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Heart health and the contribution of the microbiome and diet to its maintanence. Info on heart health with respect to collesterol and statins. Heart and Heart Health Page Content: What is a heart attack Unorthodox Perceptions of Heart Failure Life style and the heart Heart Aging and the Role of SIRT2 Protein A healthy diet Cholesterol and heart condition Some facts about cho lesterol Cholesterol level and our diet What is the "right" cholesterol level Insulin Resistance Statins May Make Heart Health Worse Statins, Cholesterol Reduction and Myelin Additional indicators to heart risk Inflammation and Heart Disease Thyroid Health and Heart Disease What is a heart attack? What Is a Heart Attack? Your heart is an extraordinary organ that can function even when detached from your body as long as it is supplied with an adequate amount of oxygen. It works relentlessly to pump blood throughout your body and beats nearly 100,000 times every day, So it is crucial the muscle receives enough oxygenated blood and nutrients or it can die. Other than routine check-ups and test results, Heart Attacks are mostly originate with a chest pain . Common causes of heart-related chest pain include heart attack, angina, myocarditis and pericarditis. Plaque buildup in your arteries or narrowing of arteries, blocking the blood flow to the heart are a common reason to detrimental loss of blood supply to the heart. Although sometimes used interchangeably, a heart attack and cardiac arrest are two different occurrences. Sudden, unexpected cardiac arrest is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. but it is different from a heart attack. The most immediate and recognizable difference is that a heart attack victim will remain conscious with their heart beating, while someone who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest will be unconscious with no discernible heartbeat. While a heart attack affects the oxygen supply to the heart muscle, cardiac arrest affects the electrical impulses. During a heart attack, part of the heart may have a reduction in oxygen supply if the blood is restricted, but the remaining areas of the muscle will continue to beat Still, a heart attack can easily trigger a cardiac arrest! A loss of oxygen supply to the heart muscle from a heart attack affects the electrical impulses and may trigger a cardiac arrest. During a cardiac arrest, the electrical system is impacted by physical conditions, such as cardiomyopathy, heart failure or arrhythmias. This is perhaps the most common reason for a sudden cardiac arrest. Unorthodox Perceptions of Heart failure The above heart failure narrative is called - "the clogged pipeline theory". The strength of the pipeline theory is that it is simple, logical, clear and very visual. The cardiologist's role then, many times, is simply to open the blockages with drugs, stents or bypass surgery. Still, scientific research simply shows, time and again, that, it is not "the clogging" that triggers the heart problem. In most cases it does not help at all (pay attention to the references cited from the three leading journals in medicine - [1] ,[2] ,[3] ) Could it be that the "clogged pipe theory" is incorrect or at best only partial? Quite a few other scientific theories, try to give an explanation and even challenge the bread and butter of cardiology - the cholesterol-lowering drugs, catheters and bypass surgery. Here are two of these theories: Dr Matthias Rath, a doctor and researcher of German origin asks three interesting questions: Why are there no other body organ failures as a result of clogging, but only heart attacks? Why do only the arteries "get" atherosclerosis? Why is there no atherosclerosis of the veins? Why do only humans have heart attacks and animals don't? The vast majority of mammals know how to produce vitamin C themselves. We humans lost this ability in the distant evolutionary past, and we rely on vitamin C only from our diet. Vitamin C is necessary to create collagen. The collagen protein repairs defects that form in the inner cell layer of the arteries. The collagen does many other good things. When there is a partial deficiency of vitamin C, especially in the arteries of the heart, the repair ability of the blood vessels is impaired. To compensate for this, the body activates another repair mechanism that relies on a sticky particle called lipoprotein (LPa). This particle sinks into the walls of the blood vessels, in places of weakness, to repair and strengthen them. Over the years, this mechanism works excessively and slowly forms a layer of calcified connective tissue known as Atherosclerosis. LPa is a particle that has been studied for many years. A high level of it in the blood is linked to a variety of heart diseases and especially to ischemic heart disease[4 ],[5 ]. It can even be easily checked with routine blood tests. Why didn't your doctor ever prescribe you to do the test? Good question. Probably because the cardiologists don't check for it either. Why? I don't really know. Dr. Rath offers a fairly simple treatment based on vitamins (mainly vitamin C), minerals and amino acids [6 ]. By this treatment, the body improves collagen production and does not need to use LPa. Dr. Tom Cowan in his book Human Heart, Cosmic Heart offers another explanation which based on the following observations: All pathological studies conducted on people who died of a heart attack - looking under a microscope at the deceased's heart arteries, revealed that in most of them, there was no blockage of the coronary artery supplying the infarcted area (see pages 56-59). The body knows, almost without exception, to produce a collateral vascular system of new blood vessels that bypass any blockage, no matter how big. The pathological studies showed that the more time that passes from the heart attack to the death of the inflicted person, the more likely it is that there will be a blockage of a heart vessel. That is, the blood vessel blockage, if it happens at all, is the result of the heart attack and not the cause of it. The overall tone of the heart is controlled by the sympathetic system and its well-known hormone, adrenaline. When we sleep/relax/eat, the general tone of the heart is regulated by the parasympathetic system and its main nerve - the vagus. Increased sympathetic tone over time, accompanied by weakened parasympathetic tone, makes the heart vulnerable to acute events, which at once increase sympathetic tone. Emotional stress (on Mondays upon returning to work, there are more heart attacks in the US than the rest of the week) or intense physical activity, or a sudden hormonal change, such as what happens when we get up in the morning [8 ], cause the heart muscle to overexert itself and go into a metabolic state where it produces too much lactic acid . Any other overworked muscle in the body announces its fatigue by a burning sensation and pain caused by the lactic acid (without any problem with the blood flow). In the case of voluntary muscles, we simply stop the activity, take a rest, and allow the body to clear the lactic acid and recover. The heart cannot rest. It must continue to contract. When the heart cells become acidic, a chain of reactions begins that leads, eventually, to an accelerated decrease in cell function and, in the extreme case of a heart attack, to their death. A section of heart cells that are suffering and undergo edematous, will cause the blood vessels that supply oxygen to that area of the heart cells to be under pressure and inflammatory condition that could lead to a sudden blood clot. In other words, this blood clot is the result of deleterious conditions and not the trigger for the damage. In such an acute and catastrophic case, it makes sense to try to open the blood vessel by dissolving the clot or performing catheterization to open the blocked blood vessel segment with a balloon and/or a stent. In any other situation (such as the very common scenario in which heart disease is detected by a stress test or when blockages are detected by elective catheterization), catheterization will not help, since the problem is not there, but in the imbalance of the autonomic system, which causes the heart muscle to tire and accumulate lactic acid. Watch this video dealing with Catheterization, that shows a complete blockage in a major blood vessel of the heart and still, the blood vessel after the blockage is completely full of blood. These are the natural bypasses that the heart produces en masse so that the blood flow to the heart continues at full strength regardless of the blockages that are created (with the exception of a number of critical blockages that are created due to their very poor location). In conclusion, the theme promoted by the medical establishment: "bad cholesterol clogs the arteries - clogged arteries cause a heart attack - a heart attack kills", is very easy to understand and embrace the "actors" recommendations. The actors in the dramatic play are excellent actors - professors, pharmaceutical companies, medical boards, but the connection between the play and reality itself, may be completely coincidental. Unorthodox Perceeptions of Heart Failure Life style and the heart Heart Aging and the Role of SIRT2 Protein Life style and the heart The biological aging of the heart is a major risk factor, and yes, relaxation, healthy diet that is rich with vitamin C and collagen, exercises, no smoking, detoxification and some more are well established components of healthy aging of the heart (and the body). In the following sections we review with some greater details some elements of heart health at the molecular level - what exactly is happening in our heart cells that impacts heart aging, followed with practical actions in terms of what can we do to improve: Heart Aging and the Role of SIRT2 Protein A research published in Nature , focuses on the role of a protein called SIRT2 (a member of the sirtuin protein family) in the aging of the heart. It turns out that as we age, the level of this protein in the heart decreases. The researchers (in the article) showed two things that show how the presence of SIRT2 is related to the aging of the heart: If you engineer heart cells so that the level of SIRT2 will be lower, you get young cells...with the function of old cells. In other words, lowering the level of this protein is enough to accelerate the aging of heart cells. If you increase the level of SIRT2 in older heart cells, you reduce the symptoms of aging, even though the cells are already older!!! Consider it as the molecular fountain of youth of the heart! Raising the level of SIRT2 in the heart . As it turns out, there are some everyday things that increase the activity of SIRT2: Fasting : Fasting and caloric restrictions are well-known triggers of several members of the sirtuin family, including SIRT2[1 ][2 ]. Turmeric (Curcumin) : It turns out that one of the things it does very well is activate the sirtuins. For example, Research on worms showed that turmeric extends their life (the bottom line in improving health), and that this beneficial effect depends on the production of SIRT2. In relation to turmeric, it is important to note that consuming it with black pepper, improves its absorption significantly , 20 times, so it is recommended to do it More about SIRT2: It is a protein that regulates the action of other proteins by their deacetylation , namely - "peeling off" of a small molecule called acetyl, a molecule that plays a central role in those protein's cellular metabolism (Read more below ), proteins that serve as a key intermediaries in numerous metabolic pathways[1 ][2 ]. Its primary functions include: Energy production: Acetyl-CoA enters the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) in mitochondria, where it is oxidized to generate ATP, NADH, and FADH2[1 ][5 ]. Lipid synthesis: In the cytoplasm, acetyl-CoA acts as a building block for fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis[2 ] [4 ]. Protein acetylation: Acetyl-CoA serves as a substrate for histone acetyltransferases (HATs), influencing gene expression through histone acetylation[2 ][3 ]. Ketone body production: In the liver, mitochondrial acetyl-CoA is used to synthesize ketone bodies during periods of carbohydrate scarcity[5 ]. Carbohydrate metabolism: Acetyl-CoA is produced from the breakdown of glucose through glycolysis and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity[1 ][6 ] . Amino acid metabolism: Acetyl-CoA participates in the metabolism of certain amino acids[4 ]. A healthy diet - protecting and improving the gut microbiota we already discussed at length the importance of our diet as a preventive measure. "Taking care" of our heart is no exception. These two scientific articles are just another corroboration of this element: The Role of Gut Microbiota on Insulin Resistance Role and Effective Therapeutic Target of Gut Microbiota in Heart Failure, Additional parameters: Normal body mass index (BMI) Getting at least 2.5 hours of exercise each week and watching television seven or fewer hours per week Avoiding smoking Limiting alcohol to one drink or less per day. A Healthy Diet Cholesterol and heart condition Cholesterol and heart conditions: Cholesterol has been a highly publicized "scapegoat" for causing heart disease for decades. As a result, many have diligently cut all cholesterol-rich foods (which are often also nutrient-rich foods) from their diets. As precautionary measure, more than 1 in 4 Americans over 45 take cholesterol-lowering statin drugs at the behest of their physicians, despite their lengthy list of side effects and dubious effectiveness. and the underlying question that is: do we really need to be worried about cholesterol? The problem is not cholesterol levels but rather the development of insulin resistance (IR)! Insulin resistance is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Insulin resistance, characterized by the body's decreased response to insulin, leads to several metabolic alterations that contribute to the development of CVD. IR is a condition encompassing hyperglycemia and compensatory hyperinsulinemia. It occurs when insulin is not capable of exerting its maximum effects on target tissues, including skeletal muscles, liver and adipose tissue. This alteration of insulin signaling pathways results in the development of cardiometabolic disorders, including obesity, dyslipidemia, low-grade inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension, all of which are predisposing factors for atherosclerosis and CVD. Some facts about cholesterol: Cholesterol is important to our body! our liver makes about three-quarters or more of your body's cholesterol—that's how important it is. Many of the healthiest foods happen to be rich in cholesterol (and saturated fats ), yet cholesterol has been demonized since the early 1950s following the popularization of Ancel Keys' flawed research . Is high total cholesterol and/or elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol indicative of elevated heart disease risk ? With regard to total cholesterol, as far back as 1977, with the publication of the Framingham Study , no correlation between heart disease and total cholesterol could be found. Further research showed that the problem is not cholesterol but oxidized LDL. “Is the oxidized LDL a bad player?” Ali asks , “[or] is it there to protect us from oxidative injury? Rather than letting the important cells get oxidized, is the LDL sacrificing itself in protecting the body? Then, your whole paradigm changes ... LDL is not a bad player — it’s trying to protect us. What I need to figure out is how do I prevent this oxidative injury in the first place, and an argument that should surface is that, maybe I should have more LDL around so that oxidative injury can be ... prevented, rather than having less LDL? These are the kinds of fundamental questions that science should be asking.” Note the link between polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - the higher PUFA level in the blood, the higher the levels of arachidonic acid in plasma, which is linked to elevated Lp(a) concentrations. "The primary way to prevent atherosclerosis, then, is to radically reduce your LA (Linoleic Acid) intake by eliminating seed oils from your cooking, and avoiding processed foods (which are loaded with seed oils) and restaurant foods (as most are cooked in seed oils)." Cholesterol has many health benefits. It plays a key role in regulating protein pathways involved in cell signaling and may also regulate other cellular processes, for instance. It's already known that cholesterol plays a critical role within your cell membranes, but research suggests cholesterol also interacts with proteins inside our cells. Cholesterol is one of the molecules that allow for these interactions to take place. For example, cholesterol is the precursor to bile acids, so without sufficient amounts of cholesterol, your digestive system can be adversely affected. It also plays an essential role in our brain, which contains about 25 percent of the cholesterol in our body. It is critical for synapse formation, i.e. the connections between your neurons, which allow us to think, learn new things, and form memories. Some facts about cholesterol Cholesterol and our diet Cholesterol blood Level and our diet Cholesterol level is not the result of what we eat! The regulation of HDL and LDL cholesterol levels involves several interconnected body mechanisms: The biggest factor in cholesterol is not diet but genetics or heredity. Our liver is designed to remove excess cholesterol from our body, but genetics play a large part in our liver's ability to regulate cholesterol to a healthy level. Take, for instance, people with genetic familial hypercholesterolemia. This is a condition characterized by abnormally high cholesterol, which tends to be resistant to lowering with lifestyle strategies like diet and exercise. Further, eating nutritious cholesterol-rich foods is not something we should feel guilty about; they're good for us and will not drive up our cholesterol levels as we may have been told. To date, extensiv e research did not show evidence to support a role of dietary cholesterol in the development of CVD. It is worth noting that most foods that are rich in cholesterol are also high in saturated fatty acids and thus may increase the risk of CVD due to the saturated fatty acid content. What is the "Right" Cholesterol Level: In recent years, there is a growing number of studies that show that higher cholesterol levels of both HDL and LDL types are associated with prolonged life expectancy [REF1 ], [REF2 ]. Not only that cholesterol levels of 252 mg/dl were found to be associated with prolonged life expectancy, but there are many articles [REF3 ], [REF4 ], [REF5 ] that presents the rational for these findings. Bottom line, cholesterol level is a body "built in" response to various nutritional and other health conditions (like chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and more) and therefore it makes no sense to take medications to lower the cholesterol level (which impedes the body's positive reactions), rather than dealing with the issues that triggered this reaction. Insulin Resistance "Multiple studies have demonstrated that insulin resistance is a strong predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease (ASCVD) and have been summarized in a recent meta-analysis by Gast et al" . Insulin resistance (IR) has profound implications for vascular health, contributing to both functional and structural damage in blood vessels. Below is an overview of its effects: Impaired endothelial function (the control of blood fluidity, platelet aggregation and vascular tone) : Insulin resistance is associated with endothelial dysfunction , which is characterized by reduced production of nitric oxide, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress in the endothelial cells lining blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction limits the ability of the blood vessels to repair damage caused by blood vessels inflammation, as it interferes with the normal processes of the widening of blood vessels (vasodilation) and the recruitment of repair cells to damaged areas. Decreased nitric oxide production : Insulin resistance can lead to decreased production of nitric oxide , a molecule that plays a key role in maintaining the health and function of blood vessels. Nitric oxide helps to regulate vascular tone, inhibit platelet aggregation, and prevent leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium (a single layer of cells, called endothelial cells, which line all your blood vessels and lymphatic vessels). Reduced nitric oxide levels impair the ability of blood vessels to respond to injury and promote repair processes. Pro-inflammatory state : Insulin resistance is associated with a chronic low-grade inflammatory state characterized by elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This systemic inflammation can further damage the endothelium and impair repair mechanisms in response to inflammation induced injury. Additionally, inflammation promotes the development and progression of atherosclerosis, further compromising vascular repair. Hyperglycemia-induced damage : Insulin resistance is often associated with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels), which can lead to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs contribute to endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation, all of which impair the ability of the cardiovascular system to repair damage caused by inflammation. Overall, insulin resistance contributes to a pro-atherogenic environment characterized by endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, which collectively limit the ability of the cardiovascular system to repair damage caused by blood vessels inflammation, and promote the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. "The molecular etiology (etiology = attribution of the cause or reason for something) of the insulin resistance directly contributes to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by inhibiting nitric oxide production (endothelial dysfunction) and stimulating the MAPK pathway". In conclusion of the above section, lowering insulin resistance is the most important action to reduce CHD risk! Our recommended diet , that includes intermittent fasting and physical exercises is most likely to provide the desired results. STATINS "Of note despite the ability of statins to lower LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and apolipoprotein B levels, statins do not lower Lp(a) (Lipoprotein (a)) levels and may even increase levels (10 ,11 ). Finally, statins modestly increase HDL-C levels (8 ,12 ,13 ). In most studies HDL-C levels increase between 5-10% with statin therapy". Statins May Make Heart Health Worse There is evidence showing that statins may worsen heart health, and only appear effective due to statistical deception. One scientific study concludes : "Statins stimulate atherosclerosis and heart failure: pharmacological mechanisms". Another study brings this conclusion : "How statistical deception created the appearance that statins are safe and effective in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease" This study shows that "Use of the statin medications routinely result in lower coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels in the serum . Some studies have also shown reduction of coenzyme Q10 in muscle tissue. Such coenzyme Q10 deficiency may be one mechanism for statin-induced myopathies." "Myopathies are a heterogeneous group of disorders primarily affecting the skeletal muscle structure, metabolism, or channel function. They usually present with muscle weakness interfering in daily life activities. Muscle pain is also a common finding and some myopathies are associated with rhabdomyolysis". CoQ10 is crucial for efficiently transferring electrons within the mitochondrial oxidative respiratory chain and producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) . ATP is a coenzyme used as an energy carrier in every cell of our body. When we consider that our heart is the most energy-demanding organ in our body, we can surmise how potentially devastating it can be to deplete our body's main source of cellular energy. So while one of statins' claims to fame is warding off heart disease, scientific studies show that they actually increase our risk of depleting our body of CoQ10. The depletion of CoQ10 caused by the drug is why statins can increase our risk of acute heart failure. Statins, Cholesterol Reduction and Myelin Given the discussion in this section about the importance of cholesterol for the production of myelin, and the importance of myelin to cognitive functioning, it is not surprising that dementia and altzheimer disease rapidly increased with the expansion of statins usage as shown by these numbers from QuickStats: "Age-Adjusted Death Rates for Alzheimer Disease Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years, by Sex — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 1999–2019. The age-adjusted death rate for Alzheimer disease increased from 128.8 per 100,000 in 1999 to 233.8 in 2019.23 (Apr 2021) " Anyone who takes a statin drug, MUST take Coenzyme Q10 as a supplement. For those who are over 40, it is strongly recommend to take ubiquinol (CoQ10's reduced form) instead of CoQ10, as it's far more effectively absorbed by our body. What is the "right" Cholesterol Level Statins May Make Heart Health Worse Insulin Resistance Statins, Cholesterol Reduction and Myelin Inflammation and Heart Desease Thyroid Health and Heart Disease Additional indicators to assess heart disease risk : Fasting insulin level test : The normal fasting blood insulin level after a night of fasting varies, but generally falls within the range of 2-12 μU/mL (or μIU/mL) for the general population. Excess fat , particularly around our belly, is one of the major contributors to heart disease, Fasting blood sugar level test: This test measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast (not eating). The normal blood sugar level after a night of fasting (typically 8 hours or more) is between 70 to 99 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L) " Coronary-heart-disease (CHD) mortality was approximately doubled for subjects with inpaired glucose tolerance (IGT), defined as a blood-sugar above the 95th centile (greater than or equal to 96 mg/dl)". Iron level: Iron can be a very potent oxidative stress, excess iron levels can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease. Ideally, ferritin levels should be monitored to make sure that they are not much above 80 ng/ml. The simplest way to lower elevated iron level, is to donate blood. If that is not possible, a therapeutic phlebotomy can effectively eliminate the excess iron from our body. Inflammation and Heart Disease I nflammation may promote the growth of plaques , loosen plaque in your arteries and trigger blood clots — the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes. When a blood clot blocks an artery to the heart, you have a heart attack. Thyroid Health and Heart Disease Thyroid hormone (TH) has a fundamental role in cardiovascular homeostasis in both physiological and pathological conditions, influencing cardiac contractility, heart rate, diastolic function and systemic vascular resistance through genomic and non-genomic mediated effects. In heart failure the main alteration of thyroid function is referred to as "low-triiodothyronine syndrome" characterized by decreased total serum (T3) and free T3 with normal levels of thyroxine and thyrotropin. Patients with baseline or new-onset abnormal thyroid function had a higher mortality than those with normal thyroid function, even after controlling for other known mortality predictors. Vascular oxidative stress and inflammation are major determinants of endothelial function. "Endothelial dysfunction is an early predictor of atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular events"! Endothelial dysfunction is a type of non-obstructive coronary artery disease in which there are no heart artery blockages, but the large blood vessels on the heart's surface constrict (narrow) instead of dilating (opening). This condition tends to affect more women than men and causes chronic chest pain. Thyroid hormone (TH) has a fundamental role in cardiovascular homeostasis in both physiological and pathological conditions, influencing cardiac contractility, heart rate, diastolic function and systemic vascular resistance through genomic and non-genomic mediated effects. In heart failure the main alteration of thyroid function is referred to as "low-triiodothyronine syndrome" characterized by decreased total serum (T3) and free T3 with normal levels of thyroxine and thyrotropin. Patients with baseline or new-onset abnormal thyroid function had a higher mortality than those with normal thyroid function, even after controlling for other known mortality predictors. Vascular oxidative stress and inflammation are major determinants of endothelial function. "Endothelial dysfunction is an early predictor of atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular events"! Endothelial dysfunction is a type of non-obstructive coronary artery disease in which there are no heart artery blockages, but the large blood vessels on the heart's surface constrict (narrow) instead of dilating (opening). This condition tends to affect more women than men and causes chronic chest pain. Additional indicators to assess heart disease risk

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Eye Strain is the prime contributor to eye sight deterioration. The proposed practices contribute to eye relaxation and improved eye sight. GLASSSES, CONTACT LENSES AND LASIK Page Content: Glasses Lutein’s Action to Reduce Myopia Lutein Enrichment of the Eyes Contact Lenses Risks of LAS IK Related Linked Pages: Cataract and Eye Floaters Dry Eyes Eye Strain Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration Lazy Eye Back To Eyes Glasses Glasses Almost 100% of those living in modern environment experience eye problems at some point in their lives, definitely more so at an older age. Over three out of four people believe that their sight is the most important sense they have. This is probably related to the fact that about 80% of what we perceive through our senses comes in through our sight. Good eyesight plays a crucial role in our mobility and enjoyment of life so it would certainly make sense to optimize our eyesight as much as possible without the use of artificial and unnatural aids that will only worsen our vision with continued use. " Several studies indicate that the prevalence of myopia (nearsightedness) is increasing in the U.S. and worldwide, and researchers project that the trend will continue in the coming decades. Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back. Instead of focusing images on the retina—the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye—images are focused at a point in front of the retina. As a result, people with myopia have good near vision but poor distance vision. It is due to changes in the shape of your eye, the shape of the cornea and/or changes in the lens due to aging. "Studies reveal that high levels of screen time are associated with around a 30% higher risk of myopia. And combined with excessive computer use, this increases the risk to around 80% by altering the structure of the eyeball" Diagram of eye with myopia. Image National Eye Institute About 41.6 percent of Americans are nearsighted , up from 25 percent in 1971. “The trend appears to be upwards in many other parts of the world, but the changes have been nowhere near as spectacular as in East and Southeast Asia,” said Ian Morgan, Ph.D., a myopia researcher at Australian National University. In the developed countries of East and Southeast Asia, the prevalence has now reached 80 to 90 percent among children with 12 years of school. Projections suggest that almost 50 percent of the world will be myopic by 2050. Excessive screen time also causes the glands that keep your eyes moist to atrophy (waste away of body tissue), resulting in painful dry eyes. Melatonin and lutein are important for eye health. Lutein in particular has been shown to significantly reduce your risk for myopia. Lutein’s Action to Reduce Myopia Lutein, a carotenoid found in high concentrations in the retina and lens, is associated with several mechanisms that may help reduce the risk and progression of myopia: Acting as a powerful antioxidant, increasing macular pigment density, supporting healthy eye development, filtering harmful blue light, and possibly stimulating hyaluronic acid production. These actions collectively help protect the retina and maintain the structural integrity of the eye, thereby lowering the risk and progression of myopia [References 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ] Lutein Enrichment of the Eyes Eat more green leafy vegetables (especially kale and spinach), combine them with healthy fats for better absorption, consider supplements if needed, and aim for at least 10 mg of lutein daily for optimal eye health [References 1 , 2 , 3] Yet, another most important prevention strategy , appears to be spending more time outdoors in natural daylight and cutting screen time. Eyeglasses Actually WORSEN Your Vision! Glasses Only Treat the Symptoms, In today's "spinning door" world of managed healthcare, it's no surprise that most doctors will simply prescribe glasses or even surgery right off the bat. And let's face it - they've been trained to treat vision that way and they're not about to change overnight. So if they tell you there's "nothing else you can do" and "no other way" to improve your eyesight, keep this in mind before you decide: Stronger eyeglasses do nothing to address the underlying root of vision health, nor do they protect your eyes from the ever-continuing onslaught of free radical damage. Contact Lenses Don't be misled to believe that contact lenses are a good benign alternative. They certainly are not a natural solution. And there's no way you were ever designed to wear them. Believe me -- I spent over 5 years researching all forms of vision improvement to not only help you, but to solve my own vision problem as well. I am convinced that contacts can be an even worse solution than glasses. Here are the main issues that you may want to consider when you evaluate the pros and cons of contact lenses and why we recommend you to avoid them: Contact lenses: Are inconvenient to use, can be uncomfortable to you with a poor fit Create recurring expenses for replacements, solutions, and check-ups Can be difficult for you to keep clean and disinfected Can potentially lead to irritation and abrasion of your cornea May deprive your covered cornea of necessary oxygen Dry out your eyes and may cause eye and eyelid infections Subject you to irritation from dust, pollutants, and allergens May interfere with your normal blinking and tearing Potentially distort the shape of your cornea, impacting your vision But there is an even more concerning issue with contact lenses -- the lens solutions and cleansers necessary for their use. Fungal eye infections causing potential blindness forced some companies to withdraw their cleansers from the marketplace. Well-established companies such as Bausch and Lomb and Advanced Medical Optics, to name two, faced recall issues on their lens solutions. So, if you have any doubt about using contact lenses, this is certainly an additional serious concern. Due to injury and even death, law-suits have been filed against at least one of the cleanser producers. Risk of LASIK Warning: LASIK May Cause You MORE Problems than Improvement, the latest laser technology can slice and dice your cornea, reshaping it through computer-driven instruments to correct refractive error. Wouldn't it be wonderful if a simple surgery could provide a simple quick fix? I know many of you have considered LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) surgery. The challenge is that for many, LASIK produces amazing results in the short term. But what people fail to consider is the long-term perspective. Recent studies raised further questions on the safety and efficacy of laser surgery for improving sight. Most patients do not even recover 20/20 vision. The long-term view is not much better. Even for those who initially attain "perfect" 20/20 eyesight, the improvement diminishes for many after six months, requiring the use of glasses for such tasks as night driving or reading. And the costs? Most insurance companies still do not cover the procedure. Here are a few examples of the pricing and option complexities you face: $2,105 for all laser-based vision correction procedures in which a single price is quoted. $1,662 for non-customized LASIK using a bladed instrument (microkeratome) and excimer lasers not guided by wavefront analysis. $2,341 for wavefront-guided LASIK using IntraLase. Even more troubling is your risk of complications and side effects from botched or problematic LASIK surgery -- many of which have been downplayed to the general public. Even though the FDA is supportive of LASIK surgery, their own website on LASIK surgery raises the following risks you should be aware of: Some patients lose vision -- Some patients lose lines of vision on the vision chart that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery as a result of treatment Some patients develop debilitating visual symptoms -- Some patients develop glare, halos, and/or double vision that can seriously affect nighttime vision You may be under-treated or over-treated -- Only a certain percent of patients achieve 20/20 vision without glasses or contacts. You may require additional treatment, but additional treatment may not be possible Some patients may develop severe dry eye syndrome -- As a result of surgery, your eye may not be able to produce enough tears to keep the eye moist and comfortable. This condition may be permanent Results are generally not as good in patients with very large refractive errors of any type -- You should discuss your expectations with your doctor and realize that you may still require glasses or contacts after the surgery For some farsighted patients, results may diminish with age -- The level of improved vision you experience after surgery for farsightedness may decrease with age Long-term data are not available -- LASIK is a relatively new technology. Therefore, the long-term safety and effectiveness of LASIK surgery is not known. Contact Lenses Risk of lasik Lutein’s Action to Reduce Myopia Lutein Enrichment of the Eyes

CURCUMIN Page Content: Background Curcumin Consumption - Prime Issues To Consider Low Concentration of curcumin in the turmeric plant Limited absorption of curcumin through the intestine Recommended Daily Curcumin 95 Intake Practice Faking/diluting the original raw material Curcumin Benefits Anti-inflammatory properties Antioxidant effects Potential pain relief Supports joint health Brain health Heart health Digestive health Background Curcumin is the main active ingredient in the turmeric plant and is extracted from the root of the plant. Curcumin belongs to the curcumonoid family, which are pigments from the polyphenol family that give turmeric its characteristic orange and yellow hues. Curcumin is the most important antioxidant in the turmeric plant and thousands of scientific studies have shown its effectiveness for a variety of different health conditions. It is known to the general public mainly as a powerful anti-inflammatory, but many studies have also found a beneficial effect on blood lipid levels, anti-cancer activity, reducing the risk of heart disease , and more as described below. Curcumin Consumption - Prime Issues To Consider There are three prime issues to consider if you want to enjoy the many health benefits of curcumin: The concentration of curcumin in the turmeric plant is very low, only about 5%. The absorption of curcumin through the intestine is very limited and therefore its bioavailability is very low. The "incentive" of the curcumin manufacturers and the sub-suppliers of the raw materials, to fake and dilute the original raw material with other cheap materials. Low Concentration of curcumin in the turmeric plant In some of the studies done on animals, it even turned out that only 1% of the curcumin was absorbed from the digestive system into the bloodstream and the rest was excreted in the feces. For these reasons it is not possible to consume proper amounts of curcumin by using turmeric spice or fresh turmeric root which is found in almost every home today. This problem led to the development of technological methods that make it possible to extract from the turmeric root a very high concentration of 95% curcumin instead of the aforementioned 5%. This raw material is called curcumin 95% and it is the one found in most of the various curcumin supplements. Limited absorption of curcumin through the intestine Various technologies have been developed to improve the low absorption. Simplest and most popular is the addition of Piperine. " Concomitant administration of piperine 20 mg produced much higher concentrations from 0.25 to 1 h post drug (P < 0.01 at 0.25 and 0.5 h; P < 0.001 at 1 h), the increase in bioavailability was 2000%". Considering that "Black pepper (P. nigrum L.) contained a piperine concentration range of 2,531–8,073 mg/100 g, with a mean concentration of 4,418 ± 946 mg/100 g", you will need about 1-2 g of black pepper to get your 20+ mg of piperine to improve the bioavailability of your curcumin intake. Recommended Daily Curcumin 95 Intake Practice Studies typically use doses of 500–2,000 mg of curcumin per day, often in the form of an extract with a curcumin concentration that is much higher than the amounts naturally occurring in foods. This reference suggests " 1,000mg of 95% Standardized Curcuminoids per serving of 2g providing you with all the benefit you know from turmeric in high potency form like 95% Curcuminoids" For better body absorption, (as explained above), the standard recommendation is to use about 20 mg of piperine (the active compound in black pepper) per 2 grams of curcumin 95, which translates to about 1 gram of black pepper. Faking/diluting the original raw material The most sophisticated and common forgery is the addition of synthetic curcumin produced from the remains of petrochemical fuels. The use of synthetic curcumin was documented for the first time starting in 2010 when the global demand for curcumin increased at once by hundreds and even thousands of percents and there was a great shortage in the supply of natural curcumin. Synthetic curcumin is significantly cheaper to produce, compared to extracting natural curcumin from the root itself, and is therefore a source of economic attraction for counterfeiters. To illustrate: in 2017, the raw material price of natural curcumin was about $150 per kg, while synthetic curcumin was sold at a price of about $50 per kg. It is important to explain: The regulation and standards do not differentiate between natural curcumin and synthetic curcumin, therefore there is no reporting obligation or obligation to indicate on the label whether the curcumin is of natural or synthetic origin. The fraud is when a manufacturer or consumer is supplied with a curcumin supplement when the customer is sure that he is consuming the natural molecule extracted from the turmeric root and does not imagine that his curcumin was extracted from oil and there was never a connection between his curcumin and the turmeric plant. Is synthetic curcumin dangerous? The American FDA issued a statement that there is no similarity between synthetic curcumin and natural curcumin (which is extracted from the turmeric root) and that there is no information regarding its safety and effectiveness of the synthetic curcumin. A guiding document published by the FDA in 2016, says that a synthetic copy of a molecule found in the plant world is prohibited for use as part of nutritional supplements. The FDA also writes (see on page 38 ) that a synthetic molecule produced in a laboratory, even if its structure is the same as a natural molecule, but it was never part of any plant or fungus, cannot be considered a nutritional ingredient. Bottomline for this herbal purity issue - buy your curcumin 95 from trusted sources that provide some evidence to the source of their product. Backgroud Curcumin Consumption - Prime Issues To Consider Low Concentration of curcumin in the turmeric plant Limited absorption of curcumin through the intestine Faking/diluting the original raw material Curcumin Benefits Recommended Daily Curcumin 95 Intake Practice Curcumin Benefits Anti-inflammatory properties : Curcumin is known for its potent anti-inflammatory effects. Chronic inflammation is linked to various diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions. Curcumin may help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of these diseases. Antioxidant effects : Curcumin has strong antioxidant properties, which means it can help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals can damage cells and contribute to aging and disease. By scavenging these free radicals, curcumin may help protect against oxidative stress and related damage. Potential pain relief : Some studies suggest that curcumin may have analgesic (pain-relieving) effects, which could make it beneficial for conditions like arthritis and other inflammatory-related pain disorders. Supports joint health : Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin may help alleviate symptoms of joint pain and stiffness associated with conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Brain health : There is emerging research suggesting that curcumin may have neuroprotective effects and could potentially help in the prevention or management of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Heart health : Curcumin may help support cardiovascular health by improving endothelial function, lowering cholesterol levels, and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, all of which are important factors in maintaining heart health. Digestive health : Curcumin may support digestive health by promoting the production of bile, which aids in the digestion of fats, and by exerting anti-inflammatory effects in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. It's important to note that while there is promising research supporting the health benefits of curcumin, more studies are needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and effectiveness in various health conditions. Additionally, the bioavailability of curcumin can be relatively low, so formulations like Curcumin 95, which are standardized to contain a higher percentage of curcuminoids, may offer better absorption and efficacy compared to regular turmeric supplements. As with any supplement, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting to ensure it's appropriate for your individual health needs and to discuss potential interactions with medications or existing health conditions. Anti-inflammatory properties Antioxidant effects Potential pain relief Supports joint health Brain health Heart health Digestive health

We offer, the lowest price for quality fresh aloe vera leaves. Here we provide scientific, unbiased reliable aloe vera herbal healing information about recipes and their applications. Related Linked Pages: Aloe Leaves Aloe As Herbal Remedy Aloe Scientific Studies Aloe Daily Diet PREVENTION ALOE VERA Page content: Processed vs raw fresh aloe Pasteurization Father Romano Zago and his books Aloin related scientific studies Is aloin toxic Once you discover the difference of fresh aloe from its various processed derivatives, you will not look back - be it hair recovery and growth, BPH, many skin problems, burns and the list goes on. We strongly recommend that you make it part of your daily diet. DAVID'S HEALTH SECRET “Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.”Song of Solomon 4:14 Processed vs raw fresh aloe PROCESSED VS RAW FRESH ALOE Pasteurization The market is flooded with aloe juices, and gels that are so-called "FRESH". The problem is that all of these products, which are sold through various marketing channels, may have been passed through forceful extraction of shredders pulverizers and the like, pasteurized, aloin extraction and decolorization using activated carbon, and contain additives of some sort such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to be so-called "enriched". Last but not least, remember that food processing equipment and manual handling require the use of various chemicals for aseptic sterilization. Pasteurization is a process in which packaged and non-packaged foods (such as milk and fruit juice) are treated with mild heat, usually to less than 100 °C (212 °F), to eliminate pathogens and extend shelf life . The process is intended to destroy or deactivate organisms and enzymes that contribute to spoilage or risk of disease, including vegetative bacteria, but not bacterial spores. Here is what ChatGPT has to say about Pasteurization: "Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in living organisms. They are sensitive to temperature, and excessive heat can denature them, meaning it disrupts their structure and function. In pasteurization, while the intention is to kill harmful microorganisms, some of the enzymes in the fruit juice may also be affected, leading to changes in flavor, color, and nutritional content." Activated carbon Decolorization and Aloin removal processing is yet another aloe leaf processing that cuts the aloin content in the aloe gel of the fresh leaf, from 10,000 - 20,000 ppm to less than 10 ppm. Problem is that some of the most potent anti-inflammatory qualities of the aloe leaf are in its aloin element "The present results indicate that aloin and aloe-emodin possibly suppress the inflammatory responses" [REF ], "The most relevant antioxidants present in Aloe plants are aloin" [REF ]. There are many scientific studies and other claims that aloin is toxic! Is it? Learn more below . To sum it in short - it's all a matter of the dosage used! Drinking a glass of aloe gel smoothie after removing the aloe skin as we demonstrate on this page cuts the aloin content to marginal if at all. Other so-called aloe products are formulated from aloe powder (of dried extract) which also contains only a small fraction of the huge variety of beneficial ingredients that are contained in the fresh aloe leaves (read more ). Read more - enzyme destructio n in blenders . These processing techniques are not just “words” they make a lot of a difference between the benefits of the raw gel and aloin of the leaf at the time of extraction, and their derivative products after going through industrial processing. Aloe enzymes are the most sensitive to these pro cessing stages , but still they are most important in their contribution to our digestive system "essential enzymes, which stimulate digestion and liver functions" [REF ]! Enzymes are essential for healthy digestion and a healthy body. They work with other chemicals in the body, such as stomach acid and bile, to help break down food into molecules for a wide range of bodily functions. This scientific article that tested the action of Aloe vera on the profiles of enzymes associated with carcinogen metabolism and antioxidant status regulation in mice CONCLUDES: "Out of the various aloe vera processing stages, pasteurization is the most destructive in its impact on the enzyme content of the finished product, when compared to the content of the raw aloe vera leaves." Father Romano Zago - his books and recipes FATHER ROMANO ZAGO - HIS BOOKS AND RECIPES Raw fresh aloe leaves are the key ingredient of Father Romano Zago’s recipe in his books “ Cancer Can Be Cured ” and " Aloe Isn’t a Medicine and Yet...It Cures !" What is so special about Fa ther Zago and his books? Trust Worthy We consider Father Zago an unbiased , reliable source of information motivated by the wish to share the aloe therapeutic powers as experienced by him and his colleagues and supported by numerous scientific studies to which he includes as references in his books Trusted, Unbiased Personal Experience “I put my trust in experience, the teacher of life. Only this could safely and objectively teach me what the ideal recipe was to be.” ("Cancer Can Be Cured" P. 36) Herbal Therapy In his two books, “Cancer can be cured” and “Aloe isn’t medicine, and yet . . . it Cures.” Father Zago demonstrates his conviction in the powers of herbal therapy - a conviction that we strongly share with him. Scientifically Proven Father Zago is exceptionally meticulous to present scientific evidence with references to studies that corroborate his own "field" experience and the testimonials of his patients and associates. Scientific studies and father Romano Zago's own experience show that his therapeutic recipe that includes raw fresh aloe leaves, raw - quality honey, and alcohol ( read more here ) should become a daily supplement in every north american home . quality honey and alcohol can be found in almost any grocery, but fresh aloe arborescens (aloe in short) leaves are simply not available (unless you grow it yourself). frozen aloe vera barbadensis (aloe vera in short) leaves are a very good alternative to the aloe arborescens leaves! here is why: Freezing the leaves on the same day that they are harvested, preserves all their nutritional ingredients. NOTE! Scientific studies showed that in order to avoid the loss of biological activity of aloe leaves, any processing (including home processing) of the leaves must be completed within 36 h of their harvesting. Notice! Shipping and storage of fresh aloe vera leaves sold in groceries take many days (and often times - weeks) causing significant degradation of their beneficial ingredients ( Read more , Watch more ). Dr. Ivan Danhof, MD, Ph.D. in his paper " The Therapeutic Components in Aloe Vera " attributes most of the aloe vera beneficial therapeutic properties to the polysaccharides which are 2.4 times richer in the aloe vera leaf's skin when compared to their content in the leaf's gel (Read more on the aloe vera leaf structure here ) ! Many other studies have shown the significant beneficial ingredients that are contained in the "aloin" (found in the aloe Latex layer). Read more [ 1 ], [ 2 ], A scientific study that compared the beneficial ingredients of the aloe vera shows that the aloe vera has the same beneficial ingredients as the aloe arborescens but in terms of beneficial ingredients by weight ratio (using whole leaves), aloe vera has 60% more polysaccharides, 43% less aloin and 70% less antioxidants . When we take the top section of the aloe vera leaf which contains much smaller amount of gel - what we call the "gel slim section" and use it for the recipe, we substantially increase the content of the polysaccharides and therefore, the therapeutic potential of the recipe ( Read more here on the two plants and their use ). What are the applications of the frozen al oe vera "gel rich sections"? The applications are numerous! First and foremost, the aloe vera gel contains the glucomannan which hinders tumor cell metastasis (cancer cell growth). Numerous aloe vera users, made the leaves' gel part of their daily diet, as a preventive measure, by preparing smoothies, juices and so many other recipes. Learn more about the best way to extract the gel out of the gel-rich section and prepare yet another healthy juice formula. The results of consuming our aloe leaves are likely to be much better and more dramatic than the proven benefits that have been discovered so far in the research studies as we present in the Scientific Studies page . Aloin related Scientific studies Is aloe toxic? IS ALOIN TOXIC? An extensive review of many scientific studies on the subject of aloin toxicity is presented by Father Zago in his book “Cancer can be cured” on pages 138 - 153. Just one citation brought in this section is copied from the book "Aloe – Myth Magic Medicine", by Odus M. Hennessee and Bill R. Cook, (P.11) that reads:"The sap contains most of the medicinal agents and is much more than a laxative or treatment for minor skin ailments. Some are convinced that the outermost aloe skin has no curative virtues, notwithstanding the fact it contains a large number of nutritional elements, found in the sap and gel. Previous studies have proved that the skin is neither harmful nor dangerous, as many people have claimed. Logic suggests that use of the whole leaf is preferable.” More recent study published by the US National Institutes of Health concludes (see section "3.8.1. Toxicology"): "Until now there are no published controlled in vivo toxicology studies of Aloe vera in humans (Steenkamp and Stewart 2007). In animal studies, Aloe vera-derived ingredients were not found to be toxic in acute oral studies using mice and rats." . In conclusion, the above materials indicate that so far there are no findings that indicate toxic side effects in humans as long as the ingestion and topical application of aloin and the other aloe vera whole leaf ingredients is within the range of Father Zago's recipe and servings (dosage) guidelines. Aloin related scientific studies The leaves peeled skin and its thin layer of gel and aloin is doing wonders when used for topical applications, that require anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral remedies, fighting acne ( Read more ), dark spots , Simple herpes, herpes zoster and numerous other applications, as mentioned in Father Zago's book "Aloe isn't Medicine and Yet...It Cures!" (some of these applications are collected in this paper ). The market is flooded with aloe juices, and gels that are so called "FRESH". The problem is that all of these products, which are sold through various marketing channels, may have been mechanically peeled, pasteurized, passed forceful extraction, decolorized (for aloin removal) and contain additives of some sort to be so called "enriched". Other so called aloe products are formulated from aloe powder (of dried extract) which also contains only a small fraction of the huge variety of beneficial ingredients that are contained in the fresh aloe leaves ( read more ). BOTTOM LINE: MAKE SURE THAT THE ALOE PRODUCT YOU USE IS STRICTLY NATURAL AND FRESH WITH ALL THE BENEFITS THAT THE ALOE PLANT HAS PROVED TO ENCAPSULATE!

Dry eyes is a very common eye condition. Prescribed blinking and relaxation practices in this page, proved to be very effective to resolve this condition. Dry Eyes Page Content: The Problem Symptoms Practices For Dry Eyes Relaxation Practice Castor Oil for Dry Eyes Castor Oil Usage Related Linked Pages: Glasses, Contact Lenses, LASIK Cataract and Eye Floaters Lazy Eye Eye Strain Glaucoma Back To Eyes The Problem In recent years, dry eyes became a very common and worrying phenomena. Dry eyes will worsen as a result of eye dysfunction. Eye "wetness" must be maintained for good eye health and vision. Your tears protect the surface of your eyes from infection. Without adequate tears, you may have an increased risk of eye infection. Damage to the surface of your eyes. If left untreated, severe dry eyes may lead to eye inflammation, abrasion of the corneal surface, corneal ulcer and vision problems. Would you expect an organ without sufficient movement and an organ that strains too much to be balanced? The way we live affects our eyes, the result is that our eyes are in little movement, the existing movement is not continuous and does not include all Movement options (directions of view). Movement wets the eyes! We do not blink enough. Blink activates the glands that are responsible for wetting the eyes! We live in air-conditioned rooms. Air conditioners dry the mucous membranes and eyes! We watch screens and computers for many hours. Effort of close-up vision dries the eyes! We are not in nature and in open areas that allow the eyes to be relaxed. Effort dries the eyes! In addition, the use of eyeglasses allow for clear vision, but prevents the eyes from full movement and also creates a state of slight blinking. Glasses cause dryness in the eyes as a result of the degeneration of free and natural eye movement! SYMPTOMS A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes. Stringy mucus in or around your eyes. Sensitivity to light. Eye redness. A sensation of having something in your eyes. Difficulty wearing contact lenses. Difficulty with night-time driving. Watery eyes, which is the body's response to the irritation of dry eyes. It is unfortunate that conventional medicine has only one way which is eye drops or some surgical treatment. At the end, the treatment is solely for the symptom and not for the problem itself. There are a lot of causes for dry eyes , one of the significant causes is lack of movement in the visual system. Most of us, including children, including infants, including younger, older people, of all ages, suffer from dry eyes as a result of lack of eye movement, as a result of wearing glasses or prolonged staring at screens. Can you pay attention to whether you are blinking or not blinking? The blink is a very, very gentle movement, hardly noticeable. When we focus on a certain thing that is very interesting to us then we completely stop this action, almost completely. We lower the number of blinks, it should be between 15 and 25 times a minute, and we may blink two or three times a minute, we are constantly with our eyes wide open, mind you - no eye movement. Once there is no movement of the eyelid, the glands that are upstairs do not actually wet your eyes, and then you start to suffer from very dehydration of the eyes. And if you wear glasses, the action of blinking is disabled further, or its number decreases significantly. The glasses themselves almost completely stop the blinking action because they provide you with the focus you need, but the effort to focus does not allow the eyes to actually open and close and eye dryness follows. Just like any other joint or any other organ in our body that is in motion, this motion has to be "practiced"! For example the joint of the shoulder, if it is not in motion then it does not get wet and then you start problems of degeneration in the shoulder joint. The same goes for the pelvic joints, if you do not move the pelvic joints - walking for example, then these joints also degenerate and dry out and to the point that we have to replace the joints. Note! prolonged reading, prolonged screen watching, and so forth are all near sight, and the eyes were not developed for near sight, for extended periods of time, and if you force them so, they start to suffer! Eyes start to suffer, you better response by starting to blink! Dry eyes is a problem that could be resolved, with the exercises listed below: Note: Eye drops for dryness are a momentary solution, but in the long run ignoring the eyes creates sickness and suffering of the eyes. Symptoms Practices fo dry eyes The Problem Relaxation practice Practices For Dry Eyes: Blinking should be every three or four seconds. One, two, three, one, two, three, four, one, two, three, four, five, say. Enough, blink every five seconds, but do not blink every 30 seconds or every 20 seconds because then your eyes actually stare. Speaking of movement, our eyes are very fond of a wide movement round, for spaces, for distances, observe in all directions. And once we stare at the screens or if we are with glasses they are actually giving us this service of seeing in our place, that's what glasses do. Playing with a ball provides and allows movement to all distances, to height, to the sides, to all directions. And movement creates life in the eyes and body, lack of movement eventually creates degeneration for eye diseases. Relaxation For Dry Eyes Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Inhale, raise your eyebrows and exhale, narrow your eyes. Start with short and gentle exercises, prolong them over time. Repeat this exercise several times per day. Try this exercise whenever the eyes feel dry. For an extra help to the eyes, put a wet, towel in the fridge, and occasionally take the towel and gently leave the wet towel for 10, 15 or 20 seconds on the eyes. It will lower your swelling, provide fluids at a really high level if you cool your eyes with it. Repetitions should be practiced as prescribed in each of the above sections of "How to apply". 5.0 1 Reviews average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Reviews Reviews Castor Oil For Dry Eyes The use of castor oil for dry eyes is recommended because of its antioxidant and emollient properties and ability to promote circulation. Castor oil is rich in rolic acid a fatty acid with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Scientific studies demonstrated the effectiveness of castor oil for dry eyes and Blepharitis . Castor Oil Usage Use , castor oil that is organic, 100% pure, cold-pressed, unrefined, hexane-free - no preservatives, fragrances or additives,Premium pharmaceutical (USP - United States Pharmacopeia) grade. Application: Apply 1 drop of castor oil to the inner canthus of each eye nightly at bedtime, with the goal of allowing the oil to work overnight without the temporary side effect of blurred vision. Alternatively, wipe one drop of castor oil over the eyelid. Concurrent support includes contrast hydrotherapy in the form of alternating warm and cool compresses to the eyes, which help increase blood flow and further improve nutrient delivery and waste removal. Castor Oil for Dry Eyes 5.0 1 Reviews average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Reviews Reviews Castor Oil Usage

Heart health and the contribution of the microbiome and diet to its maintanence. Info on heart health with respect to collesterol and statins. Detoxification Page Content: First Step In Detoxification - Avoidance Broccoli - Top Food To Detoxify Chewing - A Must For Broccoli Sprouts Digestion Be Careful with Zeolite and Its Various Derivatives First Step In Detoxification - Avoidance Detoxification is a process that has to start with AVOIDANCE! This is the first and foremost effective strategy for detoxification. First Step In Detoxification - Avoidance “Avoidance ” means avoiding continued exposure to toxic chemicals and heavy metals in your food, water, medicine, personal care products, homecleaning products, lawn-care products, pet-care products, and even the air you breathe. Everything you touch, inhale, or consume becomes a part of your physical body. So removing toxic chemicals and poisons from your system must begin with eliminating new exposures to those very poisons. Here are the steps that make up the AVOIDANCE strategy: Identify the sources of your exposure to toxic substances. Note that those corporations that are poisoning you with their toxic medications, toxic food additives, toxic herbicides, and toxic home-care products are precisely the same corporations who insist all of their products are safe and even “green”! learn to how read and understand food labels, educate yourself about hidden toxic chemicals in personal care products, learn about the toxic additives hidden in vaccines and medications, and awaken to the dishonest marketing strategies invoked by corporations to deceive consumers about the supposed safety of their products. Aspartame, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Artificial Colors, Chemical Preservatives, Emulsifiers and Thickening Agents are now part of a widespread contamination of the food we eat.What’s worse, while everyone is focused on fat, calories, carbohydrates, and, in some cases, food preservatives, few are really paying attention to chemicals that may be unlabeled in their groceries or even in the packaging that their food comes in.Problem is that most of these complex lab creations aren’t recognized by the body so they cannot be properly processed. As a result, they often become hazardous to our health.The health risks behind each of the above "INGREDIENTS" are numerous but the bottomline is quite simple TRY TO AVOID PROCESSED FOODS! Reforming your behavior and consumption choices to break the cycle of repeated exposure to those toxins. You have to reforms your own behavior and consumption patterns - avoid purchasing or consuming these products.To begin, this step will require you to go through your entire home medicine cabinets, pantry, refrigerator, garage, laundry room, and so on and throw out the products containing toxic chemicals. Yes, this includes your toxic laundry detergent and dryer sheets, your toxic cough medicine, your toxic weed killers and bug sprays, and even your toxic air fresheners (which actually pollute your air rather than clean it). Tips for Reforming in the Family - (for woman) this step can sometimes stress marriages, so here’s a tip: If you’re a woman reading this, and you want to get your husband on board with the household detox program, just remind him that these toxic chemicals reduce sperm count, diminish male virility, and interfere with male hormones (which is true). Tell him that endocrine disruptors really do promote the “feminization” of males, and pesticides like atrazine really do cause amphibians to develop dual sets of sex organs (both male and female). This knowledge might open your husband’s eyes to a legitimate reason to reduce your household chemical exposure. Tips for Reforming in the Family - (for man) If you’re a man who wants to convince your wife to get on board with the program, explain to her that corporations have been violating our bodies with toxic chemicals that aggressively promote cancers, including breast cancer and ovarian cancer (this is also true). Suggest that one of the best ways to reduce cancer risk is to get the toxic chemicals out of your lives. More information to identify risky products can be found in the Environmental Working Group, a consumer advocacy organization that specializes in identifying toxic chemicals, launched an online database called Skin Deep that provides safety profiles for cosmetics and personal care products, as well as offers tips on how to find the best products. Support your body’s natural detoxification and elimination abilities. Drink plenty of water to help your body eliminate water-soluble toxins. Physical movement is also key, both for circulating lymph, which allows your body to expel metabolic garbage more proficiently, and producing sweat, which eliminates toxins through your skin. However, when you sweat, many of these toxins then get absorbed by your clothing. This is why changing your clothes after a sweaty workout is very important. Add medicinal herbs - It’s also smart to support the healthy function of your detox organs (liver, kidneys, and digestive system) with medicinal herbs, such as yarrow, dandelion, and yellow dock are well known to support liver function. Use superfoods - superfoods like chlorella help support the body’s natural elimination of toxic elements through its ability to remove chemicals and heavy metals. Even everyday foods like beets and white carrots are “liver cleansers” that give the liver added support to carry out its job. Boost your intake of nutritive elements - supporting your body’s detox of toxic elements also requires boosting your body’s intake of nutritive elements. Nearly all people living in Western society today are chronically deficient in vitamin D, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and many other nutrients. Nutritional supplements that help restore the balance of those vitamins and minerals in the body are remarkably safe, effective, and affordable. But the best method for acquiring minerals is to grow them into your own food, and then eat that food. Broccoli - Top Food To Detoxify Broccoli sprouts are the most concentrated source in nature of glucoraphanin, a substance from the glycosinolate family, which turns in our body into another substance called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is a substance that increases the concentration of the antioxidant glutathione in the blood and in the body' s cells . Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant and a central most powerful toxin neutralizer by excretion through the urine. Eating broccoli sprouts increases the level of glutathione, which increases neutralization and excretion of toxins from the body. So much for the theory. The question is does it work and will eating broccoli sprouts really increase the excretion of toxins in the urine? In 2012, researchers from China tested on 50 people, whether the consumption of broccoli sprouts would increase the urinary excretion of pollutants in the air. The study was published in the respected medical journal Carcinogenesis. They found that the excretion of several types of toxins, Among them benzene, increased in some people by 20-50% compared to the control group that did not receive broccoli sprouts. Two years later, in 2014 , a larger randomized controlled study of 291 people was published, which found that consumption of broccoli sprouts increased urinary benzene excretion by 61% compared to those who did not consume broccoli sprouts. Five years later, in 2019 , a randomized controlled study with a control group that received a placebo was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It was found that in the group that consumed the most amount of broccoli sprouts there was an increase in the amount of benzene excreted in the urine by 63%. The group that consumed only half the amount consumed by this group, no longer showed a significant increase in urinary benzene excretion. That is, quantity has meaning. Broccoli sprouts must be consumed in large quantities to create a significant effect of increasing the body's ability to neutralize toxins. very important tip regarding the way to eat broccoli sprouts: sulforaphane is formed from glucoraphanin only when there is a break in the cell walls and partitions of the broccoli sprouts and there is a connection between glucoraphanin and the enzyme myrosinase that is on the other side of the partition. This means that a good chew is necessary in order to get the full sulforaphane. Chewing - A Must For Broccoli Sprouts Digestion In a 2011 study , the researchers examined the effect of eating broccoli sprouts on the excretion of toxins in the urine. They found that a lot of chewing increased the excretion of toxins in the urine by about 50%! The excessive chewing resulted in an increased production of sulforaphane which in turn increased the body's ability to neutralize and eliminate toxins. So it is not enough to eat broccoli sprouts, but they must be eaten correctly. Slowly and with lots of chewing. Another option is to add broccoli sprouts to a green smoothie. The blender will also crush the broccoli cells very well and cause the formation of sulforaphane in large quantities. It is highly recommended to use a vacuum blender when preparing a green smoothie in order to preserve the antioxidants that will not oxidize due to the blender's metal knife, which creates friction and a lot of heat during grinding. Aspartame, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Artificial Colors, Chemical Preservatives, Emulsifiers and Thickening Agents are now part of a widespread contamination of the food we eat.What’s worse, while everyone is focused on fat, calories, carbohydrates, and, in some cases, food preservatives, few are really paying attention to chemicals that may be unlabeled in their groceries or even in the packaging that their food comes in.Problem is that most of these complex lab creations aren’t recognized by the body so they cannot be properly processed. As a result, they often become hazardous to our health.The health risks behind each of the above "INGREDIENTS" are numerous but the bottomline is quite simple TRY TO AVOID PROCESSED FOODS! Be Careful with Zeolite and Its Various Derivatives Studies have shown that clinoptilolite-based materials (a natural zeolite ) are good detoxifying materials thanks to clinoptilolite’s remarkable ion-exchange and adsorption properties. It has proven useful in the elimination of a variety of contaminants from the body or in amelioration of the intestinal status. The problem! Beware of powdered zeolites sold alongside claims that they remove heavy metals from your body. All powdered zeolites contain very high concentrations of lead—typically 50,000 ppb and sometimes more—and their aluminum levels are many times higher. Some powdered zeolites were being dishonestly marketed as a daily dietary supplement, pushed by unscrupulous companies that claimed you should “detox daily” by consuming these finely ground rocks containing very high levels of lead and aluminum . Remarkably, one of the primary claims of zeolite marketers was that it removed lead and aluminum from our body. Chewing - A Must For Broccoli Sprouts Digestion Broccoli - Top Food To Detoxify Be Careful with Zeolite and Its Various Derivatives

Product Delivery, Return and Refund Policy Page Content: Delivery Policy Return and Refund Policy The Three-Step Return process Contact Us Our top priority at Halyvera is to help you develop a healthier lifestyle. We stand by our products, and will do our best to provide you with the lowest price on the market when compared to similar products in the same category of quality products as our product offerings. Just contact us, and we will do our best to make you satisfied with your purchase. We’re here for you. Delivery Policy The date of delivery for your order may vary due to carrier shipping practices, delivery location, method of delivery and the quantity of items ordered, and in addition your order may be delivered in separate shipments. You are responsible for all taxes applicable to the delivery of your order, including sales tax, value added tax, custom duties and excise duties. If there is any damage to the items that you ordered on delivery, you must contact us within 5 days from receipt of your order. Return and Refund Policy Customers have 90 days to return unexpired, consumable products. Return within 90 days from the purchase date, and receive a full refund. The customer is responsible for all return shipping costs. Please allow 5 to 10 business days for returns processing. Even if you return an item otherwise eligible to be returned (i.e., an unexpired, consumable product), beyond the return deadline set forth in this Return Policy, we will provide you with a store credit equal to the value of the item returned, minus shipping and restocking costs. The three-step return process: Contact us to obtain a return authorization number. Write the return authorization number on the box, and on the original packing slip inside the box. Ship your return to: Halyvera, Halyvera, 10685-B Hazelhurst Dr. # 33645 Houston, TX 77043, USA Halyvera reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject any return that does not comply with these requirements. Product Delivery Policy Return and Refund Policy Three-Step Return Process Contact Us CONTACT US: 1-213-459-5415, info@halyvera.com

We offer, the lowest price for quality fresh aloe vera leaves. Here we provide scientific, unbiased reliable aloe vera herbal healing information about recipes and their applications. Related Linked Pages: Our Spcial Aloe Offering Aloe Leaves Aloe As Herbal Remedy Aloe Scientific Studies Aloe Daily Diet PREVENTION ALOE VERA UNMATCHED $4.5 per bag of 3 leaves, 54 Oz Organic raw fresh frozen aloe vera; available at a pickup place in your zip code area (home delivery available); soon to be available in every major US metropolitan area Page content: Processed vs raw fresh aloe Pasteurization Father Romano Zago and his books Aloin related scientific studies Is aloin toxic DAVID'S HEALTH SECRET “Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.”Song of Solomon 4:14 Once you discover the difference of fresh aloe from its various processed derivatives, you will not look back - be it hair recovery and growth, BPH, many skin problems, burns and the list goes on. With the price, availability and preparation tips that we bring you, the option of making it part of your daily diet is almost impossible to ignore. Check availability in your area Give Us Directions and We Will Do Our Best To Bring You this Superfood Check Availability in your area Check We Are Rapidly Expanding Our US Nationwide Delivery Service, Leave Us Your Email And We Will Notify You When Our Product Reaches Your Area We would NOT make use of your email for any other purpose (other than notifying you about product availability in your area), and will not release it to any third party! Enter Your Email Submit Processed vs raw fresh aloe Pasteurization PROCESSED VS RAW FRESH ALOE The market is flooded with aloe juices, and gels that are so-called "FRESH". The problem is that all of these products, which are sold through various marketing channels, may have been passed through forceful extraction of shredders pulverizers and the like, pasteurized, aloin extraction and decolorization using activated carbon, and contain additives of some sort such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to be so-called "enriched". Last but not least, remember that food processing equipment and manual handling require the use of various chemicals for aseptic sterilization. Pasteurization is a process in which packaged and non-packaged foods (such as milk and fruit juice) are treated with mild heat, usually to less than 100 °C (212 °F), to eliminate pathogens and extend shelf life . The process is intended to destroy or deactivate organisms and enzymes that contribute to spoilage or risk of disease, including vegetative bacteria, but not bacterial spores. Here is what ChatGPT has to say about Pasteurization: "Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in living organisms. They are sensitive to temperature, and excessive heat can denature them, meaning it disrupts their structure and function. In pasteurization, while the intention is to kill harmful microorganisms, some of the enzymes in the fruit juice may also be affected, leading to changes in flavor, color, and nutritional content." Activated carbon Decolorization and Aloin removal processing is yet another aloe leaf processing that cuts the aloin content in the aloe gel of the fresh leaf, from 10,000 - 20,000 ppm to less than 10 ppm. Problem is that some of the most potent anti-inflammatory qualities of the aloe leaf are in its aloin element "The present results indicate that aloin and aloe-emodin possibly suppress the inflammatory responses" [REF ], "The most relevant antioxidants present in Aloe plants are aloin" [REF ]. There are many scientific studies and other claims that aloin is toxic! Is it? Learn more below . To sum it in short - it's all a matter of the dosage used! Drinking a glass of aloe gel smoothie after removing the aloe skin as we demonstrate on this page cuts the aloin content to marginal if at all. Other so-called aloe products are formulated from aloe powder (of dried extract) which also contains only a small fraction of the huge variety of beneficial ingredients that are contained in the fresh aloe leaves (read more ). Read more - enzyme destructio n in blenders . These processing techniques are not just “words” they make a lot of a difference between the benefits of the raw gel and aloin of the leaf at the time of extraction, and their derivative products after going through industrial processing. Aloe enzymes are the most sensitive to these pro cessing stages , but still they are most important in their contribution to our digestive system "essential enzymes, which stimulate digestion and liver functions" [REF ]! Enzymes are essential for healthy digestion and a healthy body. They work with other chemicals in the body, such as stomach acid and bile, to help break down food into molecules for a wide range of bodily functions. This scientific article that tested the action of Aloe vera on the profiles of enzymes associated with carcinogen metabolism and antioxidant status regulation in mice CONCLUDES: "Out of the various aloe vera processing stages, pasteurization is the most destructive in its impact on the enzyme content of the finished product, when compared to the content of the raw aloe vera leaves." THIS IS WHAT MAKES OUR ALOE SO SPECIAL, IT IS STRICTLY NATURAL AND FRESH WITH ALL THE BENEFITS THAT THE ALOE PLANT HAS PROVED TO ENCAPSULATE! Father Romano Zago - his books and recipes FATHER ROMANO ZAGO - HIS BOOKS AND RECIPES Raw fresh aloe leaves are the key ingredient of Father Romano Zago’s recipe in his books “ Cancer Can Be Cured ” and " Aloe Isn’t a Medicine and Yet...It Cures !" What is so special about Fa ther Zago and his books? Trust Worthy We consider Father Zago an unbiased , reliable source of information motivated by the wish to share the aloe therapeutic powers as experienced by him and his colleagues and supported by numerous scientific studies to which he includes as references in his books Trusted, Unbiased Personal Experience “I put my trust in experience, the teacher of life. Only this could safely and objectively teach me what the ideal recipe was to be.” ("Cancer Can Be Cured" P. 36) Herbal Therapy In his two books, “Cancer can be cured” and “Aloe isn’t medicine, and yet . . . it Cures.” Father Zago demonstrates his conviction in the powers of herbal therapy - a conviction that we strongly share with him. Scientifically Proven Father Zago is exceptionally meticulous to present scientific evidence with references to studies that corroborate his own "field" experience and the testimonials of his patients and associates. Scientific studies and father Romano Zago's own experience show that his therapeutic recipe that includes raw fresh aloe leaves, raw - quality honey, and alcohol ( read more here ) should become a daily supplement in every north american home . quality honey and alcohol can be found in almost any grocery, but fresh aloe arborescens (aloe in short) leaves are simply not available (unless you grow it yourself). our fresh, frozen aloe vera barbadensis (aloe vera in short) leaves are a very good alternative to the aloe arborescens leaves! here is why: Freezing the leaves on the same day that they are harvested, preserves all their nutritional ingredients. NOTE! Scientific studies showed that in order to avoid the loss of biological activity of aloe leaves, any processing (including home processing) of the leaves must be completed within 36 h of their harvesting. Notice! Shipping and storage of fresh aloe vera leaves sold in groceries take many days (and often times - weeks) causing significant degradation of their beneficial ingredients ( Read more , Watch more ). Dr. Ivan Danhof, MD, Ph.D. in his paper " The Therapeutic Components in Aloe Vera " attributes most of the aloe vera beneficial therapeutic properties to the polysaccharides which are 2.4 times richer in the aloe vera leaf's skin when compared to their content in the leaf's gel (Read more on the aloe vera leaf structure here ) ! Many other studies have shown the significant beneficial ingredients that are contained in the "aloin" (found in the aloe Latex layer). Read more [ 1 ], [ 2 ], A scientific study that compared the beneficial ingredients of the aloe vera shows that the aloe vera has the same beneficial ingredients as the aloe arborescens but in terms of beneficial ingredients by weight ratio (using whole leaves), aloe vera has 60% more polysaccharides, 43% less aloin and 70% less antioxidants . When we take the top section of the aloe vera leaf which contains much smaller amount of gel - what we call the "gel slim section" and use it for the recipe, we substantially increase the content of the polysaccharides and therefore, the therapeutic potential of the recipe ( Read more here on the two plants and their use ). EACH BAG OF OUR PRODUCT CONTAINS 3 ALOE VERA LEAVES: 3 gel slim sections (the section next to the tip of the leaf), to be used as described above, for Father Romano Zago's recipe, 3 gel rich sections (the sections closer to the base of the leaf). What are the applications of the frozen al oe vera "gel rich sections"? The applications are numerous! First and foremost, the aloe vera gel contains the glucomannan which hinders tumor cell metastasis (cancer cell growth). Numerous aloe vera users, made the leaves' gel part of their daily diet, as a preventive measure, by preparing smoothies, juices and so many other recipes. Learn more about the best way to extract the gel out of the gel-rich section and prepare yet another healthy juice formula. The results of consuming our aloe leaves are likely to be much better and more dramatic than the proven benefits that have been discovered so far in the research studies as we present in the Scientific Studies page . Aloin related Scientific studies Aloin related scientific studies The leaves peeled skin and its thin layer of gel and aloin is doing wonders when used for topical applications, that require anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral remedies, fighting acne ( Read more ), dark spots , Simple herpes, herpes zoster and numerous other applications, as mentioned in Father Zago's book "Aloe isn't Medicine and Yet...It Cures!" (some of these applications are collected in this paper ). The market is flooded with aloe juices, and gels that are so called "FRESH". The problem is that all of these products, which are sold through various marketing channels, may have been mechanically peeled, pasteurized, passed forceful extraction, decolorized (for aloin removal) and contain additives of some sort to be so called "enriched". Other so called aloe products are formulated from aloe powder (of dried extract) which also contains only a small fraction of the huge variety of beneficial ingredients that are contained in the fresh aloe leaves ( read more ). THIS IS WHAT MAKES OUR ALOE SO SPECIAL, IT IS STRICTLY NATURAL AND FRESH WITH ALL THE BENEFITS THAT THE ALOE PLANT HAS PROVED TO ENCAPSULATE! Is aloe toxic? IS ALOIN TOXIC? An extensive review of many scientific studies on the subject of aloin toxicity is presented by Father Zago in his book “Cancer can be cured” on pages 138 - 153. Just one citation brought in this section is copied from the book "Aloe – Myth Magic Medicine", by Odus M. Hennessee and Bill R. Cook, (P.11) that reads:"The sap contains most of the medicinal agents and is much more than a laxative or treatment for minor skin ailments. Some are convinced that the outermost aloe skin has no curative virtues, notwithstanding the fact it contains a large number of nutritional elements, found in the sap and gel. Previous studies have proved that the skin is neither harmful nor dangerous, as many people have claimed. Logic suggests that use of the whole leaf is preferable.” More recent study published by the US National Institutes of Health concludes (see section "3.8.1. Toxicology"): "Until now there are no published controlled in vivo toxicology studies of Aloe vera in humans (Steenkamp and Stewart 2007). In animal studies, Aloe vera-derived ingredients were not found to be toxic in acute oral studies using mice and rats." . In conclusion, the above materials indicate that so far there are no findings that indicate toxic side effects in humans as long as the ingestion and topical application of aloin and the other aloe vera whole leaf ingredients is within the range of Father Zago's recipe and servings (dosage) guidelines.

Heart health and the contribution of the microbiome and diet to its maintanence. Info on heart health with respect to collesterol and statins. Toxins At Home Page Content: Our Exposure to Environmental Chemicals The Build-up of Toxins in the Body Prime Sources of Toxins in the Home Plastic (Phthalates) At Home Toxins from Plastic Production Process The Risks Phthalates "Carriers" Removing Phthalates from the Home More about Plastics at Home The Dangers of Cooking and Baking Bags What material is used for the bag Leakage of nano particles from the ba Toxins "Spilled" from the Plastic Bag Cooking/baking bag alternatives Microwave Oven Microwave Oven Dangers The Microwave Heating Action Microwave Side effects Aluminum Foil Health Risks Exposure To Aluminum Aluminum Health Hazards Aluminum Detoxification Cooking without aluminum foil Our Exposure to Environmental Chemicals Our Exposure to Environmental Chemicals In September 2013, the CDC issued its updated fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, detailing more than 201 chemical substances that have been identified in blood serum and urine levels throughout the U.S. population. These can be ingested, absorbed, stored, excreted, metabolized, or bound to other compounds, potentially interacting with, blocking, or amplifying reactions within the body. While many elements, including trace levels of certain minerals, are essential nutrients for catalytic conversions and biological functions, alarming concentrations of toxic forms of these elements have found their way into our lives at a pace that’s wildly out of balance with nature and hazardous to our health and longevity. The Build-up of Toxins in the Body Science now recognizes that these detrimental health effects are triggered by gradually accumulating, minuscule concentrations of toxins through repeated dietary or environmental exposure. The tidal wash of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, fertilizers, preservatives, emulsifiers, and additives across the agricultural practices of the entire Western world - and increasingly the developing world - has contributed to the introduction of known toxins into the environment at apocalyptic levels. They interact with and are absorbed by soils, bodies of water, vegetation, fish, and wildlife. They are absorbed and integrated into plant and animal tissues. As humans, we breathe in these compounds, eat them, drink them, and accumulate them in our bodies. We also excrete them, or their metabolized by-products, back into the environment, furthering the cycle of death and destruction brought on by these toxins. While further research is needed to expand our understanding of exactly how these toxins interact to produce disease and death, there is little debate about the importance of limiting environmental and dietary exposure to these toxins in the first place. Prime Sources of Toxins in the Home Toxins are prevalent in many homes, often found in common household items and products. Some major sources of toxins include: Cleaning products: Many conventional cleaners contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, nitrobenzene, and methylene chloride[2 ]. textile products: Both non-polymeric and polymeric forms of PFAS are used to provide properties such as water repellence, oil repellence, stain resistance, durability and thermal stability. Textiles account for approximately 35% of total global PFAS demand. Furniture and carpets : These can release/transmit chemical compounds, be it through contact (e.g. PFAS used for repelling water and grease ) or through Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released into the air[1 ][2 ]. Dust: House dust can accumulate various toxins, including lead, fire retardants, and pesticides[3 ]. Air fresheners and candles: These often contain harmful chemicals that can pollute indoor air[2 ]. Fabric softeners and dryer sheets: These products may contain toxic substances[2 ]. Reducing toxins in your home: Use non-toxic cleaning products or make your own using vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide[3 ]. Control dust by vacuuming regularly with a HEPA filter, using wet mops, and leaving shoes at the door[4 ]. Choose furniture and household items made from natural materials. Avoid tobacco smoke indoors[5 ]. Test for radon , a colorless, odorless gas that can increase lung cancer risk[5 ]. By taking these steps, you can create a healthier living environment and reduce exposure to potentially harmful substances in your home. Reducing toxins in your home Prime Sources of Toxins in the Home The Build-up of Toxins in the Body Plastic (Phthalates) At Home Plastics (Phthalates) At Home Section Content: Materials from Plastic Production Process The Risks Phthalates "Carriers" Removing Phthalates from the Home More about Plastics at Home Phthalates “Phthalates are a series of widely used chemicals that demonstrate to be endocrine disruptors and are detrimental to human health . Phthalates can be found in most products that have contact with plastics during production, packaging, or delivery. Despite the short half-lives in tissues, chronic exposure to phthalates will adversely influence the endocrine system and functioning of multiple organs, which has negative long-term impacts on the success of pregnancy, child growth and development, and reproductive systems in both young children and adolescents”. Phthalates are not chemically bound to the polymer and can transfer to the surrounding media like air, soil and water within the lifespan of the plastic products, which also changes the mechanical properties of the plastics. As an example, “PVC - amongst the most widely used polymers, contains the highest amounts of additives, with typically about 30% – 35% of phthalates like DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate). The additives are not chemically bound to the polymer and can transfer to the surrounding media like air, soil and water within the lifespan of the plastic products, which also changes the mechanical properties of the plastics”. The field of environmental hormone disruptors is a relatively new field of research in the world of toxicology. For this reason and in light of the unique property of toxicity even at minute doses of individual particles per million or even a billion (which are very, very low concentrations) - there are still no current standards, nor Sufficiently sensitive and available measurement means, which can give both the manufacturers and us the consumers a benchmark for the product's safety Toxins from the production process of plastic products: Monomers and oligomers that did not react in the production process - there is almost always a residual amount of monomers and oligomers (remember? structural units with short and medium molecules), either due to an incomplete chemical process or due to a chemical equilibrium in which there is always a bit of the opposite reaction (decomposition instead of construction) . These substances can have a wide range of toxicity depending on the type of substance due to their high ability to migrate out of the medium of the substance into the food. In the case of the nylons - the monomer caprolactam is found in nylon 6 and is toxic if swallowed , and the monomers found in nylon 6/6 are hexamethylenediamine which is toxic if swallowed , and adipic acid for which there is no indication of toxicity if swallowed (R ead More ). Some are materials that are not there on purpose but originate from an unclean production line. Of course, manufacturers would claim that these toxins are not added to their polymer products, but even if these claims are trustworthy (Read here more on how trustworthy they are), the toxins that are the result of unclean production line, can only be discovered with certainty by an analytical test in a laboratory and unfortunately, the authorities responsible for public health do not perform these tests. Toxins from plastic production process The Risks The Risks This study investigated the associations between allergic symptoms in children and the concentration of phthalate esters in settled dust collected from children’s homes in Sofia and Burgas, Bulgaria. Results: "A higher concentration of DEHP (Di-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate) was found in homes of case children than in those of controls (1.24 vs. 0.86 mg/g dust)"! Babies are at the highest risk for phthalate accumulation. Not only do they tend to put anything in their mouths, especially toys and plastic objects, they are also small in weight and any toxic molecule that gets in has a greater effect relative to their body weight. A 2008 study that measured 9 phthalate metabolites in 163 infants who were born in 2000-2005, has found that “Infant exposure to lotion, powder, and shampoo were significantly associated with increased urinary concentrations of monoethyl phthalate, monomethyl phthalate, and monoisobutyl phthalate, and associations increased with the number of products used. This association was strongest in young infants, who may be more vulnerable to developmental and reproductive toxicity of phthalates given their immature metabolic system capability and increased dosage per unit body surface area”. In a 2013 study published in JAMA Pediatrics, concludes: “Women exposed to phthalates during pregnancy have significantly increased odds of delivering preterm. Steps should be taken to decrease maternal exposure to phthalates during pregnancy”. Notice! The researchers found that women who were in the upper quartile of phthalates in their blood had more than twice the risk of preterm birth compared to women who were in the bottom quartile. The study was conducted in a hospital in Boston when most of the subjects were white, educated and non-smokers. Only a minority of them consumed alcohol during pregnancy. (Smoking and alcohol are long known and proven risk factors for increasing the risk of premature birth). The researchers tested the levels of phthalates in the urine of 482 women. 3 samples were taken from each woman during pregnancy. 130 women gave birth prematurely (birth before week 37 of pregnancy). The researchers identified a statistically significant relationship between phthalate levels among all preterm infants and in cases of spontaneous preterm birth. In this 2014 study the authors start by saying: “There is evidence of declining trends in testosterone levels among men in recent decades, as well as trends in related conditions at multiple life stages and in both sexes”. The study explored the “relationships between urinary concentrations of 13 phthalate metabolites and serum total testosterone levels among men, women, and children when adjusting for important confounders and stratifying by sex and age (6-12, 12-20, 20-40, 40-60, and 60-80 y).” Results: "Multiple phthalates were associated with significantly reduced testosterone in both sexes and in differing age groups. Reported In this research: “We found evidence that reduced levels of circulating testosterone were associated with increased phthalate exposure in several key populations, including boys ages 6-12, and men and women ages 40-60,” said one of the study’s authors, John D. Meeker, MS, ScD, of the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor, MI. “This may have important public health implications, since low testosterone levels in young boys can negatively impact reproductive development, and in middle age can impair sexual function, libido, energy, cognitive function and bone health in men and women.” Phthalates "Carriers" Phthalate in medications : This study , analysed US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years 1999-2004, of the 7,999 persons with information on urinary phthalate concentrations, 6 reported using mesalamine formulations, some of which may include dibutyl phthalate (DBP); the mean urinary concentration of monobutyl phthalate, the main DBP metabolite, among these mesalamine users was 50 times higher than the mean for nonusers (2,257 microg/L vs. 46 microg/L; p < 0.0001)! Phthalate in cosmetics : This study , examined the association between urinary concentrations of nine phthalate metabolites and breast cancer (BC) in Mexican women, that were exposed to the phthalates “used primarily as plasticizers of polyvinyl chloride and as additives in consumer and personal care products”. They conclude “We show for the first time that exposure to diethyl phthalate, the parent compound of MEP, may be associated with increased risk of BC (breast cancer)”. A study done at the prestigious Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and published in 2010 examined the relationship between the mother's exposure to phthalates during pregnancy and the children's behavioral problems and cognitive function, years later, when the children were 4-9 years old. This study concludes : “Behavioral domains adversely associated with prenatal exposure to LMW (Low Molecular Weight) phthalates in our study are commonly found to be affected in children clinically diagnosed with conduct or attention deficit hyperactivity disorders” Phthalates Removal Use only products that are 100% natural for baby hygiene where the line of ingredients is as short as possible! Do not use synthetic products. Be careful with cosmetics. Purchase organic cosmetics and makeup products. Prefer the purchase of games for children made of wood and not plastic and try to make sure that these are unpainted wooden products or those that have been used with ecological paints. Avoid industrial foods that come packaged in plastic packaging. (also good for other reasons), Try to avoid consumption of dairy products (and especially butter in relation to phthalates). Reduce consumption of meat. When eating meat, it is highly desirable that it be organic meat. As mentioned, animal food products are the main source of exposure to phthalates. Try to “cut down” the use of plastic bowls, plastic plates, kitchen utensils, etc. Limit the purchase of new ones, to ones that are made of stainless steel, glass, wood or bamboo (with the hope that the varnish coating the wood and bamboo products does not contain toxic substances). Limit the use of plastic bags for storage, starting with foods (e.g. foods that you put to the frigidaire). Avoid long duration storage of “things” in plastic bags - Phthalates “leakage” is intensified as the bags grow “older”. More about Plastics at Home Bisphenol A (BPA) - Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in some hard, clear plastics such as water bottles and baby bottles and in the lining of food cans. Bisphenols -A and -S are most widely publicized for, and commonly associated with, causing endocrine disruption in living things both human and animal. Disposable Paper Cups : Disposable paper cups are coated with plastics. This study found that: Exposure of the paper cups to hot water triggered the release of microplastics. Ions were added into the water through the hydrophobic liners of the paper cups. The analysis of the liners indicates the presence of heavy metals in them. Surface properties of the liners deteriorated after exposure to hot water. 4 out of 5 disposable paper cups were lined with HDPE grade of plastic. Mineral Water: A study done in Germany and published in 2009 examined the safety of drinking mineral water that comes in plastic bottles, testing if there is no leakage of the plastic components into the water itself. What were the results of the study ? Increased estrogenic activity was found in 7 out of 9 of the water samples that were in plastic bottles. In contrast , only 3 of the 9 water samples in the glass bottles were found to have increased estrogenic activity. All the water samples that were in the cartons (coated on the inside with a layer of plastic) showed a very increased estrogenic activity. A surprising discovery - out of the 4 springs from which the samples were taken, in 2 springs, the water showed estrogenic activity regardless of the type of packaging (plastic or glass). More about Plastics at Home Phthalates Carriers Phthalates Removal The Danger of Cooking and Baking Bags The Danger of Cooking and Baking Bags Section Content: What material is used for the bags Leakage of nano particles from the bag Toxins "Spilled" from the Plastic Bags Cooking/baking bag alternatives What Material is Used for the Bags What material is used for the bags First and foremost, to avoid any misconception, these bags are made out of plastic, and the question discussed below is: Are these bags safe to use ? Given that most Plastic Products Release Estrogenic Chemicals ? Most of the cooking/baking bags are made of polyamides ( nylon ) of two main types: nylon 6 (polycaprolactam) or nylon 6/6 (a completely different material despite the similar name). These types of nylon were chosen for the job due to being resistant to high temperatures (melting temperature of 218 degrees and 264 degrees Celsius for nylon 6 and nylon 6/6 respectively), due to their high vapor permeability and due to their ability to actually absorb water during use (a feature that gives them more strength). The manufacturers of the baking bags do not bother to indicate, neither on the packaging nor on their websites, what exactly they add to the production of the baking bag, therefore we do not have information about this or that brand, but information about baking bags in general. Beware the nanoparticles leakage : Nylon cooking bags and plastic-lined cardboard cups are conveniences many people rely on! , A new study (Published - April 2022) in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology suggests that they are an underappreciated source of nanoparticles. They report that the plastic in these products release trillions of nanometer-sized particles into each liter of water that they come in contact with. That sounds like a lot, but the team notes that these levels are under the regulatory limits for consumption. In summary of the above - the common cooking/baking bags have a high potential for leaking very problematic toxins most notably Phthalates that are endocrine disruptors - acting in the body like hormones! Leakage of plastic nano prticles Toxins "Spilled" from the Plastic Bags Cooking/baking bags alternatives Toxins "Spilled" from the Plastic Bags What did studies that looked for spillage of specific materials from baking bags find? In a 1998 study that was done to test the migration of materials from baking bags of the nylon 6 and nylon 6/6 types, the meat, skin and cooking juices of chicken cooked in the above types of bags were sampled. They tried to identify both volatile and non-volatile substances that migrated from the bags to the food. The study found a significant concentration of monomers and oligomers (seven predefined types of monomers and oligomers were identified) originating from the bags in the chicken meat which accounted for 16% of all the non-volatile substances identified, as well as the presence of a volatile compound - cyclopentyl cyclopentanone! In 1997, The same group of researchers has identified a long list of volatile substances emitted from the aforementioned cooking bags [Cyclopentanone (31.7 mg/bag), cyclopentyl cyclopentanone (17.4 mg/bag), hexadecane (2.6 micrograms/bag), heptadecane (3.2 micrograms/bag), octadecane (3.0 micrograms/bag) and epsilon-caprolactam (5.0-35.5 mg/ bag)], and also that the monomers and oligomers found in the first study mentioned, migrated in a high amount to olive oil heated in the baking bags. Another study from 2007 that examined a specific leakage of antimony (heavy metal) used as a catalyst in the production process of PET plastic used for baking bags, found that half of the products tested released levels of antimony that exceeded the then permitted level of antimony in contact with food. Note, what WIKI writes "An oven bag, cooking bag or roasting bag is a bag used for the roasting of meat or other food in an oven. They may be made of heatproof nylon or sometimes with food grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET)" To sum it up : The studies as presented above show that there is a leakage of toxic substances from cooking/baking bags. Cooking bags alternatives : Oven roasting using heat-resistant dishes with lids such as pyrex, coated clay pots or cast iron pots, tagine, and more, after validating that they comply with the standard for heavy metals and are of high quality. You can also use cotton fabric bags for cooking (with adjustment of the amount of water that you add to the stew). Microwave Oven Microwave Oven Section Content: Microwave Oven Dangers The Microwave Heating Action Microwave Side effects Self experimenting the MICROWAVE OVEN dangers: Fill two small cups of water, Put one of the cups in the microwave oven and boil the water. Pour the other cup into a kettle Boil the water, and pour the water back to the cup. Take two small leafs of parsley and put one in each of the cups. Watch for yourself how long each of the leafs preserved its refresh look in each of the cups. When we did it, the leaf in the cup with water from the microwave oven lost its fresh "look" real fast! Microwave Oven Dangers Excerpts from the book "Timeless Secrets of Health & Rejuvenation" By: Andreas Moritz, Posted: November 20, 2011 — updated 2017 "Did you ever wonder what microwaves can do to water, food and your body? Russian researchers have found decreased nutritional value, cancer-making compounds and brain-damaging radiolytics in virtually all microwave-prepared foods. Eating microwave-prepared meals can also cause loss of memory, concentration, emotional instability and a decline in intelligence, according to the research. The Russian scientists also found decreased nutritional value – or significant dimming of their ‘vital energy field’ – in up to 90 percent of all microwave-prepared foods". This website publishes another article from Andreas Moritz that says : "Microwave Cooked Food Is Nutritionally Deficient ‘Nuclear Waste'. Read this review for more information , In addition, the B complex, C and E vitamins linked with stress-reduction and the prevention of cancer and heart disease, as well as the essential trace minerals needed for optimum brain and body functioning, were all rendered useless by microwaves, even at short cooking durations. Microwave-cooked food is basically reduced to the nutritional equivalent of cardboard. If you don’t want to develop nutrient deficiencies, you may be better off throwing this appliance out of your kitchen. The radiation has been found to accumulate in the kitchen furniture, becoming a constant source of radiation in itself. Microwave usage in the preparation of food has been found to lead to lymphatic disorders and an inability to protect the body against certain cancers. The research found increased rates of cancer cell formation in the blood of people eating microwave-cooked meals. The Russians also reported increased rates of stomach and intestinal cancers, as well as digestive and excretive disorders, plus a higher percentage of cell tumors, including sarcoma. The Microwave Heating Action Microwaves rip apart the molecular bonds that make food to be ‘food’. Microwave ovens hurl high-frequency microwaves that boil the moisture within food and its packaging by whipsawing water molecules dizzyingly back-and-forth at more than a billion reversals per second. This frantic friction fractures food molecules, rearranging their chemical composition into weird, new configurations unrecognizable as food by human bodies. By destroying the molecular structures of food, the body cannot help but turn the food into waste; but not harmless waste, rather ‘nuclear waste’. Microwave Side effects Microwave ovens produce strong microwave radiation. In case that the oven is not highly "encapsulated" to eliminate radiation emission, other than just making food useless and ‘wasteful’, there is a broad spectrum of microwave side effects, as listed in this extensive scientific studies review. To name a few: Adverse neurological effects in the offspring Damage to Mechanisms underlying learning and memory Oxidative stress and apoptosis and the list goes on.... The Russian government had banned microwave ovens for over 50 years, but they were recently introduced to the Russian market (for ‘economic’ reasons). Microwave ovens have taken over the cooking chores in 9 out of 10 American homes, and American and Chinese microwave manufacturers hope that the same will happen in Russia. Reporting for the Forensic Research Document of AREC Research (Agricultural Research and Education Centre ) , William P. Kopp states: “The effects of microwaved food byproducts are long-term, permanent within the human body. Minerals, vitamins, and nutrients of all microwaved food is reduced or altered so that the human body gets little or no benefit, or the human body absorbs altered compounds that cannot be broken down.” The Microwave Heating Action Microwave Side effects Microwave Oven Dangers Aluminum Foil Health Risks Aluminum Foil Health Risks Section Content: Exposure To Aluminum Aluminum Health Hazards Aluminum Detoxification Cooking without aluminum foil Exposure To Aluminum Aluminum Health Hazards Cooking without aluminum foil Aluminum Detoxification Exposure to Aluminum “Aluminum is the twelfth most common element in the Universe”, found almost everywhere in low background concentrations that do not pose a health hazard. There are also sources of pollutants of human origin from mining sites and the materials industry. The aluminum ion is a very reactive ion, therefore it cannot be found in nature in a pure form but bound to other substances. Generally speaking, all the foods we eat have aluminum from a natural source that comes from the soil. These are average concentrations of less than 5 mg per kg of food in unprocessed foods, and concentrations of 5-10 mg per kg of food in processed foods. But due to the reactive properties of aluminum, we are also exposed to it from other sources. The aluminum foil is a thin sheet made entirely of pure aluminum metal. So thin that it can reach a thickness of 0.2 mm and even a thickness of 6 microns. There is almost no home that does not have this roll of aluminum foil, not even suspecting that this is another one of these products that poisons our food. Wrapping our foods with that foil leads to disturbing results: aluminum ions migrate very easily from the aluminum foil to the food that comes into contact with it! It takes just a little bit of moisture and a chemical reaction is formed that releases aluminum ions which rapidly (depending on acidity, alkalinity, temperature, etc.) react with the organic molecules around them. This 2012 study tested the degree of migration of aluminum from aluminum foil to minced meat that was used to prepare six different food solutions using tomato juice, citric acid, apple vinegar, salt, and spices. The researchers conclude: “Aluminum foil used in cooking provides an easy channel for the metal to enter the human body. The increase in cooking temperature causes more leaching. The leaching is also highly dependent on the pH value of the food solution, salt, and spices added to the food solutions. Aluminum foil is not suitable for cooking, especially with acidic food. It is also possible that excessive consumption of food baked with aluminum foil may carry a serious health risk”. Aluminum Health Hazards “Aluminum contamination of food represents an important issue to find relationships between aluminum intake and certain serious illness such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dialysis encephalopathy, bone disorder, human breast cancer, and it is also considered to be a neurotoxin; aluminum salts can be accumulated by the gut and different human tissues (bones, parathyroid, and brain). Aluminum is diversely affecting the growth rate of human brain cells . (Read More [1 ], [2 ], [3 ]...). Aluminum Detoxification It was found that Citric Acid is the best chelating agent on the toxicity, distribution and excretion of aluminium. Additionally, to boost this process, it is recommended to boost your meals with polyphenols. Use spices, Cocoa Powder, nuts, Flaxseeds, berries (that are also low in calories and high in vitamin C, and fiber), Vegetables, Olives, Coffee and Tea ( Read more ). This polyphenol boosting is important as It was found that polyphenol molecules encourage the attachment of metal ions and facilitate their removal by the kidneys. Cooking without aluminum foil When baking in the oven - use a Pyrex with a lid, or a pot with a lid, the dish will turn out even more successful. For roasted vegetables in the oven, steam them for a few minutes in order to soften them before baking. 3.0 150 Ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Ratings Reviews

Glaucoma and Macula - Self healing practices to stop glaucoma and macular eye sight deterioration, restoring the balance of the intraocular fluid, for glaucoma, and the sun exercise for macular deterioration. Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration The Problem: Glaucoma - The Disease That Blinds People! What is glaucoma? It is a common eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve. Damage to the optic nerve damages the visual field and thus causes a significant decrease in vision. What is the intraocular pressure? The eyeball of all human beings fills and empties to maintain the balance of the intraocular fluid. When there is no balance between the fluid that fills and the fluid that empties, a state of intraocular pressure is created, which in most cases is high and presses on the "walls" of the eye, so that the nerve tissues are in tension and this causes slow and permanent destruction of the optic nerve. Conventional treatment: Lowering the intraocular pressure to prevent a state of visual nerve destruction. Are drug and medical treatments always effective? Medical treatment has always been in the direction of balancing intraocular pressure. This treatment often does not stop the destruction of the optic nerve. This means that despite lowering the intraocular pressure there is still a risk of optic nerve deterioration and severe visual impairment. In many cases glaucoma develops from unbalanced use of both eyes, i.e a gap in the quality and sharpness of vision between the two eyes. Symptoms: "Sand in the eyes" condition, Strong headaches A back pain Many glaucoma cases "show up" at older ages (60+). Patients usually wear eyeglasses for many years, and the problem is accompanied by a sense of "sand in the eyes". Many would also suffer from a decrease in the peripheral vision. Page Content: The Problem Glaucoma treatment practice Glaucoma Increase Blood Flow Macular degeneration Sun exercise practical example The Problem Related Linked Pages: Glasses, Contact Lenses, LASIK Cataract and Eye Floaters Eye Strain Lazy Eye Dry Eyes Back To Eyes Glaucoma treatment Glaucoma Treatment Expected Results: The treatment is designed to reduce intraocular pressure and strengthen the activity of the optic nerve. The purpose of the exercises is to create a balance between the two eyes, increase the field of vision and pump more blood to the optic nerve. Because in this disease the extent of vision is significantly lost, exercises are designed to expand the scope of vision and relieve load and pressure from the center of vision. These exercises have proved to create a rapid and significant change in the case of glaucoma and stop the deterioration of the disease, which in itself is critical. A daily routine could yield intraocular pressure reduction of about 10 in each eye and also a reduced glasses diopter number by 1.5. and improved balance between the two eyes. 5.0 1 Reviews average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Reviews Reviews Glaucoma Increase Blood Flow Glaucoma Increase Blood Flow The state of stress in the eyes requires practice on a daily level of special exercises that are specifically tailored to the state of the eyes. Additionally, coping with glaucoma requires specific body work for muscles in the back, upper back, face and jaw, assuming that the patient visual effort is accompanied by an effort of the entire form of holding and activating the upper body. This effort affects the blood flow to the retina and that in itself creates an intraocular pressure. Increased blood flow to the eyes awakens the optic nerve which is necessary to improve the condition of the optic nerve and consequently the vision. Repetitions: The state of stress in the eyes requires practice on a daily level of special exercises that are specifically tailored to the state of the eyes. 5.0 1 Reviews average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Reviews Reviews Macular Degeneration Macular degeneration is currently the leading cause of blindness in Western countries. It is common among older people but this phenomenon is spreading to younger ages as well. Macular degeneration When a degenerative process of the macula begins the visual acuity and the ability to distinct details is gradually impaired, because the macula is responsible for detailed vision. Intense and strenuous eye focusing for near distance, use of glasses, which reduces the field of vision and especially the peripheral vision, creating pressure on the center of vision and weakens it. On the other hand, healthy use of the eyes stimulates them and maintains their strength! The fact that macular degeneration occurs at old age leads many to the wrong conclusion that it is an age related phenomenon, but it is not age that causes the disease, it is the destructive use of the eyes day after day and year after year that are the cause of the disease. Remember that at any age and in any situation you can work with the eyes and improve their condition, of course the degree of vision improvement varies from person to person and consists of several factors that affect the results. Macular Sun Exercise Example of a practical experience: A patient experienced impaired vision. He would notice movement and transient figures but had difficulty seeing details. Exercises started for several times a week with a lot of special sun exercises to "wake up" the macula and increase blood flow to the head to nourish the retina, under the strong light (the sun exercises should be learned from a therapist only). After two years of practicing, the patient has achieved improved vision, he is able to read letters from a distance of 3 meters, and his vision is improving by the day. The recovery period could be shorter, depending on the general physical condition of the patient. There are cases where the improvement could be greater and faster. 5.0 1 Reviews average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, Reviews Reviews Sun exercise practical example

The strong link between the gut and its microbiome and the brain, and what should be done to keep this link healthy and functioning. Brain, Memory and the Guts Page Content: Cognitive Decline With Age Insulin Resistance Myelin Decline Exposure to Toxins Thyroid Problems Medications Smoking Nutrition Physical Exercise Inflammation Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) Shortwave Radiation Encountering the Cognitive Decline Nicotine Methylene Blue Methylene Blue Dosing Suggestions Gut Microbiome And Our Brain Cognitive Functioning Nutritional Supplements Lion's Mane Mushrooms Spirulina Vitamin B12 Cognitive Decline With Age Exposure to Toxins Cognitive Decline With Age -” The most important changes in cognition with normal aging are declines in performance on cognitive tasks that require one to quickly process or transform information to make a decision, including measures of speed of processing, working memory, and executive cognitive function”. There are many factors that affect the cognitive function decline and three pervasive brain illnesses. Two of the three are associated with our memory - Memory Loss and Dementia. The third one is Parkinson. All three of these "diseases" are believed by many to be age associated. Yes age is no doubt a contributing factor, but from the self-healing perspective these illnesses are the result of a prolonged life style with exposure to contributing factors that should have been eliminated at early age, realizing their implications at an older age. Some of these contributing factors we discuss elsewhere on this website (see " Read more" links below) and some we discuss below: Contributing Factors That Affect Cognitive Decline Insulin Resistance - "data from 2021 found that 40% of US adults aged 18 to 44 are insulin-resistant based on HOMA-IR measurements". "it has been implicated in AD (A ltzheimer D isease), with the degree of brain insulin resistance correlating with cognitive decline". "Brain insulin receptor signaling reportedly plays diverse roles in the CNS (Central Nervous System), including regulation of synaptic plasticity [100–106], dendritic outgrowth [77, 107], and involvement in neuronal survival [108, 109], life span [110–114], learning and memory [115–117], and neurological disorders [118–121]. "insulin signaling has been demonstrated to impact on molecular cascades underlying hippocampal plasticity, learning and memory. Here, we summarize the molecular evidence linking alteration of hippocampal insulin sensitivity with changes of both adult neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. We also review the epidemiological studies and experimental models emphasizing the critical role of brain insulin resistance at the crossroad between metabolic and neurodegenerative disease". Bottom line - Insulin resistance is a major contributor to COGNITIVE DECLINE! Read more here on simple diet changes to avoid insulin resistance. Myelin Decline - " People whose brains have less myelin — the fatty tissue that insulates nerve cells — experience steeper declines in cognition over time (age). According to an NIA study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia". High cholesterol level is essential for myelin membrane growth". Furthermore, research work has shown the importance of LDL (L ow-D ensity L ipoprotein) cholesterol in the formation of myelin sheath. (Read More ). Note: There is a strong drive among "professional" health practitioners to convince their audience to lower their LDL levels below 100 to avoid blood vessels clogging, without providing scientific evidence to the impact of this low blood LDL level on the myelin regeneration process. This 2022 meta analysis titled: "Statins and cognition: Modifying factors and possible underlying mechanisms", concludes that there is "inconsistent results of many studies", and suggests "The bias in the interpretations of studies’ results suggests a possible explanation for the inconsistency in mechanisms underlying the effects of statins on AD (Alzheimer's Disease)". Exposure to Toxins - NIH-funded twin study finds occupational chemical exposure may be linked to Parkinson’s risk. Bottom line - exposure to chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and others - possibly through our diet, is a contributing risk factor to our brain health. Reduce the amount of mercury and aluminum in your diet. Mercury in Fish: especially ones that live for a long time (e.g. Tuna fish), absorb mercury from the water. Larger fish, such as tuna and swordfish, tend to have higher levels of mercury. Aluminum in salt and other powdered additives: There are manufacturers that add aluminum compounds to keep their powdered products from coagulation. In our body, some of these compounds are dissolved into the blood, and the aluminum "finds it way" to our brain. SILVER-AMALGAM TOOTH FILLINGS Silver-colored fillings are usually made with a mercury amalgam, which may break down over time. If you have these fillings, replace them with tooth-colored resin fillings. VACCINES, While the mercury-based preservative thimerosal has been removed from most vaccines, there are still some that contain the controversial chemical, such as flu shots. If you choose to vaccinate, make sure that the vaccine is thimerosal-free! POLLUTION, Our water and air can be a major source of harmful heavy metals. Steer clear of industrial areas when possible, and drink filtered water (reverse osmosis water is a good option). BEWARE OF OLD PAINT, As recently as the 1970s, paint was made with lead. If you live or work in an older structure, there's a good chance of lead-based paint somewhere beneath the most recent layer. Be mindful of places where paint may be chipping, and definitely keep small children from putting paint chips in their mouths. (Read more - Toxins and detoxification ). Myelin Decline Insulin Resistance Thyroid Problems - "It has been shown that a variety of cognitive domains can be impaired by overt hypothyroidism. Several studies demonstrate reductions in attention/concentration, general intelligence, memory, language, perceptual function, executive function, and psychomotor activity. It is indicated that the most consistently influenced domain is memory [62 ], with specific deficits in verbal memory [63 , 64 ]. According to studies, the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction is high among patients with hypothyroidism. Increased age, increased disease duration, and high levels of TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) are statistically related to cognitive deficits [65 ]". (Read more ) Medications - Many prescription drugs interfere with your memory function , these drugs include anxiety medications (Xanax, Valium, and Ativan), which hinder your brain's ability to transfer short-term memories to long-term "storage." Others include tricyclic antidepressants, statin drugs , beta-blockers, narcotic painkillers, incontinence drugs, sleep aids, and antihistamines (such as Benadryl). Smoking - Smoking impairs the blood supply to your brain , leading to memory lapses. Studies also show that smokers have a more rapid decline in brain function, including memory, than non-smokers, while smoking leads to the accumulation of abnormal proteins in your brain that interfere with processing and relaying information. Nutrition - A compelling study regarding the Parkinson's disease is presented in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (2014) concludes: “A growing body of evidence suggests that nutrition may play an important role.”. The so-called western diet is rich in saturated fat and refined carbohydrates (e.g. sugar). Excessive consumption of this diet is associated not only with the development of obesity but also with reduced global cognitive function, cognitive decline, and dementia (Morris et al., 2015 ). This Research Topic explores the effects of diet and diet-induced obesity on learning, memory, and cognition in both experimental and epidemiological settings. High fat and high sugar foods are highly rewarding and excessive consumption leads to enduring alterations in brain regions involved in learning, memory, and reward. These changes are proposed to drive over consumption by promoting food seeking behaviors. Moreover, alterations in brain regions essential for learning, memory, and behavioral control induced by this diet appear to be especially profound in the immature brain. (Read more below and Ketogenic diet, brain, memory and the guts) Physical Exercise - Not surprisingly, this meta study : "An umbrella review of randomized control trials on the effects of physical exercise on cognition" concludes that "These findings suggest caution in claims and recommendations linking regular physical exercise to cognitive benefits in the healthy human population until more reliable causal evidence accumulates". On the other hand, this (2022) study concludes: "The results indicated that older adults who engaged in frequent physical activity have greater cognitive functioning than older adults without physical activity after adjusting for various individual, health, lifestyle, and household factors". This association holds true for both older men and older women.It is not surprising because as you an see on this page , physical exercise has numerous versions with a wide range of diversified implications. Just as an example, this study brings significantly different conclusions " An emerging line of scientific evidence indicates that the effects of exercise are longer lasting than previously thought up to the point to affect future generations ". (Read more Exercise ) . Inflammation - "The relationship between inflammation and age-related neurocognitive changes is significant, which may relate to the age-related immune dysfunctions characterized by the senescence of immune cells and elevated inflammatory markers in the peripheral circulation and the central nervous system". (Read more Chronic Inflammation) Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) - " UTIs can cause sudden confusion (also known as delirium) in older people and people with dementia. If the person has a sudden and unexplained change in their behaviour, such as increased confusion, agitation, or withdrawal, this may be because of a UTI. Shortwave Radiation - This meta review brings many studies that showed the damage incurred from shortwave radiation to functioning of many body systems including central nervous system (“impairment was mainly characterized by brain dysfunction”), Cardiovascular system, Endocrine system, and other systems. Thyroid Problems Medications Smoking Nutrition Physical Exercise Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) Inflammation Shortwave Radiation Encountering Cognitive Decline As we age, mitochondrial respiration and ATP production declines significantly - about 10% per decade, associated with: accumulation of mitochondrial DNA damage and mutations, impairing the electron transport chain and reducing ATP generation, and Mitochondrial dysfunction that leads to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), further damaging mitochondria in a vicious cycle. Add to that the Contributing Factors That Affect Cognitive Decline as we describe above and the need for countering this decline becomes so much more obvious. Nicotine When used properly, nicotine provides substantial cognitive benefits as detailed in this section on the page Nicotine Benefits of this website. Methylene Blue These days (the beginning of 2024), the most promising compound that we could find that could help resolve this hypoperfusion is Methylene Blue . " In summary, inside the electron transport chain in your mitochondria are five complexes, the primary purpose of which is to conduct the electrons generated from food, primarily carbohydrates and fat, in the form of acetyl CoA. Sometimes the electron transport chain gets blocked or impaired, and methylene blue is able to bypass such blockages". Read on this link the most concise and informative description about the action and benefits of Methylene Blue! Furthermore - “When you’re perfectly healthy, low doses of methylene blue will enhance oxygen consumption, mitochondrial respiration and ATP production above baseline, basically optimizing the whole system. So, it acts as a metabolic enhancer and not just an antidote for metabolic poisons and other inhibitory processes" Methylene Blue Enountering Cognitive Decline Nicotine Gut Microbiome And Our Brain Lion's Mane Mushrooms Methylene Blue Dosing Suggestions: Use Methylene Blue Pharmaceutical USP (United States Pharmacopeia) grade 99%+ pure. This is the kind used when injected intravenously for antidote purposes, or used orally. "For an acute treatment, the upper limit is between 3 mg to 4 mg per kg, which is typically the range given as an IV antidote for methemoglobinemia. For nonacute, more long-term treatment, 0.5 mg to 1 mg per kg per day works better."[REF ]. Oral intake is the simplest way to take it, given its high bioavailability (almost 100%). Prepare a water diluted mixture (you may want to watch this video ) and take it in the morning before any meal. Two important notifications: 1. Administrating methylene blue, gives the urine and feces the blue color! 2. The half-life of oral methylene blue is 4 to 6 hours (It is important to consider the half-life issue here when there are missed doses or when increasing the dose to twice or three times daily). Let’s take the example of a 100 mg oral methylene blue dose with a half-life of 6 hours: Imagine you take your dose at 8 am… half-life #1: 50 mg left in your body at 2 pm (i.e., 6 hours later) half-life #2: 25 mg left in your body at 8 pm (i.e., another 6 hours later) half-life #3: 12.5 mg left in your body at 2 am half-life #4: 6.25 mg left in your body at 8 am This means that if you take 100 mg of methylene blue at 8 am, you'll still have 6.25 mg of methylene blue in your body 24 hours later. Even if we assume that the methylene blue half-life is 4 hours, then there would be 3.125 mg of methylene blue left in your body at 8 am the next day. Either way, 100 mg daily methylene blue taken daily will continue to build up in your system , and this buildup could lead to adverse effects, especially when the accumulative dose reaches 3 mg/kg or greater . Gut Microbiome And Our Brain [ Read more on this page ] The guts and its microbiome - referred to by many as our second brain. This scientific study - (as an example) has found that probiotic and prebiotics might improve mental function via several mechanisms ( Read more ). Another scie ntific study has found two strains - Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifdobacterium longum, that have shown to have a calming influence, in part by dampening stress hormones. Other strains may have similar effects, although more research is needed to identify them. Using MRI scans, Dr. Emeran Mayer, a professor of medicine and psychiatry at the University of California, studied the physical brain structure of thousands of volunteers, looking for connections between brain structure and the types of bacteria found in their guts. So far, he has found differences in how certain brain regions are connected, depending on the dominant species of bacteria. A study conducted by Dr. Emeran Mayer , a professor of medicine and psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, concludes : "That the specific mix of microbes in our guts might help determine what kinds of brains we have — how our brain circuits develop and how they're wired." Indeed, the connection between our gut and mental health appears to be so strong that some have proposed probiotics may one day take the place of antidepressant drugs . The accumulating evidence linking bacteria in the gut and neurons in the brain (the microbiota–gut–brain axis) has led to a paradigm shift in the neurosciences. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms supporting the relevance of actions mediated by the gut microbiota for brain physiology and neuronal functioning is a key research area. Gut bacteria transmits information to your brain via the vagus nerve , the tenth cranial nerve that runs from your brain stem into your enteric nervous system (the nervous system of your gastrointestinal tract). There is a close connection between abnormal gut flora and abnormal brain development, and just as you have neurons in your brain, you also have neurons in your gut - including neurons that produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which is also found in your brain and is linked to mood. Cognitive Functioning Nutritional Supplements : Lion's Mane Mushrooms We recommend this supplement following unequivocal recommendations of figures whom we learned to appreciate their integrity and professionalism over a prolonged period of time like Mike Adams in this video (on min. 17:00) and Dr. Gundry in this video (on min. 1:28) and a few other of his videos. Their recommendations and some preliminary studies like this one that concludes "Given the current evidence, lion’s mane mushrooms may have the potential to elicit both cognitive and mood effects through various biological pathways", let us to strongly recommend this supplement. Dosage: In this study the dosage of the powder in a pill form used was 3 grams and generally speaking, this dosage is recommended by many other studies and videos. Spirulina: "This review focuses on the role of Spirulina in the brain, highlighting how it exerts its beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, acting on glial cell activation, and in the prevention and/or progression of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis; due to these properties, Spirulina could be considered a potential natural drug". The above is the conclusion of one study out of numerous recent studies, all showing the benefits of spirulina to cognitive functioning. Dosage: As a dietary supplement , the recommended minimum amount is three grams daily – one teaspoon of powder or six 500 mg tablets. Since it is a pure and natural food, you may safely take more, to suit your personal health program. Vitamin B12: vitamins including vitamin B12 may slow brain shrinkage by as much as seven-fold in brain regions specifically known to be most impacted by Alzheimer's disease. ( The resea rchers noted : "…B vitamins lower homocysteine, which directly leads to a decrease in GM [gray matter] atrophy, thereby slowing cognitive decline. Our results show that B-vitamin supplementation can slow the atrophy of specific brain regions that are a key component of the AD [Alzheimer's disease] process and that are associated with cognitive decline.". Fresh vegetables are essential - curry, celery, broccoli , cauliflower, and walnuts contain antioxidants and other compounds that protect your brain health and may even stimulate the production of new brain cells. Coconut oil is another healthful fat for brain function. According to research by Dr. Mary Newport , just over two tablespoons of coconut oil (about 35 ml or 7 level teaspoons) would supply you with the equivalent of 20 grams of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which is indicated as either a preventative measure against degenerative neurological diseases or as a treatment for an already established case. 4.8 4 Ratings average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 4 votes, Ratings Reviews 4.8 4 Ratings average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 4 votes, Ratings Reviews Spirulina Vitamin B12 Methylene Blue Dosing Suggestions Cognitive Functioning Nutritional Supplements