation of the optic nerve, tremors, incoordination, paralysis, and impaired thinking and memory. In addition, muscle wasting, bladder dysfunction, fatigue, osteoporosis, and a host of other problems may develop either directly or indirectly due to this nerve damage.

Although there is a genetic predisposition toward MS, as proven in studies of twins, only a third of those that are genetically susceptible will get MS, indicating there is still an outside factor involved. MS is more common in those born and raised above the 37th parallel (a line extending from Newport News, VA to Santa Cruz, CA); however, if a person moves to an area of low risk (i.e. below the 40th parallel) prior to adolescence, they assume the lower risk of their new location. These last points support the idea of an environmental exposure link to the disease.

If outside causes are to blame, then Oppenheim, an early 1900’s researcher, was the closest in his assertion that MS is caused by an environmental toxin. Other researchers of his day thought that there was a defect in the blood vessels or in the glial tissues. Pierre Marie, in the late 1800’s, felt that MS was caused by an infectious agent. However, despite all of the “infection” theories that have been tested over the past 150 plus years, not one- whether bacteria, virus, Chlamydia or scrapie-like agent- has proven to be the culprit.

So, lets apply what we already know about MS and see if we truly know the cause of MS or not. Mycotoxins are chemicals made by fungi. They are found in grains that have been contaminated with fungi and mold. Some mycotoxins are used for medicinal purposes. Antibiotics, such as penicillin and the cephalosporin drugs, are fungal metabolites- they are mycotoxins. Alcohol is a mycotoxin. Aflatoxin, the most carcinogenic substance on earth, is a mycotoxin. The most commonly contaminated crops are peanuts, corn, and wheat.

Often, other foods such as barley, apples, sorghum and rye can be contaminated as well. Some mycotoxins are produced in our body by the yeast in our intestines or vaginal tract. In one study, 3 women severely symptomatic for vaginal candidiasis were found to have vaginal fluid samples with significant levels of a mycotoxin called gliotoxin. From our environment, we can be exposed to mycotoxins through countless routes: ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, etc. The question is, once inside the body, can these mycotoxins damage nerves? Let’s answer that question now.

We already know that, in MS, there is a loss of molecules called sphingolipids from the white matter in the central nervous system. What is not well known is the fact that mycotoxins can actually disrupt sphingolipid biosynthesis. Specifically, gliotoxin, as we mentioned above, on a slightly larger scale can induce nerve cell death (apoptosis).

Gliotoxin is a heat stable chemical made by Aspergillus, Candida, and other species of fungi. Not coincidentally, scientists have recovered a heat stable toxin from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients. In this particular study, they took the CSF from MS patients, heat-treated it to destroy any infectious germs, and then exposed it to nerve cells in a laboratory culture. What happened? The nerve cells died! They called this heat-stable toxin “gliotoxin.”

The source of gliotoxin appears to be, again, primarily from the yeast and fungi within the human body. As such, gliotoxin is less important as an agricultural scourge than are other mycotoxins such as fumonisins, made by Fusarium and Aspergillus fungi, and the penetrim D toxin made by Penicillium crustosum. Fumonisins are a group of mycotoxins that happen to be neurotoxic as well as carcinogenic. They are “universally present in corn and corn-based products.”. Penitrem mycotoxins are found in things such as moldy apple products. Penetrem D can cause tremors, convulsions, limb weakness, and ataxis (unsteady gait), “not unlike the symptoms observed in MS.”

As there are different classes of MS (chronic progressive, relapsing-remitting, etc.) it may very well be that the different classes are being caused by different classes of mycotoxins. In addition, the regional differences in the prevalence of MS might be explained by the particular agricultural products that dominate the most affected areas. For example, the part of America that lies above the 37th parallel also happens to encompass the cornbelt. Remember that corn is universally contaminated with mycotoxins. This area is also represented by much of the wheat belt. Is this just a coincidence, or good evidence of an environmental exposure risk factor?
Let’s talk about some of the latest treatments for MS. Dr. Mercola has already stated in a previous article that most MS drugs are a waste of money. The new buzz on the town, however, is that statin drugs (cholesterol-lowering drugs) have proven effective in slowing the progression of MS. Their effectiveness should not surprise us, in light of the fungal/mycotoxin theory, when we also learn that statin drugs are antifungal.

Dr. Mercola has also mentioned in previous articles that Vitamin D as well as plain old sunlight can reduce mortality from and positively influence the immune system in MS. Other researchers have explained that the reason why these work is, once again, Vitamin D, whether taken in the form of a cod liver oil supplement or made naturally by our body from sunlight exposure, is anti-mycotoxin.

Finally, let’s talk about diet again. Last year a German researcher claimed that eating smoked sausage in childhood was responsible for causing multiple sclerosis later in life. Dr. A.V. Costantini, retired head of the World Health Organization’s collaborating center for mycotoxins in food, helps us out here by explaining that smoked and aged meats are often contaminated with mycotoxins. Thus the cause of MS, according to these and other researchers, is right in our food.

In another of Dr. Mercola’s articles, he talked about how starving mice with an MS-like condition resulted in fewer symptoms and decreased progression of the illness. Why does starvation work? In our humbled opinion, it could be as simple as: the fewer foods taken in, the fewer mycotoxins that enter the body. You see, if we are following the standard, food pyramid, grain based American diet, we are consuming on average from 0.15 to 0.5mg of aflatoxin per day. Aflatoxin is the only regulated mycotoxin in America, so what level of exposure we have to the other, known mycotoxins in our diet that we’ve discussed is a guess, at best. So starvation diets not only deprive us of calories. They also “deprive” us of disease-causing, carcinogenic mycotoxins.

If indeed mycotoxins cause MS, then there are a number of steps one must take to minimize exposure to fungi and their mycotoxins. We just finished talking about diet. Since mycotoxins are commonly found in grain foods, then it would be wise to minimize grains in our diet. Doug Kaufmann outlines his Initial Phase diet in our book, The Fungus Link, Volume 2. As well, Dr. Mercola has published his book, which offers equally valuable information.

Secondly, we should minimize our exposure to antibiotics. Antibiotics are, for the most part, derived from fungi and are therefore classified as mycotoxins. If we’ve taken lots of antibiotics in the past, we should attempt to correct the damage done by these by taking a good probiotic supplement. Lastly, if we have any obvious signs of fungal infection in our body, and to us, simply having MS might qualify as an obvious sign, it might behoove us to take natural or prescriptive antifungals for a period of time. Remember that gliotoxin can be made by fungi and yeast that are already in the body, not necessarily by fungi that reside in contaminated foods.

Doug and I hope that we’ve given you some insight to this “mysterious” disease of MS. It seems, according to the research we’ve pointed to, that the cause for this disease is right before our eyes. Now, we just need to apply this knowledge. Future research should be directed at treating the disease as if it were caused by fungi and their devastating mycotoxins.

Health problems arise when, because of a variety of causes, the body’s defense capability becomes deficient or weakens. When this happens, the controls that usually keep Candida in check are removed, and the yeast can spread to areas that are normally out of bounds.   A combination of factors can cause the disruption in the normal balance of yeast-fungus and beneficial bacteria, some of which are: Drug therapy – especially antibiotics and corticosteroids (immunosuppressant types of drugs); a diet high in sugar/starch including fruits, breads/pasta and breakfast cereal, alcoholic beverages, and other food items with yeast as an ingredient; oral contraceptive hormones; stress/exhaustion and mold in the environment.

The fact that Candida causes different reactions in the people it affects and can be related to other conditions, such as allergies, depression, and chemical sensitivities is a major reason that Candida Related Complex has not been accepted by much of the medical community.  Looking at one’s medical history, utilizing a yeast/fungal questionnaire listing symptoms, changing the diet – depriving the source of its growth, and taking natural antifungals will reveal very quickly any fungal involvement. This is one of the very few instances in which the treatment is the main means of diagnosis.  

What are some of the symptoms?  Candida can affect all 9 systems of the body: digestive, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, reproductive, urinary, endocrine and musculoskeletal. The toxins secreted by Candida affect each system and each system affects the others. The person suffering from this condition usually experiences a combination of fatigue, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression and headaches; combined with poor dietary habits, chronic stress and little or no tolerance for exercise. Abdominal bloating is a frequent problem and is linked to the types of food ingested – those high in sugar/starch and beer and wine. Often this person has a history of treatment with drugs for recurrent infections like sinusitis, earaches, urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, bronchitis, etc.  

I have developed a three-part approach with which I have seen very good results. 

1.   Part I is diet and lifestyle changes. This many times does include the removal of all grains (source of starch/sugar) from the diet for a time. Many people are also intolerant to the gluten and mycotoxic mold found in nuts, grains and seeds.  Lifestyle changes can include looking at stress-laden relationships or employment, increasing exercise, learning proper breathing, dry-skin brushing, castor oil packs, etc.;

2.   Part II is a fiber/antifungal mix recipe. This mix will thicken intestinally and move through the small intestine and colon as a broom. Natural antifungals in this mix must be rotated regularly to keep fungus from surviving by moving to other strains;

3.   Part III is regular colon cleansing along with the above two steps, followed further down the road by liver cleansing.

I have also greatly appreciated and utilized oxygen/ozone therapy to invigorate the body, and lift the immune system, while the above 3-part program is utilized.  Further detoxification by opening the pores using a medical grade ozone sauna will invigorate the blood and lymph system, and hastens recovery. 

Candida has become a ‘buzz word’ in our natural health workshops and programs, but very few truly understand its tenacity and will to live at all costs.  The immune system is key to recovery, but it is also the system most destroyed by the 72+ paralyzing toxins given off by a fungal infection in the body.  The taking of many herbs or supplements when the systems are already overwhelmed usually lands the sufferer in their bed, or in more despair.  Fungal/yeast conditions are opportunist in the sense that they only arrive and proliferate when things are already broken down.  Fungal infestation is not the bad guy…. But the terrain that allowed the condition to exist in the first place. 
  Wendy McPhail, CT, CCN

The use of colon therapy for the purpose of restoring health can be dated back many centuries.  Despite considerable research in the early 1900’s documenting its therapeutic effectiveness, it continues to be a highly controversial and often misunderstood form of therapy.  Advances in medical technology have put bowel management in the background which has brought a loss of awareness of the importance of the bowel in relation to disease.

The goals of colon therapy are four-fold:  to bring about efficient elimination of waste; to restore tissue and organ function; to rebalance overall body chemistry; and to teach the client to be responsible for their own health.

Proper colon therapy should consist of cleansing and building.  It is crucial to have a therapist who is extremely knowledgeable and is prepared to support and guide you through the program of health recovery. The object of this rejuvenation program is not an attempt to make you merely ‘feel better’.  It is intended to rid the body of the disease-causing environment, which in turn brings about a higher level of health and awareness. 

For over 4000 years attention has been given to the colon for the restoration of health and treatment of disease. Colonic irrigations and enemas are some of the oldest health care practices. The discovery of implements for giving enemas and records of their use are recorded in Egyptian artifacts and relics. Hippocrates and Galen both used and taught the use of enemas as a part of their health care systems.

Cleansing of the colon by enemas, colonics and fasting has not only been performed for purely physical reasons. Internal cleansing has been utilized for religious and spiritual rites and experiences. Cleansing the body of debris was essential to membership and participation in many religious orders.  It was thought that to attain spiritual awakening and purity one must attain physical purity first.  In ancient Egypt, India, Persia and Israel the priests were also the ones who administered enemas.

Most of us live in a state of spiritual amnesia.  We allow our physical senses to rule our existence and let them destroy the real pleasures of life.  We cannot lead a disorderly, careless, chaotic life and expect to have mental coordination and a body filled with vital health and spiritual awareness.  We cannot get something for nothing. We must learn moderation, balance and rhythm, for we cannot expect to have complete happiness or satisfaction without balance.  To help restore that balance, we must cleanse before attempting to build.

Wendy McPhail, CT, CCN, Nethersprings Colon Therapy

It has been estimated that the average American colon carries five pounds of putrid, partially-digested meat, and another five to ten pounds of toxic fecal matter that has been packed with mucus for years to form a hard lining in deformed folds of the colon.

Constipation is the number one problem underlying nearly every ailment:  it can be imputed to be the initial, primary cause of nearly every disturbance of the human system.

Over a period of time, constipation interferes with the functioning of every cell, organ and gland in the body. The blood stream and lymphatic system becomes overloaded with toxins, sending poisons throughout the entire body, and clogging much of the system with disease-causing mucus. This pathogenic mucus is ideal for propagation of germs and parasites. It is at this stage that our immune system comes under attack. If our colon and the rest of our body is free from excessive pathogenic mucus and other putrefactive waste matter, harmful germs, bacteria and parasites will not flourish and cause problems, because there will be insufficient food for these scavengers to survive on.

There are about 300 different types of parasites thriving in America today, and more than 80% of people in the world are infested. Parasites are vermin that steal your food, drink your blood and leave their excrement in your body to be reabsorbed back into the blood-stream as nourishment.

Today, with modern technological improvements in colon hydrotherapy instrumentation (particularly with regard to safety and hygiene), along with trained therapists, colon hydrotherapy has become a valuable modality in treating disease and promoting wellness. Colon hydrotherapy is an extended and more complete form of cell and tissue cleansing.  The safe, gentle infusion of temperature and pressure regulated water is designed to cleanse the entire large intestine (bowel) from rectum to cecum. This cleansing procedure removes feces, retained gas and mucus, as well as existing parasites and infectious material. Also, the filtered water bathes the cells of the colon and dilutes bacterial toxin concentrations.  This results in improved tone and peristalsis, promoting optimal absorption of nutrients from the cecum and ascending colon.  The result is optimal colon health.  Colon hydrotherapy is not proposed as a cure-all, but an important adjunctive approach in overall health care.

Best of Health!

Wendy McPhail, CT, CCN

Artificially induced hyperthermia (rising body temperature results in the destruction of bacteria and viruses) combined with heavy sweating and a cleansing effect initiated by ozone will result in elimination of toxins accumulated mainly in the lymphatic system relieving the liver from the difficult task of dealing with them. Through the centuries, men and women have used steam to purify the skin, soothe sore muscles, boost circulation and to simply relax. The combined action of moist heat and ozone cleanse the lymphatic system, which carries 90% of the body’s fluids. Ozone brings oxygen to the tissues for enhanced health and vitality. The combination of steam and ozone is a natural, effective way to promote a refreshing sense of well-being. We believe that an Ozone/Steam Sauna cabinet represents a pleasant and easy to follow form of body cleansing.

Benefits of ozone sauna:

Relaxes and loosens muscles by reducing the buildup of lactic acid and increasing muscle flexibility.

Oxidizes toxins so they can be eliminated through the skin, lungs, kidneys and colon. Boosts blood circulation, helping injured muscles to repair quicker.

Stimulates vasodilatation of peripheral blood vessels relieving pain and speeding the healing process.

Eliminates bacterial and viral infections of all kinds.

Speeds up the metabolic processes of the inner organs and endocrine glands resulting in a loss of 200-450 calories in a 20 minute session.

Newest research shows steam hyperthermia an effective treatment for:

* Detoxification programs
* Immune system deficiencies
* Pain management
* Cancer
* Arthritis
* Stress and muscle tension
* Increasing body metabolism
* Elimination of toxins
* Blood circulation

STEAM & SAUNA BATHING OFFERS MULTIPLE REJUVENATING & HEALING BENEFITS
Written by The International Steam Therapy Association

Part 1

Most people laugh when they hear that the Finnish Olympic team lugs a portable sauna with them wherever they go. However, the fair-haired Nordic athletes might be doing more than simply acting out a home-sick longing for the slender birch trees and island dotted lakes of the homeland. They could be on to a secret, non-drug-induced means of giving themselves an edge in the fierce competition of modern-day Olympics. Although most people simply consider it a pleasant means of relaxation, sweat therapy might in fact have powerful heath-enhancing effects.

In the test of time is any measure, steam bathing has certainly withstood it. For thousands of years people of all cultures have indulged in the soothing warmth of sweat baths. The Romans are well-known for their elaborate baths. The wealthy of 200 B.C. India did not consider their mansion complete unless it included a bathhouse with a steam room. The Muslim Hamman, or bathhouse, with its domed, central steam chamber is stall an integral part of life in Muslim countries. A derivation of the Hamman, the Turkish bath, has been popular in Europe for centuries.

Today, steam and sauna facilities are an integral part of the hydrotherapeutic offerings at European and American spas, and steam rooms and saunas are a common feature of health clubs and public pools. Yet, there is surprisingly little awareness of the wide ranging benefits of steam and sauna bathing. There is evidence that these sweat-inducing treatments stimulate the immune system, improve circulation, and help the body to purge itself of impurities.

Hippocrates, the founder of Western medicine more than two-thousand years ago said, “Give me the power to create a fever, and I shall cure any disease.” Although often misunderstood as a symptom of disease, fever actually is a part of the body’s natural healing response. Steam baths, sauna, and other heat-inducing treatments elicit similar healing responses in the body, and consequently are often called “artificial fevers”. During a fever, the functioning of the immune system is stimulated, while the growth of bacteria and virus is forced to slow down. The production of white blood cells, the primary agents of the immune system, is increased, as is the rate of their release into the blood stream. The generation of antibodies speeds up, as does the production of interferon, an anti viral protein that also has powerful cancer-fighting properties.

Apart from stimulating the immune system, fever slows down the proliferation of invading organisms by creating an inhospitable environment. At 104 degrees F., for example, the growth rate of the polio virus is reduced up to 250 times; at 106 degrees pneumococcus, a bacterium responsible for pneumonia, dies.

Part 2

Before the advent of antibiotics, syphilitics were often infected with malaria to prevent the spread of the disease. In addition, there is evidence that the frequent fevers of malaria might function as a cancer-protecting factor. Dr. Paavo Airola in his book, Worldwide Secrets of Staying Young relates the story of the Pontine swamps near Rome in Italy, which, until a few decades ago, were a breeding ground for malaria-carrying mosquitoes. The swamps were dried out, and the malaria disappeared. However, during the next decades, that area, which had before been almost free of cancer, saw an increase in cancerous diseases. After a generation, the cancer incidence level of that area had reached the level of the rest of Italy.

Malignant cells are selectively destroyed at temperatures of 106 to 110 degrees F., so the frequent fever attacks of people in the malaria-infected area might have mobilized the body’s own defenses too frequently for a cancer to take hold.

Although the artificial fever induced by sweat therapy does not have the comprehensive effect of real fever, it still produces a striking effect on a number of bodily processes.

There is evidence that artificial fever works as an immune system stimulant by increasing the number of white blood cells in the body. In a 1959-review of studies on the effects of heat treatments, Mayo Clinic researcher Dr. Wakim and colleagues cite findings indicating that the number of white blood cells in the blood increased by an average of 58% during artificially induced fever. Researchers also have found increases in the activity of the white blood cells during induced fever.

In addition, as in the case of bodily induced fever, the raised temperature during the artificial fever reduces the growth rate of most bacteria and viruses, giving the immune system time to mobilize its own forces. Indeed, many regular steam or sauna bathers have experienced that a good, long sweat bath at the early onset of a cold or flu can help ward off the disease before in manifests as actual symptoms.

Apart from the immune system-stimulating effects of sweat therapy, many thought it as one of the most effective and painless detoxifying treatments available.

Dr. Veronica Butler, medical co-director at the Raj, a health center based on principles of Ayurveda, recommends herbalized steam baths, called swedenas, to clients as part of the ancient Ayurvedic purification treatment, known as panchakarma.

According to the classical Ayurvedic texts, for maximum results, a swedena or steam bath should be given while keeping the head cool and the client supine.

“A swedena clears the shrotas, the channels through which the biological intelligence flows,” says Dr. Butler. “If impurities clog these channels, the flow of intelligence in the body becomes more susceptible to disease.”

Part 3

Heat speeds up the chemical processes in the body, making steam and sauna bathing one of the simplest and most comfortable ways to rid the body of accumulated toxins. As the pores open up and the million of sweat glands start to excrete, the body rids itself of metabolic and other waste products. Sweat contains almost the same elements as urine, and for this reason, the skin is sometimes called the third kidney. It is estimated that as much as 30% of bodily wastes are eliminated by way of perspiration.

However, more than common metabolic waste products are secreted through the skin. Natural health practitioners often notice that when heavy smokers get a steam bath for a body wrap (where the body ‘simmers’ for up to 45 min. Under hot covers), they will leave a yellow residue on the towels. Reino Tarkianinen, President of Finlandia Sauna, reports that when the company replaces sauna benches from public baths, a thick, black layer of accumulated tar can be found underneath the benches.

In Finland, research is being done on the use of sweat therapy in the treatment of people who are chemically affected. The purifying effects of perspiration could also be behind claims that steam and sauna treatments can help cur or control such ailments as acne and arthritis.

Last but not least, steam and sauna bathing produces powerful therapeutic effects simply by increasing circulation. As the carrier of the rebuilding forces of the nutrients to all parts of the body, the bloodstream plays a crucial role in the maintenance of health.

Steam and sauna treatments have a stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system. The pulse rate increases from 75 beats per minute to between 100-150 beats per minute during a 15-20 minute treatment. This increases blood circulation, but not blood pressure, since the heat also causes the tiny blood vessel in the skin to expand, accommodating the increased blood flow. The dilation of the capillary vessels enables the bloodstream to carry great amounts of nutrients to the skin, enhancing the nutritive status of the skin. The flushed, youthful look that steam and sauna bathers maintain for up to several hours after treatment is due to this effect.

WHICH IS THE BEST WAY OF TAKING A STEAM OR SAUNA TREATMENT?

First of all, it is good to be aware of the distinction between the two. Most people think of the heat of a sauna as dry heat and the heat of a steam room as wet, humid heat. This distinction is only partially correct. Sauna bathers in Finland splash water on the heated stones in the sauna, raising the humidity level to as much as 40%. Without that, the hot, dry sauna air can irritate the mucus membranes.

Part 4

In the hydrotherapeutic tradition used at European and America spas, sweat therapy is used in preparation for massage as a means of increasing the suppleness of the muscles and creating a deep sense of relaxation in body and mind. In the Ayurvedic tradition of India, which has gained popularity in the U.S. in recent years, steam treatments are part of the traditional purification treatment panchakarma, where they are used after massage to help the body get rid of toxins dislodged during the treatment.

Sweat treatments can also be enjoyed on their own, as a workout for the cardiovascular system, a deep-cleansing treat for the body, an immune system booster, and a soothing and invigorating refreshment for the mind.

There are a few precautions to keep in mind. Because of the increase in cardiovascular activity caused by the high heat, sweat therapy is not recommended for people with heart disease or other cardiovascular problems. Individuals with high blood pressure should first consult their doctor.

In addition, the treatment is not advised for pregnant women, small children, or the elderly. Do not take a sweat treatment if you have a fever or an open wound. If you have been working out, be sure that your body has had time to cool down before exposing it to the heat of a sweat bath.

Limit treatment time to 10 to 15 minutes. Drink plenty of water of herbal tea before and after the sweat bath to replace fluids lost during the treatment. The sweat glands can secrete up to 30 grams of sweat per minute, or almost one pint per 15 minutes, so dehydration is a very real possibility, if you are not careful. Fatigue and other indications of dehydration can occur with as little as 1 to 2% loss in body weight.

The main thing to keep in mind is to enjoy the process. Do not push your body beyond its comfort level; the point is not to sweat it out the longest, but to allow your mind and body to luxuriate in this health-enhancing and invigorating miniature spa treatment.

Working up a sweat is one of our oldest folk remedies. “Give me an opportunity to create fever and I will cure any illness,” said the Greek physician Paramenides two thousand years ago. Today, besides creating a relaxing sense of well-being, relaxes and loosens muscles tissue, reducing daily buildup of tension and increasing muscle flexibility:

-boosts blood circulation, which helps aching and injured muscles to recover faster, because the stronger the flow of blood, the faster metabolic waste products are carried off.

-stimulates vasodilatation of peripheral blood vessels, which relives pain and speeds healing of sprains and strains;

-speeds up the metabolic processes of vital organs and endocrine glands resulting in a calorie loss of between 200 and 450 in a 20 minute session.

Part 5

According to Michael Marino, research associate at Lennox Hill Hospital’s Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma in New York City:

“….. heat exposure stimulates the hypothalamus, the gland that normally maintains and stabilizes body temperature to dissipate the excess heat. Heart rate increases as more blood flow is diverted from the inner organs towards the extremities of the skin. This automatic “cooling” reaction is actually a form of beneficial stress, a passive kind of cardiovascular exercise that helps to keep the body’s system alert and functioning well.”

The beneficial stress of heat on the heart is confirmed by physical fitness expert Bernard Gutin, Professor of Applied Physiology and Education at Teacher’s College, Columbia University:

“Heat acts as a form of mostly beneficial stress on the body that produces physiological changes in heightened blood pressure, stepped-up heart rate and an increase in stress hormones.”

According to Dr. Paavo Aviola, an author in health matters:

“The sauna increases the eliminative, detoxifying and cleansing capacity of the skin by stimulation of sweat glands. A steam bath provides a mild cleansing process for the skin as certain body fluids are released through the skin. It also promotes healthy skin tone and texture due to increased blood circulation.”

If I were asked, “What is the first major cause of most illness?”, I would have to say incomplete digestion. If your food does not break down through the enzymes provided by fresh and raw food in your body, then putrefaction (rotting and decay) will take place. The result? Your body absorbs its own toxic waste before it can be eliminated.

Have you ever tried doing two things at once? I know I have, and still do, and if you are anything like me these tasks are usually rushed and incomplete. The same applies to your digestive process. If you combine the wrong foods together in a single meal, your body is required to process incompatible food substances at the same time. This results in “incomplete digestion”, discomfort, and putrefaction. Eating your meals as if they were a smorgasbord can only lead to disaster.

Food breaks down in the body with the aid of enzymes or bacteria. Enzyme breakdown is the natural course, while bacterial breakdown is quite destructive. Bacterial breakdown creates toxic gases which manifest in the body as bloating, burping, flatulence, candida, fatigue, headaches, constipation, diarrhea, low back pain, and so on. Your digestive tract will either be your highway to health, or to pain and suffering. You choose the road you want to take.

We have been educated via media advertising to compromise our health for the heavenly tastes in the mouth with no concern for the following thirty feet of discomfort and/or pain that follows in our intestinal tract. Let’s take a look at the concept of logical eating known as Food Combining.

THE REASON FOR PROPER FOOD COMBINING? – To make digestion easier and more efficient!

If you are going to eat more than one food at a meal, you can greatly improve digestion (and avoid indigestion) by eating foods that require the same gastric juices for digestion and are compatible.

Proper combining leads to good digestion and to better health

“THE SIMPLER THE MEAL THE BETTER YOU FEEL.”

PROTEINS

Protein foods are those that contain a high percentage of protein in their makeup. Protein foods require an ACID DIGESTIVE ENVIRONMENT. Chief among these are the following:

Nuts, Seeds
All flesh foods* (except fat)
Dry Beans
Dry Peas (combined as starches)
Eggs*
Cheese* and other dairy products*
Soy Beans
Peanuts
Margarine*
Chicken/Fish/Red Meat – AVOID PORK
Olives
Avocados

* These substances are not recommended, but included for clarity.

CARBOHYDRATES

The carbohydrates are the starches and sugars. These we break up into three distinct classifications: Starches, Sugars, and Sweet Fruits . . . all require an ALKALINE DIGESTIVE ENVIRONMENT.

STARCHES:

All Cereals
Dry Beans (except soy beans)
Dry Peas
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Yams
Chestnuts
Squash
Corn
Coconut**

SWEET FRUITS:
Prunes
Persimmons
Dried Fruits
Bananas
Dates
Figs
Raisins

SUGARS:

Pure Honey*
Pure Maple Syrup*

MILDLY STARCHY:

Carrots
Artichokes
Rutabaga
Parsnips
Beets

* These foods are not recommended.** Coconuts are a starch/protein combination and also a saturated fat.

GENERAL FOOD COMBINING GUIDELINES

Avoid eating carbohydrates with acid fruits – This combination may neutralize your enzymes causing your food to putrefy.

Avoid eating concentrated proteins with concentrated carbohydrates – Remember the pizza? How it made you feel? Especially when you were tired?

Do not consume two concentrated proteins at the same meal – Two concentrated proteins of different character and composition (such as nuts and cheese) should not be combined. Gastric acidity, type, strength, and timing of secretions for various proteins is not uniform. Since concentrated protein is more difficult to digest than other food elements, incompatible combinations of two different concentrated proteins should be avoided.

Do not consume fats with proteins – Our need for concentrated fat is small and most protein foods already contain a good deal of fat. Fat has an inhibiting effect on digestive secretions and lessens the amount and activity of pepsin and hydrochloric acid necessary for the digestion of protein. Fat may lower the entire digestive tone more than 50%.

Use fats sparingly – Fats inhibit the secretion of gastric juice. Except with avocado, fats used with starch delay the passage of the starch from the stomach into the intestine. When fats such as avocados or nuts are eaten with raw green vegetables, their inhibiting effect on gastric secretion is counteracted and digestion proceeds normally.

AVOCADOS: Though not a high protein food, avocados contain more protein than milk. They are high in fat and the small percentage of protein they contain is of high biological value. They are best used with a salad meal. Eating avocados with salad enhances their digestability. The next best combination for avocado is to take it with subacid or acid fruit. It is even better when lettuce leaves and celery are eaten with the fruit and the avocado. Since the avocado is low in protein, it may also be used with potatoes or other starch foods, provided a green salad is included in the meal. Avocados should never be used with nuts, which are also high in fat. Fats other than nuts and avocados are not recommended for regular use.

Do not eat acid fruits with proteins – Citrus, tomatoes, pineapple, strawberries, and other acid fruits should not be eaten with nuts, cheese, eggs or meat. If you are ill, avoid acid fruits especially in juice form – but lemons and limes are always a great addition due to their enzyme content.

Do not combine sweet fruits with proteins, starches, or acid fruits – The sugars in sweet fruit should be free to leave the stomach within twenty minutes, and are apt to ferment if digestion is delayed by mixing with other foods. Sugar-starch combinations cause additional problems. When sugar is taken the mouth quickly fills with saliva, but no ptyalin is present. Ptyalin is essential for starch digestion. If starch is disguised by sugar, honey, molasses, or sweet fruit, digestion is impaired. Fermentation is inevitable if sugars of any kind are delayed in the stomach by the digestion of starch, protein, or acid fruit. Sugar also has a marked inhibiting effect on the flow of gastric juices.

Eat only one concentrated starch at a meal – This rule is more important as a means of avoiding overeating starches than avoiding a bad combination. Slightly starchy vegetables may be combined with more starchy vegetables such as carrots and potatoes, but not with combination foods such as grains and legumes.

Acid fruits may be used with subacid fruits – This combination is best made with less sweet subacid fruits. Never use acid fruits with sweet fruits. Tomatoes should not be combined with subacid fruit nor with any other kind of fruit. They are best combined with a salad meal at which no starches are served.

Subacid fruits may be used with sweet fruits – It is best to use the sweeter varieties of subacid fruits when making this combination. For people with poor digestion, bananas are best eaten alone. For others, bananas combine fairly well with dates, raisins, grapes, and other sweet fruit, and with green leafy vegetables such as lettuce and celery. Dried sweet fruits should be used sparingly, because the sugar concentration is naturally greater. It is best to have these fruits at a fruit meal combined with a salad of lettuce and celery.

Combine fruit only with lettuce and celery – These uncooked vegetables with a fruit meal may even enhance digestion of the fruit.

Salads combine very well with proteins or starches – Non starchy vegetables may be combined with proteins or starch. The green leafy vegetables combine very well with most other foods, and should form the major part of one’s daily diet. Through the week, use as wide a variety of vegetables as possible. Lettuce and other green and non-starchy vegetables leave the stomach with little change. They pass through the stomach rapidly unless delayed by oily dressing or foods that require a more thorough gastric digestion.

Do not consume melons with any other foods – Many people who have complained that melons did not agree with them have no trouble when eating only melons at a meal. Melons are more than 90% liquid and leave the stomach quickly if not delayed and fermented by combining with other foods.Avoid over ripe fruit, this may cause digestive disturbances.

Sprouts – The best way to eat grains are as sprouts. When grains are sprouted, they come alive with enzymes and oxygen. They become a pre-digested food. Other seeds and legumes may be sprouted as well.

Water – You should drink alkaline water throughout the day. Do not allow your thirst to build up. Do not allow dehydration to occur. Do not drink a large amount at one time. It is better to have a smaller but continual flow of water for proper assimilation and detoxification. Don’t dilute the natural enzymes in your body by drinking with meals. Water is a food, make it the best quality you can. Avoid distilled and chlorinated for health sake.

References:For more information we recommend the following books: “Food Combining Made Easy” and “Superior Nutrition” by Herbert Shelton D.P., N.D., D.N.T, D.N.Sc.

Excerpts from the above have been taken from a document published by The Canadian Natural Health Association Founded on Natural Hygiene, Toronto Chapter