Another Piece to the Puzzle??

Well…maybe. On one of the MS message boards, that I frequent, there was an article about a Dr. in Italy who has done some research on a “twisting” or blockage of the jugular veins. His theory is that most MS patients have this blockage or narrowing which causes a build up of iron in the brain. He has had some success by having these veins enlarged with angioplasty. Some people have reported a complete remission and others only a slight improvement in symptoms. So, MSers, who know their way around a computer, were off and running! Seems that iron overload was being researched as a cause of MS way back in the 1940’s. Then of course, as we all know, the pharmaceutical industry took off and when the Dr. died, so did his research. Well, the investigators kept looking and wondering. Now they are looking into a disease called hemochromatosis. This is a hereditary disease, primarily effecting people of northern European descent, which is also something that causes iron overload. It is very rarely diagnosed and is sometimes referred to as the “bronze” disease. Apparently one of the symptoms is a bronze looking skin tone. And then again, as with most diseases, not everyone will have the same symptoms. At any rate, iron overload, especially of the brain, could definitely be part of the puzzle. The hemochromatosis does not match my symtoms too much, but the blockage part would be interesting to know. I understand that there is more research going on now, even in the US and Canada. Time will tell if anything comes of it. My cynical opinion is that if big pharma is going to lose their $1000.00 a month therapies, the research will be discounted, as has started already!

It has been suggested that MS people should not take iron supplements (I never have) and do not eat foods that contain a high amount of iron. One of the foods that help to chelate iron is broccoli. Good, I eat a lot of that. The supplement that is recommended to help remove some of the iron is alpha lipoic acid. I just started taking that a few weeks ago. Maybe I will up the dosage. The suggestion just came across the board today, so I’m sure there will be a discussion soon. Alpha lipoic acid has been recommended for MSers as an antioxidant for quite awhile. The chelation is something new. Life is interesting to say the least!

Hope everyone is enjoying the New Year. On these gray days, I look forward to the next sunny days. We are getting longer and longer days and the sun will be warmer when we see it again! I love looking forward to spring!

Healthy Days to You...Your Smiling Maven

It's Twenty-Ten!!!

Well, HI! It’s the second of January, 2010, already! I understand that we, the “corporate” we, are saying twenty-ten, not two thousand and ten. It does make it seem easier to say. However we say it, it is here and moving on, already. That is the way December went. It just moved on! Getting ready for Christmas and a birthday and being ill, just took up all of the days and Christmas was here and gone before I knew it! Looking back I did enjoy most of the days, even with our uninvited illness. I think maybe children will do that for adults. They certainly do charm me and MDH.

It is said that our habits and personalities are formed by the time we are 6 years old. I think that for the most part this must be true. For me, New Years Eve is not a big deal. When we were younger, MDH and I attended our share of New Years Eve Parties, but we haven’t for quite awhile. Not interested and truth be told, we didn’t really enjoy most of the ones that we went to. Well, NYEve was not a big deal with my parents, as I was growing up, either, so I don’t feel as though I am missing anything. However, New Years Day was always a time of having a special meal and having family over. It was the last big meal of the Christmas Holiday Season at our house. So, that’s the way MDH and I have celebrated New Years for quite awhile now. Time with family and a lovely meal. Apparently, the new tradition for NYEve is lots and lots of fireworks. We have talked to two other people who said the same thing happened in their neighborhood. There was as much fireworks, from 9PM to 12:30AM, as there was on the Fourth of July! Quite amazing, really.

On Christmas Eve, my daughter and daughter-in-law both remarked about the actress Brittany Murphy's sudden passing. I said to them that I had read that they thought that perhaps the gal was taking a lot of Prescription Medications. Well, it has been confirmed, that 10 different prescriptions were found in and around her bedroom and bath. The poor girl didn’t have a chance. There were anti-depressives and anti-seizure and anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory drugs and a bipolar drug and a pain reliever and something for high blood pressure, too. Yes, I know that’s not ten. There were duplicate prescriptions for the same ailment for some of them. Apparently, it’s not cool to push narcotics if you are a film director or producer anymore. But it is certainly seems to be "Okey Dokey" to hook your star up to a pill pushing Dr. or Drs. and have them write out all sorts of prescriptions. Get the actor on the set, no matter the cost! That’s at least 4 actor/singers that I know of who have gone out on a legal drug overdose! There was at least one mother who didn’t have a Happy New Year or Merry Christmas! I have witnessed people in break rooms practice the game of “one-up-man ship” regarding who was on the most prescriptions or who had the highest dosage. This is a game that needs to be stopped! No one was ever born with a “prescription” shortage! (I read that somewhere)

Well, it is the time of year that people make resolutions. I haven’t ever been a fan of that either, but I have decided, in the last few weeks, that I need to “Be still and Know that I am God”. I know that in my brain, but with all that is going on in this country, I have allowed that truth to only be in my brain and not in my soul. So, I will make a conscious effort to block out the world this year and allow the Lord to speak to me and allow His truths to rule my life. I have been so blessed in this life. It’s time for me to appreciate it more.

May you all have a Blessed Year and Healthy Days to You...

Your Smiling Maven

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We’ve had a lovely day…more sun than rain. Hooray!! We had family Thanksgiving last weekend and a relative just out of the hospital yesterday, so we have stayed home today. However, I am almost as tired as I might be had we gone out! Had a busy day, doing “stuff.”

My main goal was to get the felted appliqué snowmen finished before Thanksgiving…and I did! They took more of my time than I expected, but they turned out cute and the girls love them. It’s now on to the next project!

It’s not going to be the one that I had planned. This Grandma is a softy! My granddaughter, who will be 4 in December, was telling me about sending out her birthday party invitations, and who was coming and that she was getting a new party dress, etc. Well, her mom had already said that she wasn’t getting a new dress. As we chatted on there was still more talk of this dress. It was going to be purple with butterflies on it. I suggested that her Mom had said no to the dress. She was undeterred. More birthday party talk and, of course, everyone knows that a new dress is part of the deal. She was so sincere, as any 4 year old can be…the sun will rise tomorrow…Mom and Dad will be there….syrup goes on pancakes….and a birthday party calls for a new party dress. She was not being coy or manipulative, just 4 years old. So, I called her Mom the next day and told her I would sew the new dress. She said, ”Mom, you are such a sucker!” Guilty as charged. Granddaughters do that to a person…. hence the next project.

My project for the last month, when I wasn’t working on the snowmen ornaments, was checking out recipes and ingredients needed to cook completely sugar free and fungal free. The more I look into this, the more convinced I am that I am on the right track. I’m sleeping better and my eczema keeps getting better, as does my husband’s. Eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, nail fungus, and just about any other malady that we might have, are all related to the condition of the intestines. The more good bacteria we have, the less bad bacteria will be in control, and most of us in the US have too much bad bacteria. Antibiotics have been lifesavers, but they also ruin our interior terrain! And, as all countries become more modernized, we (the collective, We) have left our traditional methods of preparing food behind. All cultures used to eat some kind of fermented food on a daily basis. A national campaign to encourage probiotics, like they have for Vit D, would be a good start.

So, I’m on to Christmas...decorating, cooking, ordering gifts, and more projects, I’m sure. Hope you all will have a very blessed, happy, and healthy Holiday Season!


Healthy Days to You...Your Smiling Maven

"Bitamins"

We took care of two of our Granddaughters this weekend. There is a reason that “young” people have children. They are such good kids, but even so, we were exhausted by the time their Mom and Dad picked them up. So much fun to have them come, but glad it’s only for awhile. We’ve had naps and now we’re fine! The little one, who’s almost four, and still has some speech difficulties, wants to do everything big people do. When I put out my vitamins before dinner she wants her vitamins put out, too. So, I’ve put her bottles on the counter and she can now get them, with Grandma’s permission. She asks, “Bitamins”?, I say “yes” and she is now so proud to be able to do for herself. When we get sat down at the table she tells me that “Bitamins keep me healthy.” Of course, I agree and am so glad that she is learning now. I don't correct her speach. She's just too funny and cute, to boot!

I haven’t heard a Dr on TV or anywhere else, for that matter, not suggest that everyone should be taking a good daily multivitamin, at the least. These days they usually add that we should all have our Vit D levels checked and then add Vit D, too. It’s interesting that the latest statistics, (2007) from the U.S. National Poison Data System, about death from Vitamins and Minerals is ZERO. Pharmaceuticals, is 1,597. The numbers can speak for themselves.

Also, I read an article about making sure that if you are in the hospital, you have an advocate at your bedside the whole time that you are there. They can ask questions like, “What is that medications? What are the side effects? What are you doing?’ Apparently, too many meds are being dispensed incorrectly at hospitals and patients get mixed up and the wrong care can be given to you, instead of the intended patient. In today’s world, a holistic Dr, like Dr. Weil, can quote statements about an herb, that has been published by many peer reviewed journals, and he can be threatened with prison and the loss of his business. He must have gotten more popular and was making enough money that Big Pharma’s were feeling threatened. Good grief!!...An herb that has been used for thousands of years to treat many different illnesses, needs a double blind, placebo controlled study and the H1N1 vaccine can be given with only the scantest of testing. OK…Sounds good to me. (Sarcasm, intended)

Love the cooler weather. The rainy NW is just fine with me. Those who are dreading possible floods, not so much! But the rain is BACK and will likely be here for quite awhile. Glad that I can stay indoors.

As Always...Healthy Days to you, Your Smiling Maven

Have a Shot.....or Not!

I’ve been asked recently about the H1N1 Flu Vaccine. “Are you getting one or what?” Well, after reading all of the articles that come across this computer, and listening to TV Docs, I have come up with some options for everyone and my personal preference.

Some of the recommendations are to get a regular flu shot and an H1N1 shot, also. Some say absolutely do not have both. Some say the adjuvant that is in the H1N1 shot is extremely dangerous, some say not. And on and on it goes. So, I have come up with 3 courses of action. My opinion only.

#1…All Pharmaceutical and All Government
Take both the regular and the H1N1 shot. That’s it and call it good.

#2…Part Pharm and Part Natural
Take the H1N1 shot, but in addition, take a good daily multivitamin,
a good probiotic, and take at least 5,000IU’s of Vitamin D3 per day.

#3…All Natural
Take a good daily multivitamin, a good probiotic, and 5,000IU’s of
Vitamin D3. Also add 1500 to 2000 mg of vitamin C. Then have
on hand a bottle of 5,000IU of VitD. (The other VitD that you would
be taking will probably be in 1,200 to 2,000 IU doses) Another tool in
your arsenal would be a product called Beta Glucan, an immune
modulator. Some suggest having a bottle of “nano colloidal silver”
available, too. At the 1st sign of the sniffles or even if you think that
you’ve been exposed, take 40,000 to 50,000 IU’s of VitD and some
Beta Glucan. The nano silver is in case all else fails.

#3 will be my choice because all authorities say that those with blood-brain barriers that have already been crossed or are immune compromised, should not take the H1N1 vaccine. That would be me. I’m already an advocate of natural medicine, so that’s the way I’m going. Hope I have answered satisfactorily those who were curious.

On a personal note. I’m doing a felt appliqué stocking for Granddaughter #5. I’m about ½ done with it. That will give all grandchildren the same kind of stocking. Then I will be learning how to operate my new serger. Thank the Lord for You Tube. Lots of “How To” videos on there. Supposed to make sewing so much faster.. Hope so, as it is all about the energy or lack of! I’ll find out soon. Dear daughter has promised to help me if I get stuck!!

As Always…Healthy Days to You…Your Maven

Alzheimers, H1N1, Autism

What do these 3 maladies have in common? Well….Let me try to get this brain in some kind of order and I’ll explain. The things that come floating thru this computer are amazing. It’s so much fun, to me, to tie it al together. I really am a “muser.”

One morning an article came in and it talked about finding “nano” particles in the brains of deceased Alzheimer patients. These “nano” particles were from sunscreen. How they knew that, I don’t know, and I have long since deleted the article. I understand that there are probably many things that contribute to Alzheimer’s, but this is just one more piece to the puzzle. This is also another example of an “unintended consequence.” We are told to slather on sunscreen, which is loaded with chemicals, and we never question what those chemicals might do to us in the long run. The Natural Health community is of the belief that skin cancer is really the result of our diet. So while we try to avoid skin cancer, we block the production of Vit D and all of it’s health giving benefits.

Then I received an e-newsletter from the Vit D Council. They had letters from Doctors who had anecdotal evidence, that Vit D was having a positive impact on swine flu patients. Immediately after receiving that letter, another one came in from a Dr. who was replying to the previous newsletter. This Dr. (A) has a practice with another Dr. across the hall. The other Dr. (B) does not test his patients Vit D levels and does not think that it matters. Dr. (A) has been testing his patients for 2 years and has them on 2000 to 5000 IU’s a day. Dr. (B) is having 1 in 10 patients present with swine flu. Dr (A) has had no H1N1 patients at all. Anecdotal, yes, but I’ll take it.

Then, I think I’ve talked about this before, autistic children going on Vit D and changing their diet. They remove sugar and grains and add probiotics and live foods and VitD. It’s having a very positive effect on these children. They are now doing a study of pregnant women who have previously given birth to an autistic child. They are giving the mothers “mega doses” of Vit D. Seems to me that during pregnancy is kind of late, but maybe it will help. I’m sure I’ll read about the results in a few months.

Yes, all of these conditions are affected by Vitamin D. We’ve gotten so busy living and working indoors, taking natural and traditional foods out of our diets, and putting chemicals in our bodies or on them (which in most cases is the same as ingesting them), that we are now living in a world of unintended consequences. Antibiotics and vaccines are life savers in some instances, but they kill a part of our bodies that we desperately need. Your immune system needs a flourishing mixture of bennificial bacteria. You must replenish your gut bacteria after antibiotics. Probiotics can be purchased in any health food store. Sunscreen is nice for the protection from sunburn on tender skin, but we need the life giving natural sunlight for production of Vitamin D and possibly other vital nutrients. Even when we get outdoors, most of us do not get enough sunlight to keep our Vitamin D levels at optimal levels. Vitamin D3 supplementation is essential.

We in this country have finally realized that hydrogenated oils are detrimental to our health. Maybe someday we’ll realize that the chemicals that we put on our bodies can be detrimental, too.


Another topic. I was listening to a viral comment about a supplement that is taken to relieve acne. So, I went online and looked up the ingredients. Hmmmm, I thought, aren’t most of these ingredients anti-fungal? So, off to google I went. The product contained 1200 IU’s of Vit D3. I knew that Vit D is, among other things, an anti-fungal. It also contained Burdock root, Horsetail, and Biotin (a form of B vitamin). Sure enough, they all have anti-fungal properties. No wonder the product works. It starts wiping out the overgrowth of candida and “voila!”, the acne clears up. Would have loved to have some of this when I was a teenager.

Well, I started writing this 2 days ago. My life is so hectic...NOT!! I have finished one of my needle craft projects and the other one is coming via the "Brown Santa" next week. I always add too many "things to do" before Christmas. Oh well, that really is where the fun comes in!

As Always...Healthy Days to You...Your Smiling Maven

Organic...Means What?

Well, I only thought that I was back, last time. I had a virus, at the time, but was so relieved to be in an air-conditioned home, I didn’t realize how bad it really was making me feel. It’s been 5 weeks tomorrow that MDH and I came down with this. I think I can safely say…It’s GONE!!! Dr’s office said that they feel that it turned into something like a food allergy. Whatever it was, it wasn’t fun. I finally started to feel almost normal last Friday. Still get really tired…what else is new? Just couldn’t get motivated until this mornings newsletters came thru. So before I talk about that, I’ve been wanting to post about the “organic” nonsense. So, I will…quickly.

As usual, the news media jumped on the negative news. Ground breaking NEWS!!, organic foods do not have more nutrients than non-organic foods. Really?...That just doesn’t sound right, I said to myself. Besides, the word organic does not refer to the nutrient content of the food, it refers to the content of what’s not in the food, such as pesticides and herbicides. So, I waited for the “push back”. Along it came, in several different articles, not the MSM, however. Sure enough, the research that was used for the “organics not better” article was debunked and yes, the nutrition content of organic fruits and vegetables is better than non-organic. I won’t go into all the reasons or references, but most people already know this. So I mused to myself, "Who would profit from a report like this?" Remember…follow the money. Then I read an article that wasn’t even referring to organic foods that the UK and the European Union are limiting certain seeds and farming practices. Hmmmm? Could this be true? Along comes another article that our dear House of Representatives has managed to pass a bill that would in essence do away with organic farms, hormone and antibiotic free meats, and organic and raw dairy products. It hasn’t been passed by the Senate yet, but who knows? The bill is called the “Food Safety Enhancement Act 2009. It would wipe out the small organic farmer and it is feared the large one, too. Yes…follow the money. Can you say Monsanto? Just to name one big agribusiness conglomerate. If organic can be passed off as "not better", it is easier to shut them down. And so it goes. Not just in this country, but around the globe. A person could get depressed by all the nonsense that is going on.

However, this morning I was reading a newsletter from the Vitamin D Council. They were talking about the studies that have been done on the flu and autism. The reports are showing that the people who had a negative reaction to the flu vaccine were deficient in Vit D! Also, that children with autism aren’t necessarily the ones who are Vit D deficient, it’s their mothers! The mothers were deficient when they were pregnant and the children with the genetic predisposition to autism, got it! It makes sense. This correlates to the rising incidence of autism of recent years. The mothers who started wearing sunscreen, several years ago, were trying to follow Drs. orders, but it had an unintended consequence. We fooled with Mother Nature…Not good! Wow!!! So, young mothers and young mother wannabes, take your vitamin D and maybe back off on the sunscreen. It would probably be good to keep babies and very young children sun screened, but older ones, maybe just the face. Don’t want your girls mad at you when they turn 40 and the wrinkles start showing up! Boys, not so much problem in that department. Vitamin D, so vital to our well being for our whole lives,in areas, of our lives, where we didn’t even realize such a vitamin, that we have taken for granted, is so essential. Bottoms up on the D3!!!

Also, got the quilt done in time for my granddaughter’s birthday. Just made it. Her Mom tells me that she started sleeping with it right away and watches her morning show on TV all snuggled up with it and she even shares it with the little sister! There’s a picture on tickle monsters. So glad that she is enjoying it.

I've started a new project. I seem to have to have a project in my hands when I sit down. I am so over the summer. One of these days I'll have to take an interest in my flowers, but not right now! As Always...

Healthy Days to You...Your Smiling Maven