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.
The RO water is made with a RO unit I rent for $15 a month and is installed under my kitchen sink. It can produce over 10 gallons a day of purified RO water. I placed the RO water in a one gallon glass container and bubbled ozone in the water for 3 minutes. I then took the gallon of ozonated RO water and placed it on the kitchen counter on top of a 4 inch by 6 inch by 1/2 inch thick ceramic magnet with the north pole side of the magnet facing up towards the 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.
Within the past month, a new sublingual product that acts like transfer factor called “Natural Immune Intelligence” (NII) has been brought to my attention. The product is dissolved in the mouth and contains certain proprietary proteins designed to stimulate TH-1 cytokine responses. I have seen some impressive data on this product reducing viral loads of hepatitis and increasing CD4 counts in persons HIV+. My preliminary impression is that NII may rival the effectiveness of Transfer Factor Plus. It is suggested that just one tablet daily will prevent most viral infections and 6 a days are needed if a person has hepatitis, AIDS or heavy viral load from other sources. Since these products (NII and TF+) come from different manufacturers, a combination of the two at a reduced dose may be more effective than using either one alone at a higher dose. I’m making an intuitive judgment call here but I think that two “TF+” plus along with one “Natural Immune Intelligence” taken twice daily might be a powerful immune cocktail worth exploring.
Both TF+ and “Natural Immune Intelligence” cost about the same - about $1.00 a capsule or tablet. Cost is a factor that will unfortunately limit the number of people who will have access to either of these cutting-edge products. Note: Another immune modulator, Naltrexone, has been found by Dr. Bihari, MD, to keep CD4 cells above 300 for several years when used as a monotherapy providing the use of Naltrexone (3 mg each) is started when the CD4’s are still above 300 and the product is used consistently once a day before bedtime.
“Natural Immune Intelligence” is manufactured by IMMAX, 20925 Newman Dr, Brownstown, MI 48183. IMMAX stands for Immune Modulation Maximum Corp. Manufacturer sells to health care professionals.
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 www.keephope.net 262-548-4344
Mark 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 (Vital Health Products) 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:
1. Stress
2. Depression
3. Parkinsons
4. Alzheimers
5. Poor memory and mental function
6. Liver toxicity
7. Low energy
8. Low immunity
9. Cancer
10. Elevated cortisol and low dopamine levels.
© 2000 Keep Hope Alive, PO Box 270041, West Allis, WI 53227 www.keephope.net 262-548-4344
Mark 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.
One of our readers found BHT from Vitamin Research Products, Carson City, Nevada, USA at www.vrp.com or phone them at 775-884-1300. 100 capsules are $7.95 and are 250 mg each like the Twinlabs brand that has been discontinued. Several persons have been taking one capsule of BHT daily with meals for several years to prevent herpes outbreaks and most report that it works. Other persons have reported preventing both herpes and shingles outbreaks with lomatium dissectum (LDM-100) Secret Garden Herb CO.
“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 www.keephope.net 262-548-4344
Mark 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 month’s message has brought them normal appearing stools (floaters) and urine (yellow). Vital Health Products plans to add a lemon juice concentrate to the formula in August to further increase the growth of the friendly flora. The decision to add lemon juice to the formula resulted from an experiment making yogurt that resulted in a rapid forming firm culture when lemon juice was added to the milk along with the Jarrowdophilus 6 strain combination. In fact, without the lemon juice, the milk failed to turn into yogurt.
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.
Late in July, Vital Health switched from the Hawaiian strain of Spirulina to the Earthrise Spirulina when a search of the medical literature failed to turn up any research on anti-viral effects of the Hawaiian Spirulina.
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.
Note: Vital Health premixes formula 84211 for some of its customers who don’t want to mix their own and can be reached at 414-329-0648 for more information.
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.
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
www.keephope.net 262-548-4344
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.
References:
1. Anti-HIV activity of extracts and compounds from algae and cyanobacteria. Schaeffer et al, Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2000 Mar;45(3):208-27
2. Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by an aqueous extract of Spirulina platensi. Ayehunie S et al. J. Acquir Immune Def Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1998 May 1;18(1):7-12
3. Loya S et al. J Nat Prod 1998 Jul;61(7):891-5
4. Gustafson KR et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1997 Sep 8;238(1):223-8
5. Hayashi K et al. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 1996 Oct 10;12(15):1463-71
6. Calcium spirulan, an inhibitor of enveloped virus replication, from a blue-green alga Spirulina platensis. Hayashi et al. J Nat Prod 1996 Jan;59(1):83-7.
7. Inhibition of reverse transcriptase activity by extracts of cultured blue-green algae. Lau AF et al. Planta Med 1993 Apr;59(2):148-51.
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. Improving on this formula, Vital Health Products (414-329-0648) reports that several persons have restored normal stools in 24 to 48 hours using a formulation called 84211. Here is its contents:
1. Two cups of psyllium or other fiber blend (ie. Colon Care Formula - Yerba Prima)
2. One cup of apple or citrus pectin
3. One-half cup of Earthrise Spirulina (Earthrise only produces the platensis strain rated highly effective in laboratory tests) or Klammath Falls blue-green algae. Do not use any other strain of spirulina as most of these are not as effective against lipid enveloped viruses.
4. 1/4th cup of FOS
5. 1/4 cup of Probiotic mix (Jarrowdophilus) or take Vital Biotics 1 or 2 capsules with each dose.
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) (donated by Vital Health) 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.
1. Venner M et al; EquineVet J suppl 1999 Apr;(29):91
2. Avivi-Green C et al J Cell Biochem 2000 Feb; 77(1):18-29
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.
On another front with the upcoming 13th Int’l Aids conference this July, I sent President Mbeki of South Africa several copies of the latest issue of Positive Health News with a note requesting him to conduct a controlled study with the use of vinegar in his country where a large percentage of the population is infected with HIV.
Recently, President Mbeki alarmed western leaders with his criticism of AZT as being too toxic to give to his people and appointed Duesberg and other HIV dissidents who question the existence of this virus to an advisory board. I do not agree with Duesberg and “The Group” and an organization called HEAL. They claim there is no scientific proof that the HIV virus exists because photographs of the virus are contaminated with cellular debris.
I agree with President Mbeki that AZT is toxic. Vinegar may be an equally effective and low cost alternative to AZT. However, I strongly disagree with the flat earthers - “HEAL” and “The Group,” those who question the existence of HIV and offer as an alternative the theory that AIDS is caused by oxidative stress. This theory completely fails to explain how oxidative stress is transmitted through an exchange of bodily fluids. What they have yet to realize is that the oxidative stress in AIDS is caused by the immune response against the viral agent involved and call it what you want but HIV is the virus that leads to the oxidative stress reactions that they have correctly observed. Why they cannot make the connection between HIV and oxidative stress is beyond me. White blood cells just don’t produce hydrogen peroxide and super oxide (oxidative reactions) because they have nothing better to do; they do this to kill viruses and other infectious agents within the body.
The flat earthers should spend some time talking to people who have contracted this illness and ask them how they got it instead of talking to each other. They would soon learn that people don’t get HIV from kissing or shaking hands but from an actual exchange of body fluids which is why this disease, like hepatitis, is usually sexually transmitted.
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.
In the most recent issue of Positive Health News was a full page ad from Ben Ben Burson of www.quantumhealth.com for Transfer Factor Plus by 4-Life products. What was absent in the newsletter was any article or comment from me on this product. Because so many people approach me with new products every week, I have developed a defensive attitude toward all new dietary supplements unless there is substantial anecdotal reports that demonstrate its effectiveness or controlled studies that demonstrate its efficacy and safety. At first I rejected the ad because it did not state clearly that the 248% increase in Natural Killer cell function was based on lab results only (in-vitro). When the ad was changed and this was made clear, I decided to allow it in the current issue.
At the same time, Ben Burson got Dr. Cynthia Olson and Dr Rob Robertson MD of Paducah, KY on the phone with me. Dr. Robertson told me that he had enrolled several of his patients in a controlled study to measure the effectiveness of Transfer Factor Plus (TF Plus) on Natural Killer cell function but the first results would not be known until the last week of April, after my newsletter had gone to press. He told me that in his practice, he has seen so much improvement in such a wide range of health conditions that he was confident that the product was doing something very profound to improve immune function.
An April 27th, I received a fax from Dr. Olson that she received from Dr. Robertson that day on the in-vivo results of the first 9 patients in the study. It showed an increase in NK function ranging from a low of 150% to 415% with an average increase of 269%. These results were stunning because they occurred between April 2 and April 24, 2000, a period of just 22 days. While the average NK function of normal healthy people runs from 35 to 200 or higher, the average NK function of this group of immune-compromised patients was 10 at the beginning of the study and ended at 26.9 at the end of the short term study. The dose used was one capsule twice a day for the first 10 days and 2 capsules twice a day for the last 12 days. The results were comparable to the more expensive and hard to find MGN3. It was reported that the FDA took MGN3 off the market in Dec., 1999, but some sources of the product still remain. In March, Supralife discontinued selling NK911 and this is thought to be due to a financial dispute with the manufacturer. Naltrexone, which improves NK function, does so gradually and requires a prescription, not always easy to obtain.
Early in May, I decided to try TF Plus to see if it would do anything for me. The day following the first 2 capsules I took I broke out with the worst cold I have had in 10 years along with aching muscles and joints (a sign of strong cell-mediated immune activation). At first I didn’t associate the cold with the Transfer Factor Plus. After about 5 days, the worst of the cold was gone and I noticed an improved and sustained energy that lasted all day. I also noticed that those persistent psoriasis patches on my elbow were drying up.
I called a friend who said he had obtained great energy from the product and asked him if anyone he knows who has used this product broke out with a cold. He said “yes and often people will have flu-like symptoms during the first week.”
Last week I talked to a lady with CFIDS who had used regular Transfer Factor (without the Plus) from 4-Life Products. She said she used 2 capsules 3 times a day for the past 3 months and was 80% improved. She said she used the pure Transfer Factor since the TF Plus had maitake and shiitake extract added to it to which she is allergic.
Since talking to her, I have heard reports of persons with cancer, fibromyalgia, candidiasis and even Lou Gehrigs disease reporting significant improvements in how they feel. Cynthia Olson reported there is a small study with HIV using 2 capsules 3 times daily of TF Plus but the results are not known at this time.
Allergies: Jim Mayhew of Iowa has severe allergies from spring pollen and I suggested he try TF Plus to see what effect it would have. He took 2 capsules twice a day and reported that in 4 days, 80% of his allergies were gone. He stated: “this is the most powerful stuff I have ever used.”
I asked him how it compared to Naltrexone which he had used for some time. He said: “I used Naltrexone for several months. There is no comparison.”
Note: Transfer Factor Plus is sold through distributors or can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. While it retails for $60 to $75 a bottle for 60 capsules, it can be purchased wholesale for $49.95. For information on obtaining TF or TF Plus at the lowest possible price, contact Jim at 515-472-1989.
Contact us at keephope@execpc.com and we will send you some of our latest newsletters (Positive Health News, No 20) to bring along and pass on to delegates at the conference.
© 2000 Keep Hope Alive, PO Box 270041, West Allis, WI 53227 www.keephope.net 262-548-4344
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