Mark Konlee
By now, most of you have received Positive Health News, Report No 21, with its message on water, healing music and the update on vinegar and other therapies. There was no issue of Progressive Health New for Nov., 2000, due to limitations on my time. Over 14,000 copies of this issue have already been distributed.
After this latest issue was printed, I continued with experiments on water and have made more progress. With oxygen being the single most important element needed for our survival and water being the second, I feel that combining the two would increase the healing potential of water. It has been reported by Peter Kulish in his book on "Conquering Pain - the Art of Healing with Biomagnetism" that exposing water to a either a north or south pole magnetic field increases the speed with which cells absorb and utilize water as well as improves its flavor. In Nov., I tried the following experiment with reverse osmosis (RO) water.
After about 8 hours, the ozone is no longer detectable but has converted into oxygen which remains in the water. The resulting water is not only purified, but very smooth and flavorful. My theory is that millions of electrons released from the ozone remain in the water after the ozone reverts to oxygen increasing its electron donor capacity and making the water an antioxidant. This theory remains to be confirmed by testing with an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) meter.
When you make ice cubes from the RO ozonated/magnetic water and add it to a glass of water, it has the flavor as some of the best spring water found anywhere on the planet. Its detoxifying effects are apparent to me. The more you drink the more you want to drink. The water is rapidly absorbed from the stomach into the blood supply and quickly excreted through the kidneys. The water increases energy levels significantly. When you drink tea or coffee made with the water, the resulting beverage is very smooth and flavorful. My theory, which remains to be proven, is that this water is an electron donor and an antioxidant. Within the past week, I order an ORP meter which measures the oxidation-reduction potential of a liquid. I will use the ORP meter to test and develop a water that is a powerful antioxidant. ORP tests of water to which coral calcium was added have been posted on the internet and indicate that coral calcium not only alkalizes water but increases its electron donor capacity making it an antioxidant or free radical scavenger.
In Dec., 2000, I reported on two sources of coral calcium, Body Systems Technology and House of Gold. Unfortunately, Body Systems Technology is too slow in filling their orders. After waiting 6 weeks, I cancelled my order with them. House of Gold (Starfire Int'L) uses a product made in Japan that has metallic silver added. Silver in solution will kill off both the friendly as well as the unfriendly bacteria. Colloidal silver or or variations of silver solutions should not be consumed daily any more than antibiotics or food preservatives. All these kill off friendly flora.
A better source is Natural Health Link (www.naturahealthlink.com. They sell a pure coral calcium powder called "Coral Legend" with nothing added. A 2 oz bottle costs about $20. Add 1/8th teaspoon to a gallon of reverse osmosis or distilled water or add 1 level teaspoon to a batch of fiber/pectin/probiotic blend (i.e Formula 841, 84211 or Perfect Stool Formula). The coral calcium is high in magnesium and has a full range of trace minerals. It improves stool quality by increasing mucin (intestinal mucus) production. This should help protect the mucus membranes and should lessen constipation. The published claims for benefits from coral calcium found on the internet cover over 50 health-related conditions. In my opinion, coral calcium is the most effective mineral supplement currently available. Blackstrap molasses is another great source of ionized calcium and trace minerals except that persons with yeast or candida overgrowth need to avoid the sugar in the molasses.
Besides my long known interest in nutrition, immunology and "alternative" medicine, I also have a strong interest in "alternative energy" but have done little research or writing on this subject. In the current issue of Positive Health News, I mentioned Magnetizer Corp. located on the internet at www.magnetizer.org. as a source of magnets for making magnetic water. This company, like EnviroTech, is on the cutting edge of magnetic research. Not only do they sell a variety of magnets for health related purposes, they also sell a Magnetic Kit to increase gas mileage in your automobile or truck as well as a kit that dissolves and removes mineral deposits from plumbing pipes in the house. While Magnetizer Corp. generally advises readers not to use, for most purposes, south pole or bipolar magnets directly on the body, they do use two opposing south pole magnets on a water pipe to lower the surface tension of water and dissolve mineral deposits in both household cold and hot water lines. They report this not only cleans up the pipes, but lowers the acidity and improves the flavor of the water. For automobiles and truck, they offer a kit with 4 magnets for 3 specific locations to improve gas mileage and clean up the engine from carbon and varnish buildup.
The Magnetic Maximizer Kit for cars costs $70. All magnets have both a north pole and a south pole. Two magnets in this kit are placed on the gas line (south pole), one large south pole oriented magnet is placed on a radiator hose leading to or from the radiator and the third is a north pole oriented magnet placed over the air intake to the carburetor or fuel injection system. The manufacturer claims a 10% to 20% increase in gas mileage from using the Magnetizer Kit after 1000 miles of driving. After 1000 miles of driving, you are suppose to drain the oil with the loosened debris and the radiator fluid and replace it with fresh fluids. I bought a kit and decided to put the system to the test.
I own a 1988 Mazda, 4 cylinder, 323, with 106,000 miles on the engine. I have driven the car over the past 18 months and have never tuned it up although I have had a few oil changes. My gas mileage was 28 miles per gallon with my last mileage test. After placing the magnets on the car in the locations indicated, I drove over 300 miles and refilled the gas tank. The new gas mileage was 34.3 mpg. Needless to say, I am very satisfied as the gas mileage increase was over 20%. I also noticed a lower operating temperature in the engine as indicated on the temperature gage and was told to expect this.
At my present rate of use, I expect this unit to pay for itself every 3 months I drive the car. This is about a 400% annual return on my investment. There may be other savings as well such as fewer repairs due to less stress on the engine with lower operating temperatures, better performance and longer engine life. If everyone obtained these same results and everyone with a car or truck installed one of these units, not only would we have a cleaner environment, the United States would consume 700,000 barrels less of crude oil each day and reduced demand would help keep oil prices from rising further. All this is possible while reducing air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.
In my conversation with the owner of Magnetizer Corp., he told me of a kit that dissolves mineral deposits in plumbing pipes and increases water flow. I asked him how this worked and he told me that two magnets, both south polarity, are forcibly clamped together over the intake to the cold water pipe. He said that within one month most the mineral deposits are removed and come out of the tap like fine sand.
The thing unique about this setup is that they use the same polarity side of two magnets and force them together over the pipe. The other day I thought that if this works on cold and hot water piping, why wouldn't it also work to remove mineral deposits in a persons arteries and reverse arteriosclerosis? In the last week of November, I devised a simple device to do this. I had four 2 inch by 3 inch by 1/2 inch ceramic magnets that I was not using that I had obtained several years ago. I glued 2 of them together in 2 sets and then glued the sets in a square plastic rectangle I cut of a downspout adapter to hose for gutters. I also taped the magnets to the plastic rectangle as they wanted to jump out and flip over. A space of 1 and 1/2 inches remained between the two groups of magnets. I aimed the north side of both sets towards each other. When I was done, there was enough room to slide 4 fingers and part of your palm in the center.
As blood circulates throughout the body every few minutes, I reasoned that if it works in the plumbing pipes to remove mineral deposits, it might also remove mineral and cholesterol deposits in the arteries throughout the body - kind of like a magnetic chelation therapy. But will it work? Did I use the right polarity? Does it really make a difference which polarity is used for this purpose? Since most health applications use north pole negative magnetic energy, I decided to try this polarity first.
Neil S, 65 years old of West Allis is the first volunteer to try it as of Nov. 29th. He had quadruple bypass surgery 3 years ago and is showing signs of more impaired circulation. Poorer memory, slower speech and a less energy than he had a few years ago. He also reports recently that most of the day he feels sleepy. He agreed to place the palm of his hand in this rectangle with opposing north pole magnetic fields for 30 minutes each day and report the results. I am not suggesting that anyone try this as this is a first test case. We will just wait and see if anything happens and hope as well as pray the news is good. In the first day, Neil used the Magnetic Chelation Therapy (MCT) for just 10 minutes. I advised him to go slow as loosening up the mineral deposits too fast might create unforeseen problems. He said he will increase the time by 5 minutes each week until after 6 weeks, he reaches 30 minutes per day of MCT treatment. We will wait and see what these effects are and hope for the best.
One reader called to tell me that she has found out from experience that placing a magnetic pad between the mattress and box spring has helped her tremendously and far more than laying on it directly. This seems surprising as the magnetic field is 90% or more weaker when it is 6 or 7 inches from the body except that you obtain a pure form of north pole energy this way. When you lay directly on the magnetic pad, some south pole energy (10% or more) leaks through on the sides of the magnet. It could also be that a weaker and more uniform north pole magnetic energy has more health benefits that a very strong magnetic field. Bob Mitchell talked to her longer than I did and is planing to make this latest change when using the magnetic pad.
In November, 2000, an article on "Multiple Attributes of the Magnetic Mattress" by Morton Walker DPM, was published in "The Townsend Letter for Doctors." He Quotes from the research of Dean Bonlie DDS who has spent years researching magnetic therapy that the magnetic mattress should be placed between the mattress and the box spring to obtain the most therapeutic results. Dr. Walker cites the research of Dr. George Lewis MD of Toronto , Ontario, on 20 patients with fibromyalgia. Lewis report that the use of a magnetic pad placed between the mattress and box spring brought a 34.5% improvement in these 20 fibromyalgia patients. In 6 CFIDS patients, Lewis reported that the improvement was 72%.
Marie NaVeaux reports that since going on Viramune, Zerit and Epivir, her viral load has declined from 390,000 to 1900 and her CD4's have gone from 2 to 27. She reports no side effects from this non-protease combination and continues to follow a good diet and uses a daily fiber/pectin/probiotic blend to maximize the growth of friendly flora.
Miami, FL. Bob Mitchell faxed lab results after adding two protease inhibitors and Epivir to his current protocol of Transfer Factor Plus ( 6 a day) and about 20 other supplements. He reports that from Oct 15 through November 15th, his viral load has dropped from 525,000 to 1400 and his CD4's have increased from 12 to 130. However, last week, he said that because of intolerable side effects from the protease inhibitors, he has stopped using the drug cocktail again.
One reader called me in November and reported that for the past year he has been using a pulsed protocol with prescription drugs for HIV. It is one week on and on week off. After one year on this pulsed protocol his viral load increased from non-detectable to 60 and his CD4 count remains the same in the 600 range. In the week he uses the drugs, he uses 5 at a time.
This latest report adds to a growing body of anecdotal cases nationally of varying degrees of success with strategic interrupted or pulsed protocols. One strategy in using drugs in an on and off again mode is to allow the viral load to get high enough in the off mode for the immune system to be challenged, then to resume the drug cocktail until the viral load is again non-detectable. Several of these cases have been reported in GMHC and Project Inform newsletters during the past year.
The strategy behind pulsed protocols is kind of like self-immunization. It is generally agreed that when the viral load is non-detectable, the immune system sees no problem and does not attempt to respond to the very low viral levels. The pulsed protocols are kind of like teaching someone to swim. You let them swim until they are either exhausted or appear ready to go under then lift them out of the water to rest for a while before trying it all over again. Teaching the immune system to deal with HIV is like teaching someone how to swim.
There are now several success reports where these pulsed protocols have resulted in teaching the immune system to keep the viral load at very low or non-detectable levels after drug therapy has been discontinued. One very important precaution: Do not simply reduce the drug dose or you will invite viral resistance to the drugs and they won't work at all even at high doses.
Update: Nov. 25th. Bob stopped his drug cocktail because of intolerable side effects. I suggested he try a pulsed protocol of two week off and two weeks on with the drug cocktail while continuing his immune-based, diet and nutritional therapies. He is now giving this pulsed protocol a try. He said he thought of reducing the dose of the drugs he uses and I told him of several case reports where viral resistance developed that would render his last drug treatment option useless.
For readers who have had stable viral loads that are non-detectable for several months and want to try a pulsed protocol, I think a pulsed protocol of one month on (using the drugs) and one month off would make more sense from the standpoint of teaching the immune system to control the virus naturally. It would also make sense to use immuno-therapy in the off month.
Jim H of Chicago reports a viral load decrease (17000 to 15000) since adding Transfer Factor Plus (TF+) to a current drug cocktail that has been failing him (5000 to 17,000) over the past 9 months. He used TF+ for a few weeks just prior to his latest test.
In Virginia, Susan A reports that after using 2 capsules daily of TF+ (4Life Products) for the past 6 months along with a drug cocktail, that her viral load not only remains non-detectable, but that her CD4 count has increased from 350 to 476. She attributes the increase in CD4's to the TF+. She said: "this is the highest my CD4's have been in 5 years of using the drugs...my doctor said that my most recent lab tests indicate my cell-mediated immunity is exceptionally good and now he wants me to interrupt the drug cocktail to see if my immune system can handle the virus on its own."
Note: The TF+ is expected to improve cell-mediated immunity. Initial efforts in one case of full blown AIDS to use a high dose of TF+ monotherapy failed to either reduce the viral load or increase the CD4's. However, no one with CD4's above 200 (non-AIDS) has tried TF+ in a high dose (6 to 9 capsules daily) as a monotherapy so we don't know what the outcome would be.
Yamoa powder comes from Ghana in Africa from the "Funtumia Elastica Gum" tree. The gum tree has been used as a folk remedy for asthma and allergies for several years in Africa.
Mrs. Poole writes. "I started having asthma at the age of two and suffered very badly until my early teens, when I gradually improved. Now, after 30 years of inhaling my husband's cigarette smoke, my chest gradually became bad again. Having read about Yamoa powder I decided to try it and began feeling better within a few days. I took two bottles of the powder and am amazed at how much better I am. Also, my peak flow reading has gone up from 100 to 225."
Another person, Clive Cable, with hay fever and allergies to various pollens tried Yamoa powder and says that after mixing the Yamoa powder with a one pound jar of honey and taking one teaspoon twice daily until it was gone and has been free of all symptoms for over one year.
Yamoa powder is imported into the United States by Ojibwa Tea of Life, PO Box 200041, Denver, CO 80220. Email: mkalevik@usa.net.
© 2000 Keep Hope Alive, PO Box 270041, West Allis, WI 53227
Return to home pageMark Konlee
The results I reported last month from Bob Mitchell on the Transfer Factor Plus (7 caps a day) along with Earthrise Spirulina, 15 caps a day and the colon formula 84211 were encouraging on August 14th. However, after sleeping and laying on the magnetic mattress for approximately 10 hours a day from Sept. 2nd through his latest lab test on Sept. 13th, all the numbers have taken a severe turn for the worse. His CD4's have dropped from 77 to 20 and his HIV viral load has increased from 4500 to 524,479.
When Bob got his $500 magnetic mattress on Sept. 2nd, the original protocol I suggested was to lay on it for one hour twice a day, twelve hours apart. I suggested one hour before noon and again one hour before bedtime. Bob changed the protocol due to a lack of space in his small apartment and placed the magnetic mattress on his bed where he normally sleeps and spends hours on it during the day as well.
The very first reaction he had to the magnetic field was positive. He felt a sensation of heat being generated throughout his body and broke out in a sweat. These effects suggested a strong Detox reaction as well as the production of ATP needed by the cells to present viral antigen on the cell surface, a prerequisite event needed to trigger a CD8 Killer T cell response against virally infected cells. But these effects (the heat and sweating) soon subsided as he laid on the mattress hour after hour for as much as 10 to 12 hours a day. Several times during the past month, I told Bob of my concerns that he might be getting too much exposure to the magnetic field and this might cause some unknown adverse effect. I told Bob that overexposure to a magnetic field had personally lowered my energy levels and it was my opinion that one hour at a time was the maximum time to obtain the best results. When the lab results came in September 29th, it was obvious that the present method of using magnetic therapy had failed. It was also apparent that the magnetic field had no direct killing effect on the virus.
Several months ago, I had a conversation with the manufacturers of "The Silver Pulser" a electrical frequency unit designed by Bob Beck and based in part on the technology develop by Royal Rife of using electrical frequencies to treat infections and cancer. I told them that several readers with HIV had told me that the use of the "Silver Pulser" had led to dramatic increases in their viral loads for HIV as measured by PCR. The spokesman for the "Silver Pulser" told me that since they read Christine Maggiore book on "What if everything you thought you knew about AIDS was wrong," that they no longer believe that the HIV virus exists and that the only thing PCR measures in lab results is cellular debris.
I told them that I had once entertained the possibility of this theory that PCR measured cellular debris, but had found too strong a correlation between PCR viral load and AIDS progression to dismiss the connection and that I had decided some time ago to give quantitative PCR the benefit of the doubt. I told the spokesman that I believed that the HIV virus existed, that PCR was relative to amount of virus in the plasma and that HIV was the principal causative agent in AIDS.
During the conversation, the spokesman for the "Silver Pulser" said that when the electrical current was passing through the body it caused the cells to be porous and for them to dump toxins. I said "that is all well and fine, but when the cells are porous (perforated), are they not also vulnerable to being infected from viruses on the outside on the cells?"
The spokesman said "yes" but that the perforation was for only a fraction of a second. I told the spokesman that those fractions of a second must have added up as the reports of big increases in viral loads had come from several readers who had used the Silver Pulser. When the spokesman told me that the CD4's increased, I asked him to send me the proof as the same readers had told me that their CD4's had actually decreased since using the "Silver Pulser."
No proof of CD4 increases with the "Silver Pulser" has ever been provided. In fact, last year Hulda Clark wrote me a letter and acknowledged that the "Zapper" that she designed (runs on a battery) also increased the PCR "numbers" in persons with HIV. (Note: in conjunction with this, I would not be surprised that the use of cellular phones would also lead to an increase in viral activity in the head and brain area). Increases in brain tumors and hearing impairment have been reported with the use of cellular phones.
Even the expensive Bio-Ray unit (based on the Rife electrical frequency technology) that costs over $5000 has not been proven to be safe or effective in the treatment of HIV. When I talked to one person whom I had been told was "cured" of AIDS using the Bio-Ray machine, the person told me that they were using a triple drug cocktail at the same time, a fact that the marketer of the product conveniently forgot to mention. In fact, the person was not cured of AIDS, but has remained on the drug cocktail and uses the Bio-Ray treatment as an adjunct therapy.
The principle of a simple generator is that the movement of a conductor through a magnetic field moves electrical current. As a person lays on a magnetic mattress, the movement of blood and lymph through the body and its mostly water content is the conductor that generates and moves billions of electrons.
My own theory on the effects of a magnetic field on a person is that the free electrons initially stimulate the mitochondria in the cells to produce a burst of energy and ATP. This burst of ATP causes a heat sensation throughout the body and the release of toxins in the cells as well as a spontaneous increase in viral antigen on the cell surface. This presentation of viral antigen causes a cell-mediated immune reaction of the Killer T cells to take out the virally infected cells. After this point of viral antigen presentation on the cell surface, the use of the magnetic field may go against the patient and in favor of the virus through a process caused by electroperforation.
The cells do not have enough nutrients inside the mitochondria to sustain the ATP burst while the billions of free electrons continue to move throughout the body. The excess electrons cause the cell membranes to be filled with tiny holes called perforations. It is through these tiny holes that free-cell virus in the blood enters and infects new cells. It is now evident that the magnetic fields do not directly kill viruses or blood tests would have confirmed a drop in viral titers. In the case of the Rife type electrical machines, they do not kill off all the viruses and the surviving viruses invade and infect new cells through tiny perforated holes caused by the electrical current or radio frequencies that pass small amounts of electrical current through the body.
In charting the effects of magnetic therapy, my view is that the benefits of magnetic therapy rise in a linear line over time plus exposure to the magnetic field and then plateau (flatten out) and eventually the benefits drop and the line descends downward (A Bell Curve). Since technical and expensive tests have not been done to demonstrate the Bell Curve theory with magnetic fields in treating illness, I am supporting it with anecdotal reports. I am convinced that exposure to a magnetic field for more than 60 minutes at a time could place a person in the down side of the bell curve and its accompanying negative effects.
It is well known that in the use of some dietary supplements (i.e. zinc), too much can be immunosuppressive as is too little and the same is also true for some other vitamins and prescription drugs. Why would magnetic field therapy be any different?
Dr. William Philpott MD writes in his "Biomagnetic Handbook" that is based on his 25 years of experience with magnets about a person with vaginal yeast infection who cleared the infection completely by sitting on the north pole side of a magnet for one hour 3 times a day. Most of his other suggestions for a wide variety of ailments range from 15 to 60 minutes of magnetic therapy per session. I agree with Philpott on these suggestions but disagree with him on having your head bathed in a strong magnetic field all night to keep producing melatonin, a hormone that helps induce deep sleep.
I have two small magnetic pads and have used them for several years. Several months ago and before this latest experiment with Bob Mitchell, I wrote against sleeping on a magnetic mattress all night or having magnets at the head of your bed as a permanent fixture. I base this on my own personal experiences. I found the most restful sleep is to use the magnetic pad for about 1 hour before bedtime and then to go to bed without further exposure to the magnets. I have consistently found that overexposure to a magnetic field, even with the correct the North pole polarity, causes fatigue.
My own experiences with a magnetic pad over the past 10 years is that its use for up to 60 minutes at a time is beneficial and that longer use in a session or sessions closer than 6 hours apart are counterproductive. There are thousands of reports on the benefits of using small magnets for relief of pain, arthritis, etc. where specific areas of the body are treated but an absence of reports on the effects of using whole body therapy.
Around Sept. 24th, a lady with CFIDS told me that she has slept on a north pole magnetic mattress for the past 5 years and it has done nothing for her. She told me the only apparent benefit she has noticed is that she no longer gets muscle cramps.
One advertisement for a magnetic mattress I seen recently in a local paper had photographs of blood cells taken from a person before and after lying on a magnetic mattress for 30 minutes and it showed that the blood cells no longer stick together in clumps. Blood stickiness is a major cause of pain in areas of the body fed by the capillaries. When the blood cells clump together, they are unable to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells and this causes pain from oxygen deprivtion. This is because the clumps of blood cells cannot move and fit through the small blood capillaries. For this reason, magnets have become very popular recently for pain relief. One of their great benefits is unsticking the blood cells and the increase in capillary blood circulation.
One possible way to use whole-body magnetic therapy for viral infections is to use the therapy long enough to get the ATP burst in the cells, the unsticking of the blood cells and then to stop at this point to prevent the electroperforation of the cell membranes that leads to an increase in new cells being infected with viruses, fungus, bacteria and other pathogens like micoplasmas.
My own theory is that the billions of free electrons released in the first 30 to 60 minutes of magnetic field exposure are mostly absorbed and used in the mitochondria to produce ATP and in neutralizing free radicals. Once this process reaches a saturation point, the electroperforation of the cell membranes significantly increases.
My suggestions: 30 to 60 minutes of exposure spaced 6 to 8 hours apart or twice daily exposure spaced 12 hours apart or once a day exposure done only before bedtime. Using magnetic therapy before bedtime is beneficial as it increases melatonin levels, a hormone that helps induce deeper more restful sleep. (During the treatment, spend half the time on your stomach and half on your back). Magnetic therapy can induce a deep state of relaxation in a person who finds they can never relax.
Today, Sept. 30, Bob has decided to find a different place for the magnetic mattress in an adjoining room and said he will use it one hour twice a day as was originally suggested. It now remains to be seen if the new pulsed and limited use of whole body magnetic therapy will have a positive impact on the immune system and reduce the viral load.
Scientific experts in immunology have stated that the single event that triggers a strong CD8 Killer T cell response against virus infected cells is when a cell presents viral antigen on the cell surface. In order for a cell to do this it must be healthy and produce enough ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) to transport antigen to the cell surface. ATP is produced in the mitochondria of each living cell. Further research on how to build health from the level of the individual cell and to get the cells to produce an ATP burst sufficient to present viral antigen will be the subject of further writings in this newsletter. New information has come to my attention that the B vitamin, Niacin, the kind that produces a heat reaction and "flush" effect might be a useful tool to help produce this reaction systematically. The key is not to over do it, but to use 200 to 500 mg in a single dose just once per week. More on this in the next issue of Positive Health News, now being written.
England: a person with HIV who is self-treating reports that after using Perfect Stool Formula 3 times a day for just 3 days, that his stools are now looking normal - floating and large diameter. Previously, he reports he only had sinkers. He is also using cold processed whey proteins and 3 capsules 3 times daily of Transfer Factor Plus. He reports he is feeling better. No new lab results have been taken since starting on this latest protocol.
Illinois: Nancy E, a reader with CFIDS and Osteoporosis who made up her own Colon Formula called 84211 (July Report, Vol. 3, No 6) said since using it for the past 3 months, that her latest bone density test indicates an 11% increase in bone density and she is no longer classified as having osteoporosis. Note: Published scientific research indicates that butyrate produced by bifido bacteria in the colon increases the absorption of calcium and magnesium. The butyric acid in the colon combines with calcium to form calcium butyrate and with magnesium to form magnesium butyrate. These are natural acidified forms as is Calcium lactate that is formed in the colon when lactic acid combines with calcium.
The Microhydrin that is being used by Marie NaVeaux is sold through MLM marketing and has been reported to me by several sources as an effective product that promotes well being and scavenges free radicals. While Microhydrin sells for $45 for 60 capsules from Royal Body Care at 972-893-4000, Luke, a reader, reports that a competitive product called "Nanohydrate" has comparable effects and is available for $16 for 90 capsules from Nature's RX at 888-206-5409. Luke says he has used both types and feels the same bebefits on either one. For more information, Luke can be contacted at luke@ynn.com or call him at 510-733-0297.
PS. As editor, I have not used either product although both products reportedly claim to be electron donors that neutralize free radicals. I do not know if Nanohydrate is as effective as a free radical scavenger as the original formula "Microhydrin" although I am told that both products report the same ingredients on the product label. This does not necessarily mean that they are equally effective. It would be advisable to try both products and make up your own mind. Certainly, lab results measuring the anti-free radical effects of each product would be a defining factor. To my knowledge, a comparison study has not been done.
All chronically immune compromised persons, from whatever cause, are adversely affected by prolonged periods of stress. Stress overworks the adrenal glands and leads to fatigue and even exhaustion. Stress has been linked to insomnia, elevated IL-6 and a shift in the cytokine profile from TH1 to TH2 type cytokines. In the past several years, HIV+ readers who report lifestyle changes that have reduced stress have also often reported increases in their CD4 counts.
Arctic root called Rhodiola Rosea, has been used in India, China and Russia for centuries. A new book on this herb called an "adaptagen" has been published by Kensington books (www.kensingtonbooks.com). It is written by Carl Germano RD, CNS, LDN and Zakir Ramazanov Ph.D. The 170 page paperback book contains 14 pages of published scientific references on its unique and beneficial health properties.
Folk legend in Siberia is that whoever drinks Rhodiola Rosea tea daily will live to be 100. In their book, Germano and Ramazanov report that Mongolian doctors have prescribed Rhodiola Rosea in the treatment of tuberculosis and cancer and that the species contains several phytochemicals including phenylpropanoids, proanthocyandiins, flavinoids, rosin, rhodiolin, salidroside, p-tyrosol and its most active ingredient called "rosavin." Several controlled studies have found no toxicities with the use of this herb. Studies have found that Rhodiola Rosea increases Serotonin and Dopamine levels and reduces cortisol and glucocorticoid levels in persons under stress or normalizes their values. Arctic root also is anti-mutagenic and significantly reduces cancer incidence in animals on cancer-producing diets.
Rhodiola Rosea also repairs the DNA in damaged cells, even in the bone marrow. It reduces stress on the heart and normalizes irregular heart beat (arrhythmias). It increases ATP production in all cells. It increases the sex drive. It is a powerful antioxidant and protects against lipid peroxidation. In athletes, it increases endurance and performance and increases the muscle to fat ratio. It improves memory and mental function. In diabetics, it stimulates the production of more insulin. It protects the liver against toxins. The authors of the book say the herb is contraindicated (not recommended) for persons in these states: nervous excitability, fever or high blood pressure.
The standard suggested dose for adults is 100 to 200 mg daily, usually taken before meals or about 1 mg daily per pound of body weight. Rhodiola Rosea (standardized extract) is sold in health food stores. The most common standardized extract contains 1% rosavin. Arctic root tablets and capsules are also available but more would need to be used as the rosavin content is less.
Rhodiola Rosea has reportedly benefited persons with the following conditions:
© 2000 Keep Hope Alive, PO Box 270041, West Allis, WI 53227
Return to home pageMark Konlee
Beginning with "A Special Report" from Keep Hope Alive on September 7, 1992, to the present, I plan to review all the material I have written and published in the past 8 years and will select certain portions of anecdotal reports and areas of research that deserve a re-evaluation and second-look. Since 1989 when I first published "Alternative AIDS Therapies" to the present including over 5 years of monthly messages, it is possible, indeed likely, that important areas of individual experiences and research that we mentioned and passed by need to reconsidered all over again.
A past issue of AIDS Treatment News (Issue No 87, from Sept. 9, 1989), by John James of San Francisco writes about research done at the National Cancer Institute and the University of Hawaii on the use of Spirulina in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. James talked about "sulpholipids" found in Spirulina that blocked HIV replication. Researchers in Hawaii found that 2% of 900 strains of algae were promising in laboratory tests to inhibit HIV. Unfortunately, the 2% (18 strains) that effectively inhibited HIV are contained in an article [Inhibition of reverse transcriptase activity by extracts of cultured blue-green algae, Lau AF et al, Planta Med 1993 Apr; 59(2)148-51] that I have been unable to locate at the local medical library. Fortunately, there is ample published research on the "Platensi" strain of Spirulina produced by Earthrise Farms that is widely available. Another strain called "Aphanizomenon Flos Aquae" comes from Klammath Falls lake in Oregon.
In July, I reported on a case where one of our readers (HIV+) used 1 tsp. of Klammath blue-green algae twice a day for 2 years and increased his CD4's from 400 to over 900. In August, a second reader who used a similar amount of the Klammath strain reported increasing his CD4 counts from 350 to over 1000 in 3 months. Surprisingly, neither person reported using any prescriptions antivirals during this time.
Last month I reported on Ralph H, who used 15 capsules or tablets daily in 3 divided doses of 5 tablets or capsules each of the Earthrise brand of Spirulina (platensi strain of blue-green algae) and that he used prescription drugs on and off and when in the off mode, his viral load never goes over 400.
May, 2000. Researchers in both the United States and Italy report in the Journal of Virology (1) that cyanovirin-n, a potent protein extracted from certain strains of blue-green algae inhibit not only HIV, but HHV-6 by blocking the gp120 viral envelope protein binding to target T cells. They also report that cyanovirin-n also blocks the binding action of some other lipid-enveloped viruses.
A commentary on this research appeared recently in The National Forum, A CFS publication. The article by Alan Cicchetto stated: "I find it interesting that HIV/gp120's mode of infection is the same for HHV-6A/GS." Cicchetto wrote that "Now we are into some very real science that will further our knowledge towards a solution which may finally be in our grasp. This sure beats cognitive behavioral therapy any day!"
Note: For some time I have been aware that pharmaceutical companies have been testing and attempting to isolate various antiviral substances from blue-green algae to patent, test and market. Unfortunately, once all these hoops have been jumped through and the FDA places its stamp of approval on it, the new drugs, if they ever become available, will not be affordable to those who need them most - poor people in third world countries. Waiting for the pharmaceutical companies to develop and market a safe and effective low-cost treatment for HIV, CFIDS and cancer is less likely to happen than the return of the Messiah. One article identified a strain of blue-green algae called "Nostoc ellipsosporum." that contains cyanoviron-n. I have no idea where to locate this strain or even if this is necessary since the platensi strain already has ample published research that it is a potent inhibitor of HIV in a lab. It is possible, but unknown, whether the platensi strain of Spirulina and the Klammath blue-green algae contain cyanovirin-n.
Marie Naveaux of Albq, NM, has for the month of August been on the following protocol: Earthrise Spirulina capsules - 5 three times a day, plus the 84211 pectin/fiber/probiotic blend 3 times daily before meals. In addition, she uses one tablespoon of vinegar/garlic extract in a glass of water 3 times a day. She also drinks a pint of freshly prepared vegetable juice made from carrots, celery, 1/2 beet and a bunch of parsley once a day. She told me she feels fine and works a full time job even though she only has 3 CD4 cells and a viral load for HIV at 259,000. She does use a prophylaxis drug to prevent PCP. On August 28th, 4 weeks into this new regimen, she had blood drawn for a viral load count and complete CDC blood count. Results are expected in the first week of September. (Marie - ph no 505-345-2092).
Note: The vinegar extract from raw garlic is made by mixing 1/2 cup of chopped raw garlic cloves with one pint of apple cider vinegar. The mixture is shaken daily and may be strained to remove the garlic after 10 days. Only the vinegar is used and it contains a sharp bite from the raw garlic cloves. Raw garlic contains "ajoene" a potent inhibitor of HIV that was reported in "Treatment Update" in 1998 as 45 more powerful against HIV than Dextran Sulfate. In August, two more readers with HIV who have made the raw garlic extract in vinegar are reporting powerful health benefits in terms of how they feel but no lab results yet. It is thought to be not necessary to eat the garlic cloves as the vinegar draws the active ingredients out of the garlic.
Update (9/5/00): In spite of her optimism and reports that she has never felt better, Marie called this evening with disappointing lab results. Her CD4 count remained at 3 and her viral load increased from 259,000 to 340,000. Yet she insists that her current protocol was a success because she feels completely normal. I advised her to keep on her current protocol and to go on the drug combination of Viracept, Zerit and Epivir that she had used previously that had reduced her viral load to non-detectable levels over one year ago. I also suggested she add 1000 mg daily of calcium citrate to prevent diarrhea associated with using the protease inhibitor - Viracept. Marie agreed to do this but told me she would make one last try to bring down her viral load with a product that she claims reduced her viral load previously called "microhydrin."
Marie told me that 8 capsules a day had once reduced her viral load from 225,000 to 74,000 in 30 days. She said it had cost her $160 for that 30 day treatment. However, someone in the company that sells the product told her she would have obtained the same results on just 4 capsules a day. Marie told me that microhydrin was an antioxidant and electron donor and that more information on microhydrin could be found at www.royalbodycare.com or by calling 972-893-4000.
I checked out the website and found published research that microhydrin was a mixture of silica, potassium, magnesium with lots of hydrogen added and that this product reduced the surface tension of water so it could enter the cells and help detoxify them. Published research also found that microhydrin increases ATP production, reduces lactic acid buildup and neutralizes free radicals by donating electrons. One chart found that coral calcium and raw carrot juice had a high oxidation/reduction potential but less than the redox potential of microhydrin. One of the research papers stated that raw vegetable and fruit juices had the same effect to reduce surface tension as microhydrin. The research claimed and showed actual tests that tap water and bottled water had too high a surface tension to be properly used by the cells. It blames much of this on heat, pasteurization and oxidation.
No tests were taken to determine Marie's glutathione levels and no supplements were taken to increase glutathione levels while she was on this relatively simple protocol. She told me that recent live blood cell analysis showed viral activity and oxidative stress. Marie's results today suggest that free radicals are contributing in some way to her high viral load and her inability to increase the CD4 counts. The subject of altering water in some way to reduce its surface tension and to increase its ability to donate electrons to neutralize free radicals is a subject that I have decided requires further investigation. For some time I have heard about "clustered water" "Willard Water" and "micro water" and I hear that various firms are marketing altered forms of water. Interestingly, silica is often part of the mineral formulas to alter the structure of water. About one year ago, someone sent me an article on "Oatmeal water." Oats are high in silica. I have no idea where I placed the article which is now probably buried somewhere in my office under one of several piles of paper.
As I recall, oatmeal water was given to railroad workers in the late 1800's and that it stopped sickness that was widespread at the time the railroads were being built across America. I am mentioning this as I am becoming convinced that reducing the surface tension of water could be a good thing as we need to get water into the cells to remove toxins and to get them to function normally. Of course, increasing the electron donors would be a big plus to neutralize dangerous free radicals. Would adding raw oatmeal or raw horsetail herb to distilled or reverse osmosis water and letting it stand for a few days accomplish this feat inexpensively? It is already known that distilled or R/O water is aggressive in that it seeks to pull in minerals like calcium and magnesium. Will these aggressive forms of water pull the minerals out of the oatmeal or the horsetail herb? In theory, they should.
The oatmeal water could be strained after 2 or 3 days and then consumed. Would placing a north pole magnet under the water further increase its electron donor capacity? I have a book from India that says that magnetized water has healing properties. Water can be subject to a magnetic field by placing a gallon of water on top of the north pole side of a 4 by 6 inch ceramic magnet. Magnetized oatmeal water? Am I losing it?
He is using the pectin/fiber/probiotic (#84211) drink 3 times a day along with 15 Earthrise Spirulina capsules in 3 equal divided doses for the first two weeks of August along with 8 Transfer Factor Plus (4-Life Products) capsules that he divides into 3 daily doses (3,3 and 2) He stopped a drug cocktail he was using on July 26th comprised of Agenerase, Norvir, Epivir and Sustiva when he developed a heart murmur and chest pains. His physician took an EKG and said of the results: Most people end up in the hospital with a heart attack before their EKG looks this bad." Bob thought that Agenerase combined with the Norvir may have caused the heart malfunction.
At the time he went off the drug cocktail, his CD4 count was up to 120 from 6 and his viral load was down from 600,000 to 77. The chest pains have subsided since he stopped using the drug cocktail.
On August 14th, he had blood drawn for a viral load test and results are imminently awaited. These results will indicate how effective the 15 Earthrise Spirulina capsules have been in stopping the resurgence of the HIV virus since he stopped the drug cocktail as well as the effectiveness of the Transfer Factor Plus. Lab results are expected on Sept. 6th.
Sept. 6th update: Bob just faxed his latest lab results. His viral load after 2 and 1/2 weeks off the drug cocktail inched up to 4500, a small gain considering that in most persons viral rebound is up to 100,000 and more in the first two weeks and often returns to baseline in 8 weeks - that would be 600,000. Something is obviously working in his case. It is either the Spirulina or the Transfer Factor Plus or both. His CD4's declined from 120 to 83 while his total White Blood cells climbed above the normal reference range to 10.6 indicating a highly activated immune system fighting one or more infections.
In the last week of July, Bob Mitchell bought a 34 inch wide by 6 foot long magnetic pad from Envirotech that weighs 37 lbs. He is now sleeping on the pad every night. The pad has 300 magnets, each almost one inch thick with only the north pole field side of the magnets pointed up towards the body. The first ten minutes he laid on the pad September 2nd, he reported feeling nauseated, then very hot all over his body and then he broke out into a sweat. This all happened during the first 30 minutes. He has continued to use the pad daily and says these effects have subsided. He says the pad has caused a tranquil feeling all over his body. It had made him sleep deeper, given him mental clarity and reduced aches and pains as well. The reason for using magnetic therapy is based on research provided by Dr. William Philpott MD who has studied magnetic therapy for over 25 years and has written a book on the subject called the "Biomagnetic Handbook."
Dr. Philpott claims that a north pole magnetic field will stop viruses, fungus and most bacteria from growing. Philpott claims, as do sources in India, that the south pole of a magnet will have the opposite effect and will actually increase the growth of microbes and other infections. For this reason, bipolar magnetic pads from Japan and elsewhere are not expected to be useful for anti-viral purposes. The Envirotech magnetic pad was chosen because it was designed by Dr. Philpott and has a deep penetrating field due to the thickness of the magnets.
About 10 years ago, a reader with HIV placed a 4 x 6 x 1/2 inch ceramic magnet under his pillow with the north pole facing up and told me that in 2 days his swollen lymph nodes had shrunk to normal size. The use of a whole body magnetic pad has never before been tested in the treatment of HIV or in other conditions like Lou Gerig's disease now thought to be caused by an enterovirus in the spinal fluid.
Does the north pole magnetic field directly kill the viruses or does it alter the structure of the water so it can enter the cells and detoxify them and increase antigen presentation in the cells? Either way, it would be a non-invasive way of improving metabolic and immunological responses. He plans to get a new PCR test for HIV after using the magnetic pad for just 11 days and the next test is planned for Sept. 13th. If the whole body magnetic therapy works, it could benefit people in a full range of other infections from CFS to candidiasis to lyme to incurable Lou Gerigs's disease and possibly many more conditions. One thing neat about whole-body magnetic therapy is that it can penetrate the bone marrow and the blood brain barrier as well as all the cells in your body at the same time reaching places that many drugs and alternative therapies find hard to reach.
This afternoon, Sept. 6th, Bob says that the usual fatigue he gets in mid-afternoon did not return. While adding the magnetic therapy that consists or nothing more than sleeping on the pad every night, Bob is continuing with the Transfer Factor Plus (now down to 6 capsules a day) , the Earthrise Spirulina, the pectin/fiber/probiotic formula and several supplements to increase his glutathione levels. Bob Mitchell can be reached at 305-595-8092 for more information.
"I'd like to share a herbal remedy that helped to cure my acid reflux. After eating dinner one night in a restaurant, I developed excruciating pains in my chest - I thought I was having a heart attack. I was later diagnosed with hiatal hernia, and my doctor handed me a prescription for medication, which did little to relieve my pain. I decided to try fenugreek tea instead. I drank one cup of tea several times a daily. Within one week, all my symptoms disappeared. Inge B W. Hartford CT. 860-232-4270
In a separate letter from Inge, she reported a 76 yr. old friend with diabetes, depression, neuropathy, eye problems, high blood pressure and no energy who obtained relief with the whole lemon/olive oil drink that she used daily along with the X-40 Kit from the Kroger Herb CO. The X-40 Kit was developed by the late Hanna Kroger to fight viral infections. Inge writes that the X-40 Kit has been used for HIV, hepatitis C, breast cancer, M.S. and rheumatoid arthritis.
Editor's note: I'm aware of the X-40 Kit, but never knew anyone who used it and cannot comment on it except to say that a package of Indian herbs in the formula does not identify its contents. As for heartburn, I have found that the Fiber/Pectin blend called 84211 or a shorter version 841 solves that problem as well. Formula 841 can be made by mixing by weight 8 parts psyllium with 4 parts pectin and 1 part probiotics (acidopohilus and bifido bacteria). The formula can be enhanced by adding 2 parts Earthrise Spirulina or Klammath Falls blue-green algae or barley or wheat grass juice powder along with 1 part FOS or Jerusalem artichoke powder.
In regards to neuropathy caused by either HIV or Diabetes, I have had many other reports of the whole lemon/olive oil drink bring about complete relief from these symptoms.
Persons who are wasting, losing weight and are on the whole/lemon olive oil drink and also find that their saliva pH is below 6.4 especially if it is under 6.0 need to take Lime water (calcium hydroxide). Add 2 teaspoons of Lime water to a quart of water and drink this daily until saliva pH is back to 6.4. Weight gain should resume. Constant acid saliva pH indicates a deficiency of ionic calcium. After you stop using the Lime water, consider using Coral calcium and drink apricot juice or eat figs. All these, but especially the Lime water are very alkalizing on the system.
Two persons with CFIDS who have been constipated for years have found relief by grinding 2 tablespoons of whole flax seeds each day. The flax seed meal is mixed with apple sauce or yogurt. In addition, one teaspoon of castor oil taken twice daily has helped end years of chronic constipation.
© 2000 Keep Hope Alive, PO Box 270041, West Allis, WI 53227
Return to home pageMark Konlee
Two more persons trying 2 tbs. 3 times daily of cider vinegar reported no change in their HIV viral load but a third person did report a drop from 1 million to 300,000 in the PCR viral test for HIV and an increase in CD4 counts from 100 to 120 after using vinegar as a monotherapy for 30 days. Another person with severe Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) tried the cider vinegar 3 times a day and reported immediate relief from all the symptoms that have bothered him for the past 2 years. So far, about half the people are reporting some kinds of benefits from the use of vinegar and the other half say it made no difference.
Persons are continuing to report that the formula published in last months message has brought them normal appearing stools (floaters) and urine (yellow).
For persons premixing their own formulation, it is suggested that the juice of one-half lemon be added to a cup of water before adding the pectin/fiber blend called 84211. One more item of importance, I suggest only using the Earthrise Spirulina brand as they only produce the "platensis" strain that has been highly rated in laboratory studies as effective against lipid enveloped viruses.
Marie NaVeaux tried the original 84211 formula for the month of July, but had used the first batch with the Hawaiian strain of Spirulina. There was no decline in her viral load in spite of the fact the formula was successful in getting her stools and urine back to normal characteristics. She is now using an upgraded version of the original formula three times daily with the Earthrise Spirulina added in place of the Hawaiian Spirulina. As each serving of 84211 has one gram of Spirulina in it, Marie is taking 3 to 5 capsules of Earthrise Spirulina with each serving to give her a total of 7 to 10 grams daily of Spirulina. She has also added 5 cloves of raw garlic daily to her regimen. With only 3 CD4 cells and a viral load of 290,000, she needs all the help she can get. I suggested she go on a drug cocktail in her tenuous state, but she declines to do so at this time. She said she leads a full life but does take a drug to prevent PCP.
Hank Fiolle who has also used Formula 84211 during July, as a monotherapy for HIV, is getting his lab PCR test on August 2nd. His results will be known later this month.
Since raw garlic has been reported in published literature as highly effective against HIV and also very effective against fungal infections and many bacterial infections, adding 1 cup of chopped raw garlic to a quart of vinegar is, in my opinion, a viable low-cost treatment option. Shake the jar and store it in a refrigerator. Take 2 tablespoons of the vinegar/garlic extract in a glass of water 3 times a day and expect results, but surprisingly no bad body odor. There is no need to eat the garlic as the vinegar absorbs its antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
Using a vinegar extract of raw garlic was part of Elliot Corpus's impressive results reported last month.
Reader reports using Earthrise Spirulina for the past 5 years and a viral load for HIV that has never gone over 400
Ralph H told Keep Hope Alive in July that he has used 5 to 7 grams (5000 to 7000 mg) daily of Earthrise Spirulina continuously every day for the past 5 years. He has used drug cocktails intermittently. However, when he goes off the drug cocktails, his viral load never goes over 400. This is highly unusual as most persons will see their viral load go to 100,000 or higher when they stop the drug cocktails. It is possible, but certainly not conclusive based on one case, that the Spirulina is keeping his viral load down.
Note: Earthrise Spirulina told me in July that their tablets do break down in the intestines. However, I still say to be sure of absorption to use the capsules instead of the tablets. Earthrise Spirulina has an excellent website with several published scientific articles on Spirulina. www.earthrise.com. Ralph H's case is unique as he only used the "platensis" strain of Spirulina (from Earthrise) for the past 5 years and maintains an unusually low viral load when he stops using the drugs. Can these impressive results be duplicated in other persons with HIV?
Note: it takes 5 capsules or tablets 3 times a day to give you about 7 grams of Spirulina. This is about 1000 mg per 20 lbs of body weight daily. This might be an effective therapeutic dosage level. Ralph H can be reached in Florida at 954-568-3209 for more information.
Salt, as innocuous and as commonly used as white sugar, will inhibit the growth of yogurt cultures according to the results of an experiment I completed within the past few days.
A resident of my home town went on a very low-sodium diet during July to help him lose weight. He also reported that not only did he lose weight, but that the stools floated better and were more normal in appearance as a result of the low-sodium diet.
Successfully implanting friendly flora has been a major challenge for millions of people throughout the world. Several years ago, I added some of the common antimicrobials like sodium benzoate (common food preservatives found in many processed foods like canned soda) to a sample jar in a yogurt maker and found that all of the food preservatives I tested stopped the yogurt cultures from converting the milk into yogurt. I reasoned that food preservatives in general would impair the growth of acidophilus, bifidus and other strains of friendly flora. Isn't that what food preservatives are supposed to do - stop the growth of bacteria. Unfortunately, food preservatives don not distinguish the difference between friendly and unfriendly bacteria and suppress all of them.
Earlier in the last century before refrigeration, our ancestors used to store raw meat in a salt brine to preserve it. In the Middle East, these is a sea called the "DEAD SEA" because nothing can live in it due to its extremely high content of salt. Consumption of salt has been linked in medical literature to a wide range of diseases from obesity to diabetes to kidney failure to hypertension and heart disease.
Could salt that is added to nearly all processed foods be contributing to the difficulty of implanting friendly flora, to poor gastrointestinal health, a failure of mucosal immunity and thus impair cell-mediated immunity?
Within the past week, I have completed an experiment that will forever change the way I view this common seasoning agent that I have admittedly used for years. To 3 cups of milk, I added one-half teaspoon of Jarrowdophilus 6 strain flora mix and one tablespoon of lemon juice. I added the lemon juice to acidify the milk to stimulate the growth of the friendly flora. I poured the mix into 3 cups and placed them in a yogurt maker and labeled the 3 jars. Jar number 1 was the control, to jar number two I added 1/8th teaspoon of salt and to jar number three I added 1/4 teaspoon of salt. I mixed the salt into the milk and turned on the yogurt maker.
Ten hours later I unplugged the yogurt maker and examined the 3 jars. Jar number one, the control, had turned into a firm yogurt. Jar number 2 with 1/8th tsp. of salt has a slightly less firm yogurt but jar number 3 with 1/4 tsp. of salt added was still a liquid.
The results speak for themselves. Salt at the levels currently being used in many processed foods is sufficiently high enough to suppress the growth of the yogurt cultures, in this case, all the strains that were contained in the Jarrowdophilus probiotic blend.
Looking at the sodium content of canned soups at a local grocery store, a typical serving had about 1/4 teaspoon of salt or about 600 mg sodium. That is the equivalent of jar number 3 in the yogurt experiment. That means that most processed foods, even without adding food preservatives, may have enough salt (sodium chloride) in them to completely suppress the growth of acidophilus in the small intestines and at least partially suppress the growth of the bifidobacteria in the large intestines as the salt content of the chyme will diminish as the food passes through to the lower intestines.
What is evident is that ham, lunch meat, most canned soups, pizza and many other processed foods have enough salt added to completely suppress the growth of most of the important friendly flora that we rely upon for intestinal health and mucosal immunity.
Low-sodium alternatives are salt-free herbal combinations for seasoning food, cayenne, lemon juice, red wine vinegar and for raw or cooked vegetables, try Romano cheese - one or two teaspoons with each meal. There are 40 mg of sodium per teaspoon of Romano cheese. That is far better than just 1/8th tsp. of salt that has close to 300 mg of sodium. Since most Americans are consuming over 1 teaspoon of salt per day in the processed foods they eat, in fact, most people consume twice the RDA levels recommended by the FDA or about 5000 mg daily.
A good goal is to limit yourself to 150 mg or less of sodium added to food with each meal or to a total of 500 mg or less of salt daily. Salted butter contains as much as 85 mg of salt per tablespoon. Salt-free butter has 0 amount of salt in it. Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables have no salt added. Raw nuts like almonds and walnuts are salt-free although they contain some low amounts of natural sodium. Cheese has lots of salt added while ice-cream and milk usually have none added.
One thing is now very apparent since we know that the health of the gastrointestinal tract is the foundation for mucosal immunity and cell-mediated immunity, you cannot have a normal functioning immune system if you continue to consume the quantity of salt currently being consumed by the average American on the average diet. Since salt impairs the immune system, salt is a factor in the loss of natural immunity against cancer.
A diet high in salt will also weaken your natural immunity against HIV, HHV-6 and all other stubborn intracellular infections. In plain English, I can only conclude that salt, the innocuous seasoning that enhances the flavor of the food we eat is a poison and a toxin that damages us in more ways than we have realized.
About 15 years ago, a holistic dentist who removed my amalgam (mercury) fillings from my mouth told he never eats salt. He was slim as are most people who avoid salt. He told me that the Chinese used to eat salt to commit suicide. I did not listen to him at the time, but now realize how right he was. In reality, salt is America's number one chemical addition, followed by the more obvious one that is nicotine.
The US Navy tells sailors lost at sea not to drink the sea water, as it will make them more thirsty and the more they drink, the more likely they will have kidney and heart failure if they are not rescued on time. ABC news in July reported that due to a drought in Louisiana, the sea water had infiltrated rice paddies in the delta and that the salt water was killing the rice plants. When you look at any species of animals God created that lives in the wild, I have never seen one of them use a salt shaker on their food before they eat it. Sodium already exist in all wholesome foods in the right proportions that we need for our health and survival.
The time is overdue for all of us to realize the destructive effects of salt and start reading labels carefully and get on a salt-free or very low-sodium diet. After a week on a low-sodium diet, I find the food does not taste as flat as it did the first few days. I have used Romano cheese and sprinkle it over vegetables and find it adds a lot of flavor and just a little sodium. I also find that I am eating less and drinking more water and have a higher energy level. A handful of raw almonds or a raw apple can satisfy the need for a mid-afternoon or evening snack very nicely. Now when I think of salt, I think of the Dead Sea and I think of poison and say "No thanks."
One of our readers told me in July that Hepato C, a Chinese herbal formulation with 15 different herbs in it has successfully cleared Hepatitis C in a friend after 3 months. Another source has told me that the product has cleared hepatitis C is several persons. The dose was 2 capsules twice a day. Hepatitis C affects over 4 million Americans and has been called a silent killer. Symptoms include jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and a serious symptom that requires immediate attention. Stools tend to be either white or yellow and the urine will be brown, rather than a normal clear bright yellow color. The product cost about $27 for 100 capsules. The manufacturer, Pacific Biologic, can be contacted to help you find a local source at 925-673-2967. Hepato C was formulated by a Doctor of Oriental Medicine who had success treating his patients with hepatitis. I would like to hear from persons with hepatitis B or C who have used this product and their results.
Other products that have helped persons with hepatitis include Thymate, glutathione replacement (ImmunePro) and foods like winter squash and avocado's that are high in glutathione, along with castor oil packs over the liver area. Parsley, dandelion root, lemon juice, beet greens and raw beet juice have helped immeasurably. I think additional benefits would come from the formula 84211 especially with lemon juice added.
One of our readers who took a considerable amount of over-the-counter Ibuprofen reported it caused his kidneys to shut down and he had to go on a dialysis machine for a few days. Fortunately, he recovered. He said the resident nurse told him a medical doctor he knew died of kidney failure after taking too much Ibuprofen.
DNCB has been hard to come by these days as the DNCB Treatment Group no longer answers their phone and the Alternative Healing Fdn of San Francisco, CA has gone out of business.
Billi Goldberg who is an avid believer in DNCB and has co-authored articles on DNCB told me that DNCB can be obtained from Dr. Stricker at 415-283-1911 or on the internet at www.usmadocs.com/05hiv/index.htm. Billi Goldberg can be reached at 415-826-4928 for more information or email at BiGoldberg@aol.com.
In July, Twinlabs stopped making BHT, Butylated HydroxyToulene, an antioxidant that many people have used to prevent and treat herpes and other lipid-envelope infections. Several persons have called me asking where to obtain BHT and the answer is I have not been able to locate another source. Persons with herpes have had good results with LDM-100 (Lomatium dissectum) by the Spice West Co. LDM-100 can be used both topically and orally. Oral use: 40 drops in water 3 times a day. Topically: 10 drops in one tsp. of water and apply directly on the herpes lesions or shingles 3 times daily.
A reader with CFIDS called to report that 2 capsules 3 times daily made a significant difference in how she felt in about 2 weeks. She said: "my energy and well-being definitely improved." TF Plus is made by 4-Life Products (www-4-life.com) and has been compared to MGN3. In one study 2 caps twice a day increased Natural Killer cell function 269% in 3 weeks. Persons with cancer using TF + should work up to 6 or 9 capsules daily; with MGN3, 10 to 12 daily. (A higher dose is required to obtain these same results from MGN3).
A Natural Killer cell function test measures the ability of this type of white blood cell to lyse (kill) cancer cells in a lab. For more information on TF+, contact 4-Life products or call one or our readers, Jim Mayhew, at 515-472-1989.
A person with CFIDS who used ImmunePro said this is the best she has felt in 10 years. Persons with CFIDS are starting off with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon daily and not the full 10 grams suggested on the label. (www.immunepro.com). In my view, both TF+ and ImmunePro are a very powerful combo and even more so when combined with Formula 84211.
A visit to a local medical library failed to turn up the article I sought to retrieve published in 1993 in Planta Med Apr;59(2):148-51 by Lau AF et al on their testing of 900 strains of blue-green algae for their antiviral effects on HIV. The library did not even carry this medical journal. I wanted to identify the 18 strains that were mentioned in the abstract as "promising." Anyone with access to a local medical library is encouraged to try to find this article and send me a copy.
A significant amount of research on the health effects of Spirulina platensis can be found at the website of Earthrise Spirulina at www.earthrise.com. The Platensis strain of Spirulina has been identified in several published scientific journals as highly effective against HIV in laboratory studies. Still no controlled studies in persons with HIV. A source at Earthrise told me that they only grow and sell the "platensis" strain.
I asked the lady at Earthrise what would be a therapeutic dose for someone with HIV and she told me the government won't allow them to give out advice for the treatment of AIDS and other diseases. So far I have only one case to report, that of Ralph H, mentioned earlier in this newsletter who used about 7 grams daily for the past 5 years and also used drug cocktails intermittently. Yet, when he goes off the drug cocktails, the highest his viral goes is 400, almost still non-detectable by at least one earlier standard.
Is it natural immunity he has against HIV or is the Spirulina effectively keeping the virus suppressed? I hope we get better results with Spirulina than we did with the vinegar, not hit and miss results, but consistent results for everyone. So I advise everyone trying Spirulina to use at least 1000 mg (1 gram) per 20 lbs of body weight daily. i.e. if you weigh 140 lbs, use 7 grams daily; if you weigh 200 lbs, use 10 grams daily and so forth. I believe the calculations I made last month were correct as far as a therapeutic dose is concerned. However, time, more volunteers and lab results will tell us in a few months if we finally found the mother lode or are on yet another roller coaster ride.
Research done at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston in 1996 by Ayehunie, Belay, Hu, BABA and Ruprecht found that at a concentration of 100 mcg/ml, HIV was inhibited 90 to 100% without toxicity using the "platensis" strain of Spirulina furnished by Earthrise Farms.
© 2000 Keep Hope Alive, PO Box 270041, West Allis, WI 53227
Mark Konlee
Searching to find a low-cost breakthrough for treating HIV/AIDS is like country dancing. It is two steps forward and one step backward and not always in that order. In the current issue of Positive Health News, I had high hopes for vinegar becoming a low-cost monotherapy breakthrough. That it is low-cost is unquestionable; that it is a monotherapy breakthrough is now doubtful.
Within the past month, Fred H, Marie NaVeaux and Norman have all reported no change in either the viral load count or CD4 counts even after using a high dose of 2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks. This news was disappointing, especially after two earlier reports from Stephen N and Richard M who reported reaching non-detectable viral loads with vinegar using 2 tablespoon 4 times a day or in the case of Richard using 4 vinegar tablets 4 times a day.
One consistent observation in the 5 vinegar monotherapy cases (2 at low dose and 3 at a higher dose) is that all five persons reported sinking stools. These observations (stools that sink) have been linked to a deficiency of bifido bacteria in the large intestines and thus an alkaline environment in the colon that creates a favorable pH environment for HIV and other unfriendly flora to replicate. Since 1993, we have observed that persons who have stools that float on water have stable CD4 Helper cell counts or are on the increase. Some of the persons who have used vinegar and reported viral loads declining have also reported that the vinegar helped restore normal floaters.
It is still evident that the pharmaceutical drugs used to treat HIV are far more effective than any alternative low-cost treatments presently being used, even though the drugs are often accompanied by side effects and sometimes viral resistance. However, the present setback will not deter our efforts to find a low-cost treatment breakthrough that is needed now more than ever in the poorer nations.
In spite of the current disappointment with vinegar monotherapy, vinegar combined with drug cocktails has produced positive results in several cases including CD4 increases and viral load declines (some to non-detectable level such as tomkara@windo.missouri.org) and a resolution of chronic diarrhea in 3 cases. Persons with CFIDS have reported resolution of stomach discomfort and increased energy.
New York: Elliot Corpus contacted me on June 20th to share his latest experiences. He had been on a study using IL-2 daily injections of 2 million units since Feb., 1999, as noted in last month's message and had a hip injury and some necrosis in the hip area. As part of this study, he obtains weekly lab results.
In May, I suggested he try cider vinegar to help unstick the blood cells that were probably causing poor capillary circulation (i.e. blood stickiness) in the hip area. On June 20th, he told me that he had walked with a limp for several months, had aching joints all the time and chronic diarrhea but that it had now stopped. He credited the vinegar for these improvements.
To recap events, on April 5th, 2000, he had a viral load of 93, 814 and a CD4 count of 319. Early in May, he started on Ziagen (Abacavir), DDI and Viramune. He became very sick on this combination but continued with the daily IL-2 injections. On May 23rd, his CD4's were at 300 and viral load at 45,000. On May 28th, he dropped the Ziagen and DDI and started using Viramune, D4T(Zerit) and 3TC(Epivir). He tolerated this new combination well. A PCR test on June 6th showed his viral load had dropped to 13,532 and his CD4s were now at 686; CD8's at 1802.
On June 8th, 10 days after starting on Viramune, D4T and 3TC, he still had diarrhea and constant aching joints and walked with a limp and decided to start using 2 tablespoon of vinegar 3 times a day. However, to a quart of vinegar, he had added 1/2 cup of chopped raw garlic cloves. He quartered each clove and added it to the vinegar and did not use a blender. He shook the jar a couple of times each day. This is the mixture he used - the same as was used by 3 French thieves 500 years ago that protected them from the plague.
Within 24 hours, he reported his diarrhea had stopped and that all the aches in his joints was gone. He said: "I no longer walk with a limp." On June 13th he had another viral load test, his CD4's were up to 1638, CD8's up to 2711 and the viral load now stood at 378. He continued on this protocol (daily IL-2 injections, Viramune, D4T and 3TC and the cider vinegar/garlic blend). On June 20th, another set of lab results showed the CD4's at 1150, CD8's at 2700 and viral load at 359. This is the most pleased Elliot has been with any treatment he has tried since becoming HIV+. Among the many parts to his protocol, I wouldn't give all the credit to any one or two, but to some unique synergism among the six components used. For more information, contact Elliot at 212-414-2474.
Okla City, OK: Craig F reports that about 6 years ago when he used 2 teaspoons daily of Klammath Falls Blue-green algae that it increased his CD4 counts from 400 to 900 and that his stools always floated. Craig has never used any drugs but has always self-treated. About 2 years ago he stopped using the blue-green algae and his CD4's have dropped to 350 and he is having symptoms of immune depression. I suggested he resume what was working for him 6 years ago.
Several compounds that inhibit HIV have been found in blue-green algae (sulfoglycolipids, fucoidan, hydroquinones). In March, 2000, Schaeffer and Krylov found that sulfated homopolysaccharides in blue green algae was especially effective against the virus and wrote that "the presence of the sulfate group is necessary for anti-HIV activity." (1) Several researchers have referred to blue-green algae as "cyanobacteria." Ayehunie et al found that Spirulina platensi directly inactivated HIV (2).
Loya S et al identified sulfoglycolipids in blue-green algae (Spirulina) as reverse transcriptase inhibitors of HIV (3). A research group at the National Cancer Institute identified yet another anti-HIV protein from blue-green algae called cyanoviron-N in 1997 (4).
Earlier in 1996, researchers in Japan, Hayashi et al, found that calcium spirulan, derived from Spirulina, inhibited both HIV and HSV-1. They reported that calcium spirulan also inhibited herpes. Using three different assays, they reported that calcium spirulan "is a potent antiviral agent against both HIV-1 and HSV-1."(5)
In another article by Hayashi in 1996, he reported that Calcium spirulan inhibited several lipid-enveloped viruses including herpes type 1, cytomegalovirus, measles, mumps, influenza A and HIV-1. He found calcium spirulan to be a fusion inhibitor - preventing these viruses from attaching to and infecting new cells (6).
After searching all the published scientific research, I have been unable to find a single article on chlorella. I did find a very important article by Lau AF et of the Cancer Research Center in Honolulu that indicated they tested over 900 strains of blue-green algae and found 18 that were highly effective. Lau said that they were just as effective as AZT at a dose of 668 ng/ml.(7). Since I only read the abstract and plan to retrieve the entire article, I will report more on what I find about spirulina next month.
The species of blue-green algae referred to in several of the published articles that was highly effective against HIV and other lipid-enveloped viruses is Spirulina platensi the type commonly sold in health food stores. One of the major drawbacks with tantalizing published research is that they usually don't carry it to its next logical step - an in-vivo study where the product is tested on humans. Sources have told me that some pharmaceutical companies are attempting to develop new drugs for HIV that are fusion inhibitors that will be patented synthesized versions of the natural fusion inhibitors that exist in spirulina. Patented drugs carry a high price in our capitalistic society and won't solve the world's needs for a low-cost treatment for HIV/AIDS and other lipid envelope epidemics like HHV-6.
Since we have no controlled studies to go by, we will watch the dosage levels that work in anecdotal cases to increase the CD4's and reduce the viral load. One case I reported earlier in this newsletter was successful using 2 teaspoons daily of the Klammath Falls Blue green algae. That would suggest a therapeutic dose of 1 gram (1000 mg) per 20 lbs of body weight per day.
For the average adult that would be about 2 rounded teaspoons of Spirulina daily - about 8 to 10 grams. If you are using capsules, use about 1000 mg per 20 lbs of body weight daily - preferably divided into 3 doses about 8 hours apart or take with meals.
There are too many binding agents in the tablets that will probably interfere with the absorption and effectiveness of the spirulina. We have ran into problems with tablets several times before with other products including olive leaf extract and glucosamine sulfate. Capsules just work better - these binding agents added to tablets just plain interfere with the absorption and effective of the products. It is unfortunate that tablets often do not work as well as capsules as the tablets usually cost less. However, what value is it to save a little money and loose out on the effectiveness of the product?
The most cost-effective way of buying Spirulina or the Klammath Falls blue-green algae is in bulk. Spirulina costs a lot less that the Klammath Falls algae, although the Klammath Falls blue-green algae is thought to be more therapeutic. Earthrise Spirulina is available in bulk and in vegicaps and reasonably priced. If you use the vegicaps, you will need about 5 with each meal 3 times a day. With the Klammath Falls algae, I would try 3 with each meals 3 times a day. Klammath Falls algae is reported by Jeff Brookner to be a strong stimulator of the adrenal glands.
I would suggest that any new comers to spirulina to start off with one vegicapsule with each meal and work up to 5 with each meal. Listen to your body and reduce the dose if it over stimulates you. Earthrise spirulina vegicaps costs about $15 for 140 capsules. That is just under a 2 week supply.
The big drawback with eating spirulina powder is the unpleasant strong taste. If you can tolerate the taste, buy it by the pound and save money; otherwise use the vegicaps and be sure avoid the tablets.
For several years and in the past year especially, I have observed that persons with HIV, CFIDS, FM, MCS, hepatitis, cancer and chronic candidiasis, who are not recovering from these conditions, have all consistently reported sinking stools and clear urine. It is our observations that acidophilus and bifido bacteria that produce B vitamins will cause the urine to turn a shade of yellow and that the friendly flora also produce short-chain fatty acids that cause the stools to float on water. For the past several years, the single most effective treatment to restore floating stools and yellow urine has been the "cultured cabbage juice drink" reported in my book. Its main advantage - low-cost. Its disadvantage - the smell and taste of sauerkraut juice that needs to be consumed 2 or 3 times a day to give consistent results.
A phone call early in June from a reader who had sinkers for the past two years reported obtaining floaters in 2 weeks by mixing 1 tsp. of pectin with 1 heaping tsp. of psyllium powder. Here is the formula:Mix all five ingredients together in a bowl and pour back into a large jar and store in a refrigerator. Dosage: Add one rounded teaspoon to a cup of water in a pint jar. Shake it and drink it immediately along with 3 vinegar tablets. Do this 2 or 3 times daily. Stools should start floating in a few days and urine should be yellow after one week.
Note: Researchers have found that Spirulina (blue-green algae) feeds the growth of friendly flora.
When I heard of the success is obtaining floating stools with the pectin/fiber blend early in June, I decided to give it a try as I was having sinkers at the time. Within 24 hours, the BMs were back to normal - large diameter and floaters.
Later in June, I sent a more complete variation of this formula (#84211) to Marie NaVeaux and Hank Fiolle. Both reported having sinking stools and clear urine for the past 2 years. Now both have reported floating stools within the first 24 hours of using Formula 84211. To recap, Marie adds one cup of water to a pint jar and 1 heaping teaspoon of Formula 84211, then shakes the jar for a few seconds and consumes it immediately along with 3 vinegar tablets. She does this before meals 3 times a day. She also reports that her fatigue ended the first day she used the new formula. She told me "I am having great results."
Considering that Marie has never used prescription antivirals for HIV and her last lab results show a CD4 count of 5 and a HIV viral load of 250,000, time is clearly running out for her to find answers that work. After just 2 weeks on this formula, she said she will obtain lab tests on July 7th. If there is no substantial movement down in the viral load or up in the CD4 counts, she said she will consider trying a drug cocktail combination. For more information, Marie can be reached at her new phone number in Albq, NM at 505-345-2073.
Hank Fiolle has tried several different protocols proposed by us over the past year and a half. His previous stats in April, 2000, were CD4's 350 and PCR for HIV at 30,000. He sent me an email on June 29th that his stools were now floating for the first time in 2 years and that his urine has finally turned yellow. He had new lab tests taken on the day he started the new formula - June 27th. He has never used any prescription anti-virals for HIV. He is also using the new formula with the vinegar tablets 3 times a day. Hank can be reached on the internet at higherpower2000@juno.com to monitor his results.
Commentary/analysis: Now that the characteristics of the stools and urine have returned to normal in both cases, what will happen to the viral load and the T cell counts during the coming month?
I previously reported that pectin draws toxins out of the blood, liver and lymph. Toxins dumped into secondary bile from the liver is thought to be responsible for killing off the friendly intestinal flora.
Published research indicates pectin removes pesticides from the body. In animal experiments, it increased intestinal IgA, reduced IgE and reduced PGE2, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect. Immunoglobulin type A (IgA) is known to be essential in restoring mucosal immunity. In Germany, a combination of pectin and lecithin has been used to cure gastric ulcer lesions in horses (1). Researchers in Israel report that pectin is used by colonic bacteria to produce short chain fatty acids and that this may account for its protective effects against colorectal cancer (2). Pectin is a water soluble fiber. Significant amounts of water soluble fiber are also found in oatmeal. By increasing butyrate levels, pectin increases mucin production in the colon. Mucin is that protective film necessary for mucosal immunity and to heal a leaky gut.
Food combinations: Cranberries and apples (especially green apples) are known to be high in pectin. Pectin is also found in the rinds of citrus fruits. One reader who had stools that sank all the time reports that since she started eating oatmeal with Granny Smith apple sauce for breakfast that her stools now float about half the time. Applesauce or cranberry sauce on whole grain bread would be a good combination to promote bifido bacteria. Applesauce with buckwheat pancakes should be very effective in promoting intestinal flora. By taking a few blue-green algae or spirulina capsules and a probiotic with each meal should produce even better results.
By increasing the good bacteria to the max, all the unfriendly bacteria will stop replicating or be substantially suppressed. Ultimately, stool analysis of normal stools should indicate increased butyrate levels, the strong presence of acidophilus and bifido bacteria and a more acidic colonic pH. What has been reported in lab results from persons with sinking stools and clear urine is a very alkaline stool pH, little or no butyrate, acidophilus or bifido bacteria is to be found.
The vinegar tablets are taken along with formula 84211 to acidify the mixture and to slow down the vinegar absorption until it is deep in the colon where most of the unfriendly bacteria/fungus and HIV reside. Whether the new strategy leads to a significant drop in HIV and other pathogens remains to be seen.
© 2000 Keep Hope Alive, PO Box 270041, West Allis, WI 53227
May 17, 2000
Dear Mark,
We are very much delighted to hear of HIV treatment using Apple Cider Vinegar (Positive Health News, No 20) which is less expensive and may be affordable by many of us in developing countries. It is our humble request that you provide us with more information on the treatment. We intend to put some of our members on this treatment soon.
Benson Okall
Jowi Joint Research Services
Nairobi, Kenya.
In my reply to Mr. Jowi I suggested the use of vinegar six times a day - one tablespoon upon rising, one in mid-afternoon and one before bedtime plus one tablespoon in a glass of water with each meal. The rationale for this less convenient schedule is based on two theories. 1. The 3 times a day eight hours apart dosing schedule is to keep the use of this anti-viral treatment constant around the clock and 2. The reason to use vinegar with meals is to acidify the chyme (the food we eat) as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract so as to inactivate any new viral activity occurring during the digestive process. The reason for this is that researchers have found most HIV resides in the gut and since CD4 receptors are most active during the digestive process, they are also most vulnerable to HIV infection. Until more lab results come in, the jury is out on which dosing sequence will be most effective - eight hours apart, with meals only or both.
I also suggested two ways to improve the vinegar drink. One is to add 1/4 cup of raw garlic cloves, cut up, to each quart of vinegar (or to grind up the cloves of garlic with the vinegar). Raw garlic is known to inactivate the HIV virus and it would make sense to combine it with vinegar. Also the garlic odor in the vinegar is absorbed by the vinegar and does not leave a body odor like eating raw garlic does.
The other suggestion is to add 1/2 cup of honey to 3 and 1/2 cups of vinegar to sweeten it and make the drink more pleasant. Honey and vinegar have been combined in the past as a drink for various health related conditions ranging from arthritis to high blood pressure to common infections. Raw honey, like vinegar, does not spoil at room temperature. Nature has placed in both honey and vinegar its own natural preservatives. A priest told me several ago that he cured many topical skin infections by placing honey on them. He also claimed to have cured many internal infections by placing the person on a fast of honey and water. Honey, like vinegar, has a low pH, is acidic and contains many unique acids but has never been clinically tested in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.
New York: A phone call from Richard M around May 15th reported on the use of cider vinegar tablets in the treatment of HIV. Richard said he used 4 tablets 4 times a day since early April. He said he quit his drug cocktail around the middle of March and was using vinegar tablets as a monotherapy during April. He claims his viral load dropped from 28000 to non-detectable levels and his CD4's increased from 270 to 390. I did not see his lab results and cannot confirm his report at this time. He said that 2 tablets of the brand he used was the equivalent of one tablespoon of liquid vinegar. 16 tablets a day would have been the equivalent of 8 tablespoons of vinegar a day.
Another person, Fred H, who used a lower dose of 2 tablets 3 times a day (the equivalent of 3 tablespoons) reported no change in either his viral load or CD4 counts when the PCR test was taken one week apart. He also reports that a brand sold in cobalt-blue bottle called "Naturally" brand was more effective in resolving a gastrointestinal diarrhea than was the Nature's Life or Theratech brand suggested in the latest issue of Positive Health News. He has since started on liquid vinegar, 2 tablespoons 2 times a day plus 8 to 12 vinegar tablets (Naturally Cider Vinegar) and will have lab results in the first week of June. He claims that since starting on the liquid vinegar he has gained 10 pounds. He says of all the alternative therapies he has tried in the past 2 years, the ones he found most effective was the liquid vinegar and the Venus-fly trap extract.
Marie N, who used one tablespoon of liquid vinegar along with bee propolis and IP6 for two weeks before her last test reported a small increase in CD4 counts after two weeks but no decline in her viral load. At my urging, she has increased her intake to 2 tablespoons 3 times a day. She says she has more energy since using the vinegar and feels fine. She is not using any prescribed drugs for HIV at this time.
An email from Matt, (New York) had the most unusual protocol of all. After taking 6 anti-retroviral drugs for HIV during all of 1999, in January, he decided on his own to use the drugs for one week on and then take 3 weeks off in a pulsed protocol. His viral load in January was less than 50 and his CD4's were 287. By March 15th, his viral load was 165 and his CD4's were 220 and CD8's were 957. He always used the 6 drug combo for one week before going in for his lab tests. In the first week of April, he started using vinegar, 2 tablespoons, twice a day and did not use any drugs until the last week of April - a 5 week drug holiday. A May 1st blood draw found his viral load at 981, his CD4's at 314 and CD8's at 1134.
He attributes the increase in his CD4's and CD8's to the use of the vinegar. He said this is the first time in 2 years of using prescribed drugs that his CD4's are over 300. He said he was pleased with the results even though his viral load increased slightly. He attributed this to being off the 6 drug combo for 5 weeks from March 15 through April 21st when he resumed their use for one week. I added the observation that had he used a higher dose of vinegar, 2 tablespoons 3 times a day that his viral load might have been lower.
CA: Michael D who has been self treating himself for HIV for the past 12 years reports that since adding 2 tablespoon of cider vinegar twice daily for the past 2 months, his viral load has dropped from 7000 to 1000.
A reader reports that vinegar is not compatible with Doxil. After using the chemotherapeutic drug, Doxil, for KS lesions, he reported the lesions stopped shrinking when he added cider vinegar to his daily regimen. After three weeks, he stopped the vinegar and continued on the Doxil and his KS lesions continued shrinking. The effect of the vinegar on his HIV are not known as no PCR test was taken at the end of the 3rd week.
I gave him my opinion that since vinegar is a powerful detoxifying agent, it may have caused the body to break down the Doxil rendering it ineffective. I told the reader that a drug addict once told me that drinking a cup of vinegar would clear all the drugs from his blood in a few hours. Last year, another drug addict claimed that pectin could also clear drugs from the blood in a few hours. A question now arises whether vinegar is compatible with other chemotherapeutic drugs that are used in treating cancer. It may not be if it causes the body to break down these drugs more quickly. With persons using protease inhibitors and vinegar, a loss of antiviral effect from the protease inhibitors may not show up due to vinegar's own antiviral effects. My best educated guess, at this juncture, is that vinegar may be more compatible with the non-protease inhibitor drugs like Viramune, Sustiva, D4T and 3TC.
Based on very preliminary observations, it appears that a lower dose of vinegar, one tablespoon 3 times a day will not be sufficient as a monotherapy to reduce the HIV viral load but may be sufficient to increase CD4 counts in persons using other antivirals. It seems that 2 tablespoons 3 or 4 times a day will be the required dose as a monotherapy to both reduce the viral load and increase the CD4 counts. No one yet knows the long term effectiveness of vinegar but no adverse side effects are being reported. Will the vinegar sweetened with honey be just as effective as using plain vinegar? Time and more lab results will tell. At least 3 more key lab results are due early in June, one from Fred H, one from Marie N and one from Doug all of whom are using 6 to 8 tablespoons daily and are not using prescribed anti-virals at this time.
Terry H who has HHV-6 infection said that just one tablespoon of cider vinegar with each meal has made a huge difference in how she feels.
Brien Q writes: I read the most recent Positive Health News with much anticipation. I suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome and food allergies with frequent digestive problems like occasional loose and putrefied bowel movements. I tried 2 tablespoons of vinegar in water and found it to be greatly energizing. At the same time, the next day my BM was a solid floater and smelled normal.
CA: Marquita writes that the "cultured cabbage drink" described in my book when used along with Vital Biotics are increasing stool diameter and that she finally has floaters, something that has not happened in years. "My intestinal health is definitely improving," she said.
IL: Nancy who has severe food allergies, candida, chronic fatigue along with occasional severe headaches says her stomach burns when she uses even one teaspoon of cider vinegar in a glass of water. She says she has not had a normal BM, floating stool in the past 10 years. I suggested she use the vinegar with meals and use a smaller dose, if need be, because it is doing her intestinal health much good. I told her the burning means she has an inflamed and weak intestinal lining. The acetic acid in vinegar along with butyric acid (found naturally in butter) will help heal and rebuild the intestinal lining. As her intestinal membranes rebuild, she will be able to increase the amount of vinegar she uses and will tolerate it better.
Dr. Barry Neuman DDS told me last month that after drinking 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar twice a day for about a week that he had a colonic and hundreds of dead parasites could be seen in the discharge water. He said that a Dr. Lancaster MD told him that when you acidify the pH of the colon the parasites will all die.
Dr. Neumann stated that over the past several years he has tried most of the available treatments to kill parasites but found none worked as good as vinegar. He can be reached at 505-323-2129 for more information.
One of our readers, Elliot Corpus, reported that he has been on low-dose interluken-II (IL-2) injections since Feb., 1999, as an alternative to taking drug cocktails for HIV. Last summer he had an accident and an injury in the hip area that has refused to heal. There are signs of impaired circulation and some tissue is dying. The doctors are talking about surgery. I asked Elliot if there might be a connection between the hip not healing and the IL-2. He said "I didn't think of that," but added that his cortisol levels and TNF levels were both very elevated. He said that his doctor said that IL-2 can elevate both cortisol and TNF levels and has done so in his other patients using IL-2.
My comment: "This is ominous and alarming. In your condition, you want to lower both the cortisol and the TNF levels, not raise them." I suggested he stop the IL-2 therapy. I also expressed the view that the IL-2 may be causing the blood cells to stick together and is impairing capillary circulation and that this could be the underlying cause of the necrosis in the tissue in his hips.
My suggestions: cayenne, vinegar, pectin and sea minerals to stop the blood cells from sticking together and to improve circulation. If you want to do more for antivirals, add Zerit (D4T) and Epivir (3TC), but stay off the protease inhibitors for now. Elliot can be reached at 212-414-2474 for more information.
This past week a reader with chronic pain in the colon and bladder reported complete relief within one-half hour after taking 1000 mg of taking MethylSulfonylMethane (MSM). He said that taking even one teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water caused his stomach to burn but after taking the MSM, he now can take a full tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of water and notices nothing - no more burning in the stomach. He said MSM has worked miracles for him.
Mark Konlee
Reducing HIV viral loads to non-detectable levels is common place with pharmaceutical drug cocktails. It is a rare event when someone tries an alternative over-the-counter product and obtains the same result - a non-detectable viral load. This once in a "blue moon" event occurred here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 8, 2000.
Around January 31st, I received a call from Stephen N., who had moved out of West Allis about 18 months ago and was living on Milwaukee's north side. While Stephen had been diagnosed HIVPlus several years ago, he had never progressed to full blown AIDS, but had many gastrointestinal problems. He said: "I can't keep any food down. I have constant stomach cramps." I asked if he was taking any drugs for HIV and he said; "how can I, I would just vomit them up."
I asked him if his physician had checked for an intestinal infection. He said they had and he had been treated for a salmonella infection with antibiotics. He told me the doctor told him they could no longer find any trace of the salmonella. Then I said: "there must be some other undiagnosed infection in the intestines." I asked him:"Has your doctor prescribed any treatment?" Stephen: "Nothing other than pain killers. I still cannot keep any food down." At this point I suggested he try apple cider vinegar.
I suggested he use 2 or 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water 3 or 4 times daily. This was on Jan 31, 2000. I said that vinegar might kill off whatever was bothering him or it might not work at all. I added: "I could suggest several other things, but why not start with the vinegar and see if it helps."
Later that evening, Stephen went to a local grocery store and bought a quart of vinegar, choosing the first bottle of vinegar in his sights - a quart of white vinegar. Stephen said: "As I walked out (of the store), I opened the bottle and slammed down a mouthful." I said:"Full strength?" Stephen: "Yes, I could feel the vinegar as it traveled through my intestines."
The next day, Stephen would add about 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a glass and add some water and slam it down. He did this 3 or 4 times a day. A few days after starting on the vinegar, he called and said that his stomach was 80% improved. At the time he called, around Feb. 2nd or 3rd, he did not tell me how much he was actually using. The details described here were not known to me until I had an extensive conversation with him around March 15th.
About February 15th, he had called me and said his viral load was non-detectable and that his doctor could not figure out what was happening. Previously he had told me that he was on a drug cocktail last year and I assumed at the time that the drug cocktail was what had brought his viral load down to non-detectable levels.
Around noon on March 10th, he called to ask if I had any work for him to do to earn a few dollars and I told him I did not at this time. He again brought up the subject of his non-detectable viral load and I said that when people use drug cocktails, non-detectable viral loads are common. I asked him, "what was your viral load before the last test?"
At the time I told Stephen that maybe the non-detectable viral load was a delayed reaction to a DNCB treatment he had done a few years earlier. I told him "I don't know why your viral load is non-detectable - sometimes things like this just happen and we don't understand why." With this our conversation ended.
Later that evening, I was eating a salad at home and discussed Stephen's case with Tim, a mutual friend. As I was pouring some apple cider vinegar on my salad, I suddenly recalled that I had told Stephen late in January or early February to drink some apple cider vinegar for an intestinal problem. I said to Tim: "I wonder if the vinegar Stephen used had anything to do with his non-detectable viral load." I got up from the table and started to walk to the phone to call Stephen and the phone rang before I reached it. It was Stephen calling me.
I asked him --
When was this test taken that showed that your viral load had become non-detectable?
Stephen: My viral load is back - at 220,000. However, my CD4's have increased further - now up to 670. My doctor is more confused than ever now.
Mark: Understandably. That is an interesting set of numbers. Your viral load and CD4's are going up together. I know that you don't read my monthly reports, but in December, 1999, I reported that Robert M from Brooklyn, NY, told me that he started taking cayenne and apple cider vinegar orally for two weeks. At the time he was also on a triple drug cocktail for HIV. He used cayenne capsules with each meal and took 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before bedtime for two weeks before his last test. His CD4's increased from 224 to 289; CD8's from 500 to 900 and WBC's from 5.5 to 6.9. His viral load remained the about the same declining slightly from 10,600 to 10,300.
As I look at your lab results and that of Bob's, I can initially surmise that taking vinegar once a day or once every other day may increase the CD4's but not decrease the viral load, while taking vinegar 3 or 4 times a day may do both - increase the CD4's and decrease the viral load. While using 2 tablespoons of vinegar 4 times a day apparently reduced you viral load to non-detectable levels, what would taking one tablespoon of vinegar 4 times a day do or taking 2 tablespoons every 12 hours (twice a day) or taking one tablespoon every eight hours (3 times a day) do to both the CD4's and the viral load?
A third case report comes from Brian V of San Francisco. Around March 17th, I talked with Brian who shared his experiences of the past year. He picked up a copy of Positive Health News, Report No 18, in May, 1999. This was the issue on "A Consumer's Guide to Immune Restoration." After following much of the dietary and nutritional advice since June, 1999, he contacted me in the past month.
Brian told me that he chose not to go on drug cocktails since his HIV diagnosis last year. He told me that in May of last year, his viral load was 184,000 and this CD4 count was 347. Today he reports a viral load of 31,000 as of Feb., 2000 and a CD4 count of 288 although early in January of this year, he states that the viral load had dropped to 13,127.
Since June of last year his viral load declined first to 113,000 in July; to 45,000 in August; to 36,000 in November; to 32,000 in December and to 13,127 in early January of 2000. Starting in June of last year he reports he consumed 5 to 8 cloves of raw garlic daily but stopped in January as the raw garlic was too hard on his stomach. He switched to a garlic capsule after which his viral load increased to 31,000.
asked him if used vinegar. He said: "it is interesting that you ask. I have used 2 or 3 tablespoons of Balsamic vinegar every day on a salad since last summer." Brian also indicated that he had used olive oil daily for the past two years and in since summer, he has used some Chinese herbs and Resihi mushrooms.
After listening to his protocol, I gave him my interpretation of what I thought had happened. I told him that I thought it was the raw garlic and the vinegar that had brought his viral load down from 184,000 to 13,000. When he stopped the raw garlic and went to garlic capsules, he lost the antiviral effect from the raw garlic and his viral load rebounded to 31,000. I then told him I thought that the Balsamic vinegar he used every day had a strong antiviral effect. The reason the viral load did not go to undetectable levels was that he only used the vinegar only once a day.
I explained to him Stephen's experience with the vinegar he used 3 or 4 times a day for 8 days that brought his viral load to non-detectable levels. I told him that I thought the secret to effective antiviral therapy against HIV or any other virus was in the timing of the doses to more effectively disrupt the viral replication cycle. I suggested that Brian try one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water 3 times a day and exactly 8 hours apart. I suggested to use the drink upon rising, once in the middle of the day (mid-afternoon) and just before bedtime.
Brian said he would try this immediatley. He can be reached at 415-922-3853 to follow his progress on this new protocol.
The original Marc Correa protocol was written in July of 1997. Earlier this week, I attempted to reach him by phone at his grandfather's home. His grandfather told me that Marc had moved out and he did not know his new phone number. I left my phone number with him and he promised to give it to Marc on his next visit.
For almost 3 years, I have analyzed the Marc Correa protocol looking for the secret of his success and have had two earlier interpretations on this subject. Now I have a third. It is this: It was the timing of the antivirals he took that brought his viral load down to non-detectable levels.
I recall that Marc told me he used the herbal antivirals 3 times a day spaced at the same times he previously used when he was on a drug cocktail that had produced intolerable side effects. As I recall, they were about 8 hours apart. In hindsight, I now regret having not published this small detail that glided right past my conscious mind at the time. I now recall him telling me that he used the whole lemon/olive oil drink at times that would have been about 12 hours apart. While I now recall this information from our conversation, he also failed to include it in the written copy of the protocol he mailed me in July, 1997.
"if persons with HIV used drugs cocktails like most people have used alternative therapies, most would have failed on these regimens long ago"
Last week, I met a friend, Rob, whom I haven't seen in years who is a graduate from medical school. To my surprise, he told me he was selling pharmaceuticals. I said: "so you are a drug salesman." He said "yes, but the legal ones." While we both nursed a beer at a local Pub, I discussed with him the amazing results of the vinegar treatment for HIV as relayed to me by Stephen and we got into the subject of the timing of dosages.
Rob told me that the pharmaceutical companies know that the timing of doses in prescription drugs was critical for treatment success. I asked him why timing would be important for an antiviral treatment? Rob replied: "if the timing between doses is too long, you will have a significant viral rebound. The amount of the drug in the blood has to be kept at a certain level to keep the virus suppressed."
I then said: Why did you not tell me this 7 years ago when we held long talks on all the various treatments for HIV? He replied: "I wasn't aware of this 7 years ago and it never occurred to me. You know that the mindset of people using alternative therapies and those using only drugs are at odds. Both sides do not communicate with each other. If persons with HIV used drugs cocktails like most people have used alternative therapies, most would have failed on these regimens long ago"
I replied: "You are right. Viral rebound does not just occur when you have a lab test, it can occur in any 24 hour period that viral suppression stops. When I look back at the Marc Correa protocol, I now realize that the timing of the doses he took was just as important as what he used. This concept of timing is very simple. I wish I would have thought of this years ago. Many of the alternative treatments that we sent down the pike now need to be retrieved and properly retested on a structured schedule where the doses are properly timed."
On a side note, I asked Rob why the pharmaceutical companies did not come up with more cures for diseases. He said:"Cures, there is no money in cures. Most drugs are designed to alleviate symptoms. This way, the patients is dependent on the drug(s) for the rest of their lives. This generates a steady flow of you know what - the bottom line. If you cured every disease that came along, the sales of drugs would crash and so would the profits."
My comment: "profits are more important than cures?"
Rob: "it's all about money."
Sometime in February was a short televised evening report on one of the national television networks, either CNN or ABC, about a lady in either New Mexico or Arizona who is 102 years old and still practicing medicine. Her medical practice started in 1928. She was visited by parents with children who drove up to 40 or even 50 miles to see her. At her age, she could walk, talk and function normally like a person 30 or 40 years younger. While I was entranced watching this special, they never spelled out her name, so I don't know who she is or how to contact her.
One part of the interview especially caught my attention. A mother brought a child with an ear infection that several doctors could not get rid of even after several prescriptions of antibiotics. The 102 yr. old physician then prescribed more antibiotics for the child with one important aspect to the protocol - timing. She prescribed smaller doses to be given to the child exactly 3 hours apart 24 hours a day for 3 days. This means that the parents had to wake up the child twice during the night to give the antibiotics. She even said: "if you are even 15 minutes late, forget it, it won't work." She said that when antibiotics were first introduced early in this century, this is how they were used, but everyone today has forgotten about it. The news reporter followed up on this report and found that in 3 days, the infection was gone, the child was cured.
As my mind pauses the concepts of her approach, this thought comes forth: I wonder if this timing method of therapy could completely eradicate a virus like HIV in 72 hours? How about other viruses like HHV-6, CMV, EBV, etc. etc.? Are these the viruses for whom the bell tolls?
CFIDS with HHV-6 infection: One reader called and said she had tried taking apple cider vinegar and cayenne capsules before each meal three times a day and that it had helped her significantly. She said she was up to 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 3 cayenne capsules before each meal but had to cut back to one tablespoon of vinegar and one cayenne capsule as the higher dose was too strong. With regards to pH and HHV-6, Donald Carrigan told me in March that when the pH is below 6.0, it is very difficult for any lipid envelope to replicate and that would include HHV-6A or B strains.
Several persons with HIV are now trying apple cider vinegar either alone or in combination with other alternative antivirals or in combination with pharmaceutical drug cocktails. Some persons are trying 1 tablespoon of vinegar 3 times a day 8 hours apart or 2 tablespoons 12 hours apart. One persons is trying 2 tablespoons three times a day. You can contact the following persons to monitor their progress:
Other persons trying the vinegar treatment include Gary B, Dennis B, Craig F and Bob M. Gary B, who has never used drug cocktails for HIV, is using 1 tablespoon of vinegar 3X along with bee propolis and IP6. Prior to adding vinegar to his protocol, three capsules of IP6 and 1/2 tsp. of bee propolis twice a day had dropped his viral load from 118000 to 41000 in 6 weeks. In my opinion, had he used the IP6 and bee propolis 3 times a day and 8 hrs apart, the decline in viral load would have been even greater.
Scientific researchers have found that IP6 is a transcription inhibitor of the HIV LTR. Three substances (chrysin, Caffeic and Ferulic acid) have been identified in propolis that inhibit or kill HIV.
Marie NaVeaux was interviewed in the most recent issue of POZ magazine that had a special edition on "Alternatives 2000."
Last month, I mentioned an alternative to Immunocal that is half the cost and, in my opinion, at least as effective as Immunocal. It is called ImmunoPro. For more information, call 619-469-8196 or immunopro@aol.com.
Note: Some health food stores sell vinegar tablets. 100 mg of dried vinegar is euqal to one tsp. of liquid vinegar. Depending on how much vinegar is in each tablet, you can determine how many tablets equals one tablespoon of liquid vinegar (300 mg dried vinegar = 1 Tbsp). The tablets will eliminate the strong taste of the liquid vinegar.
The next issue of Positive Health News will be in the printers by April 15th. As 96% of the newsletters are distributed free, any donations would be appreciated.
Prescriptions for Naltrexone: Offered in a letter to us by Dr. Mark Sherfey MD of Monterey, TN. 931-839-7672 Phone consultations. Specializes in candida, chronic fatigue, thyroid & IBS.
© 2000 Keep Hope Alive Ltd
Return to home pageMark Konlee
TH-1 Probiotics, introduced by Jarrow Formulas on Feb. 1st, 2000, and reported in last month's message has brought the following comments.
Billy D (SC) who has food allergies reports "less sensitivity to the foods that had been giving him problems." He used more than the recommended dose and uses one rounded teaspoon 3 times a day.
Paul M (WI) who had candidiasis stopped all other supplements and has only used the TH-1 Probiotics to evaluate its effects. He says "it has given me more energy even though he reports his stools are still sinking. He has also modified his diet according to the latest research in this newsletter in the past 3 months.
Bill M (FL) reports "a stronger reaction to DNCB" topical solution painted on the skin indicating that antigen presentation and cell-mediated immunity is improving.
I have spoken to several people in the past month who have added a baked onion to their daily diet plus a serving of cooked asparagus. Some have also added marinated artichokes. Everyone is reporting benefits including healthier more normal-looking stools. More "yellow" color in the urine indicating increased B vitamin production by bifido bacteria in the large intestines. One person cooks up a mixture of sliced carrots, cabbage and onions with a little water. Others are eating home-made French-Onion soup. All of these are really great choices.
In March, 1999, an article published in the Journal of Nutrition (1) by Bovee-Oudenhoven and three other researchers found that in experiments in rats that giving calcium phosphate as a dietary supplement that it increased acidophilus growth in both infected (with salmonella) and non-infected rats.
The researchers found that certain substances present in bile kill acidophilus in the small intestines and cited the work of several other researchers to support their observations. In the course of digestion, the liver sends bile into the small intestines to digest fat. However, the liver also dumps toxins in the bile at the same time. These toxins in the bile have been found to kill off the friendly acidophilus that predominately like to reside in the small intestines. The researchers stated:
"Besides reducing the cytotoxicity of the ileal (small intestine) and the concentration of the bile acids and fatty acids of ileal contents and fecal water, calcium phosphate notably changed the composition of the ileal bile acids in a less cell-damaging direction....significantly greater numbers of ileal and fecal lactobacilli were detected in noninfected, calcium phosphate supplements rats."
The researchers found that calcium phosphate not only precipitated the toxic substances out of the bile but actually reduces the amount of bile as well. These actions suggest to me that calcium phosphate's action might have been on the liver as a detoxifying agent. If the liver has less toxins, then it should produce bile with fewer toxins. While the rats in this experiment were on a high fat fiet, a low fat diet should have produced even better results.
Applying this research to human experiments has not been done. Experiments in animals often are a predictable model of what will happen in humans. It would seem that if persons with chronic candidiasis would supplement their diet with calcium phosphate as well as eat a low fat diet, that together, it would decrease bile and increase the activity of the acidophilus in the small intestines and suppress the prevalence of candida albicans.
A search for calcium phosphate yielded one source locally - Hylands Homeopathic cell salts called Calc Phos 6X which is calcium phosphate which sells for $10 a bottle for 1000 small tablets. This form is found in most health food stores. The daily dose should be significantly higher than what is suggested on the bottle which is 4 tablets per hour. I would suggest about 25 tablets twice a day. A bottle would last about 3 weeks.
Another source of natural calcium phosphate is bovine milk, goat's milk and mother's milk. However, most persons with candida are allergic to milk or intolerant to lactose or casein. However, many persons intolerant to milk are able to tolerate low fat plain yogurt.
Two undenatured (cold processed) sources of whey are Immunocal and a new competitor called Immunopro. These would also be good sources of calcium phosphate. Unanswered is this question: What effect will other forms of calcium like calcium lactate, calcium citrate and calcium gluconate have on neutralizing the toxins in bile? There is no research available on this subject.
Various forms of calcium supplements are available. These include calcium phosphate (apatite - found in bonemeal), calcium sulfate, calcium citrate, calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, calcium malate and others. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach dissolves or ionizes the calcium into an absorbable form. With help from vitamin D, the ionized calcium can be assimilated through the intestinal membranes and into the blood.
Another intriguing source of calcium phosphate is IP6. Ip6 is available in health food stores and is bound to a substantial amount of calcium and magnesium. At a therapeutic dose of 6 to 8 grams daily, it is being widely used as a low cost treatment for cancer. Phytic acid is a natural substance found in rice bran, corn and in the bran portion of other whole grains. IP6 is called inositol hexaphosphate and is known as phytic acid. In whole grains, phytic acid binds to minerals in the gut including calcium, iron, magnesium and other minerals. IP6 manufactured from rice bran contains 6 phosphate molecules attached to the B vitamin inositol along with calcium and magnesium. The release of calcium phosphate and magnesium phosphate occurs when the compound (IP6) is broken down in the gut by the enzyme phytase or, after absorption, inside the cells. When the phosphate molecules bound to the minerals are split off, IP6 is reduced to IP5, IP4, IP3, IP2 and finally IP1. IP1 is the most common form that is excreted in the urine (2).
The science of Homeopathy, developed by Virchow, Moleschott and Schuessler, discovered decades ago 12 essential cell salts that feed metabolic processes at the level of the individual cell. Five of these cell salts are in the phosphate form and 3 are in the sulfate form. Besides Calc Phos, Mag Phos and Ferr Phos, there is sodium phosphate (Nat Phos) and potassium phosphate (Kali Phos). The action of IP6 binding to the minerals yields the phosphate form in the small intestines and the natural fermentation process in the large intestines resulting from the bifidus and bifido bacteria splits off the essential cell salts from IP6 and these essential cell salts are then absorbed into the blood in the natural phosphate form.
Coincidentally, 6 grams (6000 mg) of IP6 contains the minimum daily requirements for both calcium and magnesium! Will IP6 increase the growth of acidophilus in the small intestines?
I have reviewed most of the published scientific research on IP6 and have discovered that a failure to absorb minerals that bind to phytic acid (IP6) is caused only when IP6 or phytic acid is used in combination with refined carbohydrates. This is because refined carbohydrates, white flour, white rice and white sugar do not support bidifobacteria fermentation and phytase activity in the large intestines.
As a result, every study that combined sodium phytate with refined carbohydrates has shown a deficiency with mineral absorption. However, all the scientific studies that used whole grains high in phytic acid have not shown a mineral deficiency or failure of mineral absorption. The problem is with the man made diets that use refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates do not support the fermentation activity of the bifido bacteria in the colon that splits off the phosphate form of the minerals from the phytic acid and allows them to be absorbed into the body.
An example of a diet that causes a calcium deficiency is a typical fast food combination of a cheeseburger and a soda with phosphoric acid (Coke, Pepsi etc). Red meat is high in phosphorous and many brand of soda contain phosphoric acid. What calcium is in the cheese binds to the phosphorous in the soda or in the red meat, the calcium is excreted in the stools in the absence of bifido bacteria in the colon. When a white bread bun is eaten as part of the cheeseburger, there is no fiber in the white flour to support bifido bacteria and enzyme activity in the colon to help absorb the calcium phosphate. Like the animal experiments with sodium phytate that used refined carbohydrates, the same thing happens in humans with a diet of refined carbohydrates high in phosphorous (red meat, soda). The mineral phosphates are not split off and absorbed. Thus refined carbohydrates contribute to a lack of bifidus activity in the colon and a deficiency of minerals absorbed.
For several years, many writers of nutritional and alternative therapies thought that phytic acid in whole grains was a mistake of nature and caused mineral deficiencies. If that were truly the case then God erred in his design of creation. All the birds and animals that feed on wild grains would be deficient in minerals. This is not the case. The same writers said all grains should be sprouted to remove the phytic acid before making bread. So today we have whole grain breads made from sprouted grains.
Research indicates that sprounting grains reduces up to 39% of the phytic acid. Soaking the grains for 7 hours reduces up to 71% of the phytic acid. while fermentation with friendly flora will reduce it by up to 98%. It is obvious that the key to absorption of minerals bound to phytic acid in whole grains is bifido bacteria activity (fermentation) in the colon. It is not necessary to buy bread made from sprouted grains. The same whole grains that have phytic acid also have indigestible carbohydrates that support the growth of the bifido bacteria that complete the fermentation process necessary for the minerals to be absorbed. It is doubtful that breads made from sprouted grains are more beneficial to your health than breads made from non-sprouted grains.
You have two options. 1. If you are going to eat refined carbohydrates, then take the IP6 between meals and on an empty stomach. Otherwise, IP6 will bind to the minerals in your food and neither the IP6 nor the minerals will be absorbed or 2. Take the IP6 with a meal high in fiber and foods with FOS that support the activity of the bifidus bacteria in the colon. If you take it this way, mineral absorption will be normal and it will give your cells the form of minerals they want - the phosphate form. However, if you are not sure that you have sufficient bifido bacteria in the colon, then take it on an empty stomach only. The manufactured form of IP6 is high in calcium phosphate and magnesium phosphate and once inside the cells, enzymatic action will reduce the IP6 to a lower form such as IP3 and split off the calcium and magnesium cell salts for use within the cells. Best time to take IP6 is 30 to 60 minutes before you eat or 3 hours after your last meal. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS WITH IP6.
Two types of white bloods cells, macrophages and neutrophils, are very important for controlling candida albicans and other fungal infections. In the United Kingdom at the Univ of Oxford, P Eggleton found that IP6 enhanced the "phagocytosis by neutropohils in the presence of microbial stimuli."
Phagocytosis is the process of a white blood cell surrounding a virus, fungus or bacteria and then destroying it. It is part of an effective immune response against foreign antigens. IP6, by being part of the process of producing calcium phosphate that helps increase acidophilus growth, may also act against candida in another way - by improving the immune response of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that is needed to attack candida albicans.
Other benefits of IP6 reported in medical journals are - activates natural killer cell function that attacks many types of cancer (Colon, Fibrosarcoma, Liver, Lung, Breast and skin), dissolves kidney stones, dissolves calcium deposits in the arteries (hardening of), antioxidant (prevents lipid peroxidation), prevents strokes, heart attacks, lowers triglycerides and cholesterol and is involved in normalizing many metabolic processes inside the cells.
A formula for a therapeutic daily dose for cancer, candidiasis and other chronic conditions is 1000 mg per 25 pounds of body weight or 6 grams daily for a person weighing 150 lbs. There are no known adverse effects - unless you use it with refined carbohydrates or mineral supplements, in which case, it will interfere with mineral absorption and won't benefit you at all. While not as well absorbed as in its isolated purified form, IP6 (phytic acid) is found abundantly in the germ portion of corn, rice bran and sesame seeds and in lessor amounts in all whole grains and legumes.
Group 1 (very high in calcium) are: collard greens, dandelion greens, parsley, beet greens, kale, spinach, mustard greens, turnip greens, watercress, endive and lambsquarters. (Also milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream). While not necessarily high in calcium, foods high in FOS support both acidophilus and bifido bacteria growth (onions, garlic, artichokes and asparagus).
Group 2 (high in calcium) are: canned salmon, sardines, perch and most kinds of fish, kelp and seaweed, spirulina, blackstrap molasses.
Group 3. (moderately high in calcium) are :Tofu, carrots, squash, pumpkin, buckwheat, cabbage. Wheatgrass, kamut, barley and rye grass powder are good supplements - contain calcium and most of the minerals found in nature.
All three groups are excellent choices. Choose one or more servings from each group daily. For phytic acid (IP6) from natural sources, use whole grains only, brown rice, whole kernel corn, rye crisp. Do not buy a bread with less than 4 grams of fiber per slice.
Foods to avoid that will create a calcium deficiency and will not support acidophilus growth: all refined carbohydrates (white flour, refined grains, white rice etc), sugar, corn syrup and canned soda. No refined carbohydrates will support the growth or either acidophilus or bifidus.
IP6 (inositol hexaphosphate) - take on empty stomach only with chlorine - fluoride free water OR Calcium Phosphate (homeopathic cell salts, yogurt, undenatured whey proteins and bonemeal). Acidophilus (DDS-1 - found in Vital Biotics or other viable strains found in Jarrowdophilus) Take with meals. Biotin - a B vitamin - suppresses candidiasis. Other good choices are Jarrowdophilus or DDS-Plus.
For snacks - try a clove of garlic sliced on rye crisp with marinated artichokes 2 or 3 times a day.
An alternative to using yogurt is to sprinkle acidophilus and B Longum powder over the foods before you eat it or dissolve 1/2 tsp. of the probiotics in a glass of water and drink it with each meal. Mixing the active cultures with each meal will give you the most desirable effect of rapid implantation of the probiotics in the intestines.
An extract from a tree in the rain forest of South America has been used by local natives for decades to treat diarrhea or watery stools from multiple causes, including Cholera, according to Dr. Thomas Carlson MD, MS. The sap, blood-red in color, is derived from the tree, Croton lechleri, and has been used in Iquitos, Peru, for different types of diarrhea.
One of our readers who has HIV reported that the SB Normal Stool Formula that is made from the sap has stopped his diarrhea that has been a chronic condition for the past year. Clinical trials have also shown the extract from the tree found in SB Normal Stool Formula, to be highly effective in stopping diarrhea. More information can be found at the website www.shamanbotanicals.com or by calling 800-987-9920.
In a recent issue of POZ magazine, Lark Lands reported that several HIVPlus persons who have chronic diarrhea from using the protease inhibitor, Viracept, have successfully stopped the diarrhea by taking 1000 mg of a calcium supplement daily even while continuing to use the drug.
A reader with CFIDS has told me within the past few days that the transfer factor product developed by Animune and seized by the FDA in June, 1999, has been approved by the FDA for clinical studies by Dr. Brewer. More Information can be found at this web site: www.immunitytoday.com. The reader said he obtained good results taking 3 capsules daily of this transfer factor. He said it is pricey - costing about $89.00 for 30 capsules.
Knox and Carrigan open website on HHV-6
It is www.hhv6.com/welcome/html
Resveratrol - a report on this antioxidant found in the skins of red grapes that has been found effective against the herpes viruses and many forms of cancer, especially prostate, has been delayed until next month due to a lack of space (and time) in preparing this newsletter.
Ref:
© 2000 Keep Hope Alive, Ltd, a non-profit organization
Return to home pageMark Konlee
An idea that resulted from the Spring, 1999, issue of Positive Health News (No 18) "A Consumer's Guide to Immune Restoration" has finally bore fruit. A special combination of intestinal flora that we asked Jarrow Formulas(1) to produce in May, 1999, that stimulates Th1 cytokines, Interluken 12 and gamma interferon is now available. Each teaspoon of the new formula called, "Th-1 Probiotics," will contain 20 billion heat-killed L Plantarum and L Casei plus 2 billion live B Longum. The purpose of the heat killed strains is to provide metabolites that promote certain T cell cytokines without the risk of these live strains passing through a "leaky gut" and creating problems elsewhere in the body.
Several published scientific studies have established that heat killed Casei and Plantarum are potent stimulators of IL-12, gamma interferon, macrophage activity and Natural Killer cell function. IL-12 is expected to strongly promote a cell mediated immune response against intra-cellular infections though CD8 cytotoxic lymphocytes while the B Longum in the formula will increase IgA to improve mucosal immunity. B Longum will also increase levels of short chain fatty acids, like butyrate, that stimulate mucin and help heal the mucus membranes.
If the product works as expected, based on the science behind it, it should stimulate a strong immune response to reduce viral titers for a wide range of stubborn chronic infections ranging from HIV to herpes to CMV, HHV-6, EBV, hepatitis, spirochetes and other infections that are inside the cells (intra-cellular), a location where antibody responses are not effective. While hopes ride high for this new product, no one will know for certain what effect in decreasing HIV viral loads and other infections the product will have until lab results and a substantial number of anecdotal reports come in. While the suggested dose is one teaspoon twice daily, it is too early to know if the dose is too low to stimulate an effective immune response or will it have to be increased? It is going to take some experimentation to find the effective dosage level and whether the product should be used on a daily basis or in a pulsed protocol like one week on and one week off.
I would be very interested in hearing from persons who are using DNCB topical weekly applications and report after a week or two of using TH-1 Probiotics how the reactions are affected. A stronger response to DNCB would indicate that cell mediated responses and antigen presentation are being stimulated. In short term animal experiments with heat-killed plantarum or casei, immune responses were noticeable in the 3rd day after ingestion.
We will observe how different dosage levels affect us individually and find out together what kind of immunological benefits are obtained from its use. The product costs about $30 for a month's supply. Contact a Jarrow distributor for the product.
1. Jarrow Formulas, 1824 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
West Allis: WI. Paul who has CFIDS and candidiasis tried the product Feb. 3rd and is taking 1 rounded tsp. twice daily and reported that in a few hours after first taking the product he feels nauseated, has an increase in mucus he coughs up and a slight burning sensation in his urine. He says these reactions are a die-off of the yeast. His comment: "This is powerful stuff." He promised to keep abreast of developments as he continues to use the product. He also told me that the TH1 Probiotics was the only product he added to his regimen in the past 2 days.
Miami, FL. Bob M who has HIV reported that in 3 days of using the product his appetite increased and he feels more energy.
West Allis: My own personal reaction to the TH1 Probiotics is that I feel slightly more tired for a few hours after taking the product followed by a significant rebound in energy and a stronger appetite at the next meal. These are the effects I have felt for the past 4 days. That the first 3 persons who have tried the product are feeling some effects so early is encouraging. Readers who use TH1 Probiotics are asked to contact me to keep me abreast of the reactions they get and of course any lab results.
My interest in butyrate was awakened last month when a reader with CFIDS reported taking the daily supplement and noticed an immediate improvement her gastrointestinal symptoms. In a healthy colon, butyrate is produced by bifido bacteria that ferment undigested carbohydrates like FOS and inulin. In a toxic colon, stool analysis of butyrate finds that it is consistently low.
As our analysis and logic dictates, restoration of a normal immune system first requires restoration of a healthy intestinal tract and strengthening of the mucus membranes, a prerequisite for restoring mucosal immunity. Restoration of a healthy gastrointestinal tract first requires two events - destroying infections like candidiasis and parasites that damage the mucus membranes and nutrients to rapidly rebuild the mucus membranes. Butyrate is one of the most important fuels for stimulating the growth of new mucus membranes in the intestines. Other substances include L-glutamine, vitamin A, cabbage juice (raw or cultured), buttermilk, kefir, horsetail herb and slippery elm tea. These can also be very helpful but are not a substitute for butyrate.
Butyrate is one of the short chain fatty acids produced by bifido bacterium (B Longum and others) in the large intestines. The growth of bifido bacteria is nourished by indigestible carbohydrates - Fructo Oligo Saccharides (FOS) and inulin, naturally occurring carbohydrates found in high fiber foods but especially in artichokes, chicory, onions, garlic, asparagus and bananas. A bowl of French onion soup or a large baked onion contains about 2 grams of FOS. I reported on the wide ranging benefits of FOS in last month's message.
Eden Foods, manufacturers of "Bifa-15" a microencapsulated source of B Longum, report that as many as 400 different kinds of bacteria may inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. When the colon becomes the primary feeding ground of unfriendly flora like e-coli and candida, a condition called toxic colon develops and the pH of the colon becomes alkaline. Ammonia, amines and other toxins produced by unfriendly flora impair liver function and immune function more significantly than any other single factor we have discovered to date.
There is another factor to consider - substances like butyrate not commonly found in the diet are used as fuel by colonic cells to keep the intestinal membranes healthy and only the friendly flora, especially the bifido bacteria (i.e. B longum) produce butyrate. As a general rule, most of the unfriendly flora like pH that is alkaline while the friendly flora like an acidic colon. The unfriendly flora produce byproducts like ammonia that keep the colon alkaline while the friendly flora produce a variety of short chain fatty acids (lactic, acetic, proprionic, butyric and even formic acid) that keep the colon acidic. Thus a predominance of friendly flora create an environment that suppresses the bad bacteria. The reverse is also true - if most of the flora in your gut are unfriendly, they will kill off the friendly flora. This is indeed a war of microbes and we are in the middle of it. The food choices we make daily determines which side prevails - the good flora that keep us healthy or the bad that promote illness. Having a predominance of friendly flora in the colon is not an option for a healthy intestines, normal digestion and a strong immune system, IT IS A REQUIREMENT!
Scientists have found that butyrates increase the production of mucin, a component of mucus, that provides a protective barrier throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. (1) In experiments on rats, researchers found that three fibers, cellulose, pectin and gum arabic did not increase mucin production. They did find that glucuronic acid, a component of a variety of fibers, did significantly increase mucin production as did sodium alginate, acetate and butyrate. Both acetate and butyrate are byproducts of bifido bacteria fermentation of carbohydrates in the colon.
In animal experiments, scientists have found that butyrate hastens the repair of damage to the mucosal membranes of the colon induced by heat or detergents (2). Scientists have found that butyrate helps prevent colon cancer and induces Glutathione S-transferase to detoxify carcinogens (3). Wheat bran was found to significantly increase butyrate levels (4).
In January, Cheryl Carter, a reader with CFIDS, told me she took 1 butyrate capsule with meals 3 times a day and noticed an immediate improvement in her gastrointestinal symptoms. Over the counter butyrate is available through Ecological Formulas or Allergy Research. It comes in the form of calcium butyrate and magnesium butyrate. It is relatively inexpensive. Ecological Formulas recommends 1 to 6 capsules with each meal.
Once you have a healthy colon and normal healthy stools (floaters) you will not need to take butyrate as a daily supplement. However, when your colon is toxic (sinkers, stinkers and small diameter stools) butyrate supplementation would be well advised. I would suggest 3 or more capsules with each meal along with supplements like caprylic acid to kill candida and back walnut to kill parasites for a month or longer or until you have normal healthy stools plus bright yellow urine (indicating B vitamin production from the bifido bacteria).
Research indicates that glucomannan, a fiber from the Konjac root strongly supports the growth of bifidobacterium as does FOS. Degradation of glucomannan by enzymes and friendly flora in human feces has produced formic acid, acetic acid, proprionic acid and 1-butyric acid. (1) Other researchers have found that glucomannan increases the good HDL cholesterol and lowers triglycerides (2)
In January, I tried an experiment on myself by taking 2 glucomannan capsules plus 2 FOS plus 2 Jarrowdophilus capsules. I found that within 2 to 3 hours, the urine was a deeper yellow color than taking FOS alone with the Jarrowdophilus. Deeper yellow urine is thought to be an indication of an increase in B vitamins produced in the colon by bifidobacterium and acidophilus. However, I found that by increasing the amount of FOS taken daily to about 6 grams (1/2 tsp 3X) I could get the color of the urine to be a bright yellow, without using the glucomannan. The color that healthy urine should be is bright yellow, not clear. Clear urine indicates an absence of friendly flora in the large intestines producing B vitamins. This self-test won't work unless you stop taking B vitamin supplements for 24 hours to see if the urine is still yellow or goes back to being clear (an absence of B vitamins)
Last month, I advised against using FOS with meals and recommended only using it with a fiber drink and probiotics taken all together. I am amending my instructions this month based on ongoing research. I have had reports of some persons who have been chronically ill for years who report they cannot tolerate FOS. I have discovered from published research that about 1 person in 25 absorbs some of the FOS into the blood and it is excreted in the kidneys. What this means is that these FOS absorbers have very severe leaky gut syndrome. The normal and even subnormal gut mucosa will not absorb FOS as the molecule is too large. The FOS then becomes food for the bifido bacteria and acidophilus in the colon. In about 4% of the population with severely damaged gut mucosa, absorption of the FOS occurs and this causes the problem of "intolerance."
The solution is for these persons to use high doses of butyrate first (in capsule form) 3 to 6 with each meal 3 or more times daily for about 2 weeks before introducing the FOS. The FOS can be introduced with either a fiber drink or a high fiber meal along with the probiotics like Vital Biotics or Jarrowdophilus. Start off with a small dose and gradually increase until you are using 4 to 6 grams daily.
During the first two weeks you are using the butyrate, try eating 1 cup of cooked onions daily or 1 large baked onion or 2 bowls of French onion soup. You can make your own with beef stock plus chopped onions. You can also use Miso in place of beef stock and make a miso-onion soup. You can top it with mozzarella cheese made from soy or rice milk. A cup of raw or cooked onions yields about 2 grams of natural FOS. The onions are high in sulfur compounds that will inhibit many kinds of pathogenic and unfriendly flora in the large intestines including fungus, yeast and many kinds of viruses.
Don't forget to also include other sources of FOS like asparagus and artichokes. One tablespoon of artichoke flour contains about 1 gram (1000 mg) of FOS.
Note: if you use Bifa-15, you still need to take it by itself on an empty stomach. Several readers have highly praised this probiotic. It remains to seen how the B longum in the "TH-1 Probiotics" formula compares in effectiveness to the B longum in the Bifa-15 formula.
Last month, I talked with 4 people who reported they have been severely constipated for the past 2 or 3 years. As I asked each person to go over the list of supplements they take daily, all 4 persons indicated that they were using from 5000 to 10,000 mg of Vitamin C daily and have been doing this for several years. Acting on a hunch, I asked the last two callers to reduce their Vitamin C intake to 500 mg or less daily. Within a few days, they both called back and said they were no longer constipated. I am waiting to hear from the other two persons who may or may not yet have reduced their Vitamin C intake.
Initially, high doses of Vitamin C will cause diarrhea in most persons. I have no idea why taking high doses of Vitamin C for several years would cause constipation, but it appears there may be a link.
Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6): Two persons have called me within the past month to report complete remissions of cancer using IP6. One lady had ovarian cancer and the other had lung cancer. They used a therapeutic dose of about 7000 mg daily. A lady with ovarian cancer had surgery that did not remove all the cancer. She was scheduled for a second surgery to finish removing the cancer but meanwhile took 7 grams of IP6 daily for 4 weeks before returning for the second surgery. After a detailed examination, the second surgery was canceled as no trace of the remaining cancer could be found. A man with lung cancer had taken chemotherapy that had eliminated most of the cancer. Likewise, he took around 7 grams of IP6 daily and when he was examined several weeks later, no trace of the lung cancer remained.
IP6 is naturally found in rice bran and whole kernel corn. It is sold as an over-the-counter supplement is both capsules and powder form (Jarrow Formulas).
In another case, Gerry K who is on a drug combination of Viracept, Zerit and Epivir for HIV and also does enemas with garlic and vinegar added recently included 1 teaspoon of Venus Fly-Trap extract in the one quart enema that he does daily. He reports a significant feeling of warmth and well being about 1 hour after doing the enema with the VFT extract added.
Two readers have reported significant improvements in how they feel taking an olive leaf extract called "Olivex" made by Nutriscreen, Inc. The product was developed by Dr. James Privitera MD of Covina, CA. The product that has a green label lists an oleuropean content of 20%, that is 4 times higher than most olive leaf extracts on the market.
Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in the skins of red grapes and in Zhang root extract is reported by Dr. William Douglass MD to be a powerful anti-cancer agent that inhibits a dangerous enzyme called cycoloxygenase that suppresses immune surveillance. More on Resveratrol next month.
I have personally found that Buckwheat pancakes promotes normal floating stools faster than any other gluten-free grain. The problem with pancakes is to avoid the temptation to add syrup and other sources of sugar to it.
A good alternative is Buckwheat muffins with pumpkin added. Hodgkins sells organic buckwheat flour and has a recipe on the box for making Buckwheat/cornmeal muffins. To this recipe add one cup of canned pumpkin. Try eating one of these muffins with each meal and take your probiotics with it and you should see an immediate improvement in the quality of your stools.
Meal suggestion: Buckwheat/pumpkin muffins with a glass of Kefir, a bowl of French onion soup (or a baked onion) and a serving of cooked asparagus. Both onions and asparagus are very high in FOS and there are anecdotal reports that 1/2 cup of cooked asparagus daily has caused some cancers to go in remission.
Return to home pageMark Konlee
Welcome to the new millennium. Let us pray that this is the dawn of a new age of enlightenment that will bring forth answers to resolve outstanding issues of the last century. The world needs alternative sources of energy to reduce air pollution and global warming caused by fossil fuels that produce too much carbon dioxide. Debt relief is needed and lower interest rates for all along with a dissolution of economic monopolies.
In a world that values money over virtue, there is little hope that these changes will happen without the aid of Divine intervention. Science marches forward but the inner man, the human heart must change if technology is to bring forth answers to heal a planet under growing stresses. Like the human body, the earth itself needs to be brought back to a point of balance and homeostasis.
We must increase organic farming to reduce the use of toxic chemicals that continue to poison the land and its people. The public, by its own purchasing choices, can move technology and the production of goods in a positive direction - by purchasing organically grown fruits and vegetables, using barter instead of interest-bearing debt to exchange goods and services, automobiles that run on electricity (the fuel cell), solar, hydroelectric, wind power and new technologies that remain to be developed like fusion. Many oil wells will dry up early in this century driving up fuel prices making alternative sources of energy a more viable economic option. Increased use of non-polluting sources of energy will help reduce global warming.
Great storms, earthquakes and asteroids will threaten us but the hand of God will intervene when mankind in on bended knee. In spite of the gathering storms, hope will be kept alive. The Messiah will return, although in spirit, already here.
Like the earth, the human body and spirit is under stresses and needs a return to balance and homeostasis. Dis-ease disturbs the focus of the human spirit by drawing too much attention to self, to personal distress and disrupts the flow of compassion for others that comes from the heart. In the current issue of Positive Health News (Report 19), I have shifted the focus from fighting dis-ease to rebuilding health.
In taking measured steps to build health from the foundation up, the individual no longer feels powerless. The thought itself, of being a builder of one's own health, is liberating. It reduces our dependence on the security blankets of insurance companies and large corporations (both the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industry). Convinced as I am that the foundation of building health depends on a good appetite, digestion, a healthy colon, gastrointestinal tract and mucosal immunity, I plan to continue focusing on these critical areas in the coming months - areas essential for rebuilding health and restoring maximum natural immunity against all dis-ease.
When the colon is toxic, it is because harmful bacteria that produce scores of toxins have multiplied in great numbers. These toxins are absorbed from the large intestines and go the liver to be broken down. The toxic overload on the liver leads to a depletion of Glutathione levels that then impairs cell-mediated immune function. The toxins also impair the ability of the liver to produce enzymes needed for metabolic functions throughout the body. The immediate result is fatigue and eventually chronic fatigue. The depleted Glutathione levels reduce the ability of the liver to remove heavy metals and more stress is placed on other organs like the adrenal glands and kidneys. In a sequence of events, toxins (poisons) in the large intestines began to adversely affect the entire person.
Some of the harmful bacteria(1) in a toxic colon have been identified as the fungal (hyphaeated) form of Candida Albicans, clostridium, e-coli, staph and strep strains. Other infections of the gastrointestinal tract that have been identified include HIV, HHV-6, herpes simplex, hepatitis B, C and D, CMV, EBV, chlamydiae, shigella, salmonella, campylobacter, mycobacteria, parasites, giardia, cryptosporidium, isopora, amoeba and strongyloides (2).
Just one or more of certain strains of unfriendly flora can produce a variety of toxins including amines, ammonia, skatol, hydrogen sulfide, histamine, indole, phenol and cadaverin (3). The liver has the job of breaking down these toxins and if the liver function is impaired, the toxins circulate and can cause neurological problems. Candidiasis increases Interluken 6 levels, a cytokine that is overproduced in HIV infection, CFIDS and cancer and contributes to the cytokine shift from TH1 to the less effective TH2 immune response.
A toxic colon by contributing to the depletion of Glutathione levels increases the activity of free radicals and oxidative stress that further damages cells and body organs. Unfriendly flora also move the pH of the colon in an alkaline direction creating an environment more favorable to their own survival. No complete or sustained recovery from chronic immune dysfunction is possible without restoring a healthy colon. This is the point of beginning, the foundation for rebuilding health.
Ref: 1. The Garden Within, by Keith Sehnert MD. (Health World Magazine, Burlingame, CA)
2. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, by King Homes MD.
3. Gall, LS, Normal Fecal Flora of Man, Am J of Clin Nutr. 23:1457-1465 1970.
Some of the specific byproducts of friendly flora fermentation (bifidobacterium) in the large intestines are butyric acid that help rebuild the mucus membranes of the G.I. tract and heal a "leaky gut." B. Longum and other bifidobacterium also produce lactic acid, acetic acid and proprionic acid. Researchers have found that acetic acid and proprionic acid are more effective than lactic acid in killing off bad microbes in the large intestines. Both acidophilus and bifidus fermentation of undigestible carbohydrates in the colon produce short chain fatty acids. These fatty acids cause the stools to float in water. Large diameter floating stools that are golden brown are healthy stools and indicative of a healthy colon whereas the sinkers and small diameters stools are loaded with toxins and harmful bacteria and come from a toxic colon. Little or no odor is emitted from healthy stools and strong or sour odors are emitted from toxic stools. David Webster writes that "a floating stool is often an indicator of the existence of a predominately acidophilus flora."(1)
However, Webster states that a diet high in psyllium may produce a floating stool in some persons that is not at the normal acidic colonic pH. (5.6 to 6.8). Also, persons on a high fat diet might have unhealthy floaters if they do not digest the fats properly. Once you think you have healthy floaters, stop taking all B vitamin supplements for 24 hours and watch the color of the urine. It should be a light yellow color, an indication that B vitamins in the colon are being produced by healthy flora.
Published research has found that a diet high in fiber (30 to 35 grams daily) progressively lowers the pH of the colon (2). In vitro research has found that when the pH is a culture medium is below 6.0 that free cell HIV permanently loses its ability to infect cells.
Dr. Sehnert MD reports that acidophilus produces B-complex vitamins including folic acid, niacin, B6, B12, riboflavin, biotin and pantothenic acid (3). He also reports that acidophilus produces lactase enzyme that digest lactose in milk and inhibits the growth of Candida Albicans. FructoOligoSaccharides (FOS) and inulin, undigestible carbohydrates are found in artichokes, chicory, whole rye, bananas, onions, garlic and asparagus. FOS and inulin are potent fertilizers to promote the growth of both bifidus and acidophilus in the large intestines.
[FOS passes through the system with minimal problems and a low incidence of intolerant or allergic reactions. It is of interest that the digestive system does not break down FOS. Rather, it reaches the lower intestines intact, where it is devoured by the "friendly bacteria" without significantly assisting the "unfriendly bacteria." These properties make FOS extremely beneficial in treating a variety of digestive problems."](4)
Other benefits of good flora like B longum and bifidus are increased absorption of calcium, magnesium and iron as well as other nutrients. However, it is the butyric acid produced by the bifidobacterium that rebuilds the mucus membranes and heals leaky gut syndrome, a condition directly linked to allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, systemic candidiasis, depression, various skin problems, loss of mental clarity, eye floaters and an increase in activated CD4 cells in the intestines. In persons HIVPlus persons, a leaky gut increases HIV replication and decreases the CD4 counts when HIV infects the activated CD4 helper cells in the intestinal epithelium. Leaky gut syndrome impairs mucosal immunity. This is why bifidus and B Longum, supported by FOS, are so important for a rebuilding and maintaining a healthy colon and G.I. tract.
In HIV/AIDS, where 86% of the HIV replicates in the intestines, we hope to find the right combination of fiber, probiotics and nutrients to stimulate their growth to restore mucosal immunity and to lower the pH of the colon to a point where HIV replication in the intestines stops and the T cells recover. There is a real possibility that a natural method to stop HIV progression (without drugs) will be discovered this year.
To grow a healthy garden, it takes good soil, good seed and fertilizer among other things. Our internal garden in the colon, to be healthy, depends on fiber (the soil), undigestible carbohydrates (FOS or inulin - the fertilizer) and probiotics (the seed) - good intestinal flora, acidophilus, bifidus and B longum among others.
The Japanese have been ahead of the Americans in many areas of health for decades. They have used FOS in their foods since 1983 along with bifidobacterium and omega 3 fatty acids from seaweed. About 10 days ago, a phone call from one of our readers, Frank Martorana, (818-509-8113) drew my attention and interest in FOS. He reported that 4 or 5 grams daily of the powder restores normal healthy floating stools in 4 or 5 days. He told me that inulin in chicory is converted by the body into FOS that is used as food by the bifidobacterium.
A search of the medical literature (Medline, NLM) finds no toxic or mutagenic effects even from very large doses of FOS in both animals and humans. Here is a summary of a wide range of benefits being reported in the literature on FOS.
In persons who are very toxic and use high does of FOS, the most common side effect is flatulence. The other is nausea. These effects are temporary and can be reduced by using smaller amounts of FOS to start with and gradually increasing the dose as you detoxify. The flatulence (lower bowel gas) is a good sign and indicates that the friendly flora are at work multiplying and driving out the bad bacteria. Nausea is caused by toxins released into the liver from bad bacteria that are being destroyed. This process can last from a few days to 2 or 3 weeks and then these side effects will go away and with it a new lease on life begins with greater and longer sustained levels of energy and well being.
How to use FOS (Nutraflora) Use FOS with a fiber drink and probiotics as the first drink when you get up in the morning. This is because the stomach is empty and the mix will go directly into the large intestines. You can eat breakfast after consuming the drink. Flatulence is a side effect that is common when you first use FOS and indicates bifido bacteria activity in the colon. Persons who are toxic will feel some nausea the first time they use FOS, but this will go away in a few days as the transition from unfriendly to friendly flora takes place in the lower bowel. Probiotics with B Longum and/or other bifido bacteria should always be taken with FOS and preferably with a high fiber meal or fiber drink.
Suggestion: Start off with one capsule or 1000 mg FOS daily or the first week. Mix with a colon fiber mix like "Colon Care Formula" by Yerba Prima or Perfect Plus (soluble rice bran). Add water and shake in a jar. At the same time you drink this, swallow your probiotics (Vital Biotics or Bifa 15 or Jarrowdophilus).
In the second week, increase the amount of FOS to 2000 mg daily; 3rd week - 3000 mg daily and 4th week 4000 or 5000 mg daily. A good buy is Twinlabs 4 oz Nutraflora - costs about $15 for a month's supply. If you are less toxic, you can shorten the time between dose increases. Listen to your body and increase its use accordingly. It is important to take the FOS with the probiotics and the fiber drink all at the same time for the best effects and to do so on an empty stomach.
FOS and a high fiber diet (25 to 30 grams daily) are essential to restore a healthy colon. For a high fiber bread, go to a health food store and look for a bread made from whole grains and having about 4 grams of fiber per slice. Besides FOS, persons have reported the following have restored normal floating stools; 1. whole lemon/olive oil drink. 2. Two tsps of blue green algae daily and 3. Bee propolis (the antibiotic from the beehive).
Harish Z et al wrote "Suppression of HIV-1 replication by propolis and its immunoregulatory effects" (1) Harish states that "propolis, a non-toxic bee-hive product, suppresses HIV-1 replication and modulates in-vitro immune responses."
He found that at 4.5 mcg/ml, propolis inhibited syncytium formation and decreased p24 antigen by 90 to 100% in a concentration dependent manner. Propolis also enhanced mitogenic responses to Con A.
Harish's in-vitro experiments suggest that a possible effective dose of propolis for adults might fall in the range of 1500 to 2000 mg daily. A search of the medical literature finds that propolis contains caffeic acid (also found in green tea, hyssop and coffee) and chrysin, a flavinoid that was the most potent inhibitor of HIV of 27 tested in one study as well as ferulic acid identified in one study as inhibiting HIV. Several published studies have identified caffeic acid as a potent HIV inhibitor. The NIH stated that caffeic acid found in propolis is an integrase inhibitor.
At the Int'l AIDS conference in 1994, Konoro Y from Japan presented an abstract on Acupuncture and natural essence therapy. He stated: "Application of acupuncture with oral administration of naturally extracted essences, especially propolis, an extract from the beehive...many cases of recoveries from various pathological conditions, including PCP."
Last month I reported on Robert M from Brooklyn and his excellent results adding vinegar and cayenne to his daily regimen. In December, he started taking propolis, only one capsule daily and reported his lymph nodes swelling reduced and his stools then began to float for the first time in 3 years. He also told me of a roommate he had for 2 years who took propolis daily along with other supplements and that his CD4 T cells remained in the 600 range even though he was not using any prescription drugs. He did not recall how much propolis he was using.
Suggestion for persons HIV+: Try 1/2 to 1 tsp daily of propolis powder mixed with a fiber formula and water mixed well together and take in the evening once a day. Report your results to me on viral load and CD4 counts so we can find out how effective Propolis is as a treatment for HIV.
1. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1997;23(2):89-96