Category Archives: Brain Health

3 Medical Challenges and Healthy Alternatives for Lungs, Diabetes and Vaccines

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Feb. 2021: references, details added:

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Just 2 Months’ Exposure to Anticholinergics (AC’s)* Affects Cognition

Physicians “absolutely” over-prescribe ACs, said Dr. Boustani, Indiana University Center for Aging Research. Patients might push for these drugs in the belief that if they simply take a pill, their symptoms will go away. Also, physicians typically don’t have the time to discuss medication alternatives with individual patients. “They take the easy way out, which is to just simply spend 10 seconds writing a prescription,” said Dr. Boustani.

AC’s are used for a variety of conditions including:

Respiratory (with most seniors with COPD and asthma), urogenitary, gastrointestinal, dizziness and insomnia (shorterm only) . The results highlight the importance of limiting prescriptions for ACs in older adults. All too often, said Dr. Boustani, patients continue to take AC medications even when they’re not working.

*A list of common prescribed and over the counter AC’s at end of article.

Lorene Benoit questions how is one to know if cognitive impairment in seniors is being caused by, or worsened by the long term use of these medications when Mild Cognitive Impairment has been noted after only 2 -3 months of use. Many seniors are on these medications, compounded by having  several of them combined, for long term, usually years or until death do them part! How often is declining cognition being brushed off as natural aging, or dementia? Plus, some of these medications are prescribed for children with rapidly developing brains!

Healthy Natural  Approaches for Respiratory use of AC’s

When possible, physicians should substitute AC medications with those that have fewer cognitive adverse effects or with nonpharmacologic alternatives, said Dr. Boustani.

Benoit offers even safer, natural alternatives be considered. For breathing and respiratory  distress caused by COPD, asthma, or other respiratory conditions like bronchitis, congestion and coughs, Lobelia is safe, effective and inexpensive.

Lobelia Inflata is a third degree medicinal herb. It has so many positive actions that Dr. John Christopher has a whole chapter in his “School of Natural Healing” textbook dedicated to lobelia.  Some of  the following properties make it one of the essential herbs to have on at hand in every home.

Medicinal properties include:

Nervine:  Lobelia is one of nature’s strongest relaxant nervine herbs. Because of its ability to relax the sympathetic nervous system, it has been used effectively for nervous excitement, hysteria, relaxing  tight colon (spastic constipation, IBS)

Antispasmodic:  stops spasms so is useful for muscle spasms, cramps, convulsions, irregular heart beat,  bronchial spasms such as in asthma, coughs,

Analgesic, Anodyne:  effective for painful conditions such as teething, earache, muscle and joint inflammation, kidney or gall bladder stones, stiff neck, injuries. Helps eliminate pain and toxins of poisonous bites and stings. Apply externally, as well as taking internally.

Deobstruant: Lobelia has the ability to remove obstructions. This makes it effective in loosening and helping with expectoration of mucous, especially in the respiratory tract and stomach.  It helps to cleanse and stimulate movement of lymph fluid, thus aiding this important part of our immune system and body’s natural waste disposal.

Stop smoking: “Medical Claim approved by Health Canada: Lobelia can help quit smoking, by helping to reduce the body’s craving for nicotine and easing withdrawal symptoms”. One of Lobelia’s active constituents is lobeline, which has a similar chemical composition to nicotine. This makes Lobelia very effective for those wishing to stop smoking, as lobeline will fill the nicotine receptor sites which create cravings, without any addictive effect or weight gain – a few drops under tongue, hold 30 seconds. Repeat up to 20 times per day, as required. Doing a cleanse, such as the Tiao He Pak (10-15 days), or Bod-E Klenz (30 days), can also help reduce cravings and make the shift to a positive lifestyle.

With these benefits, Lobelia should be in every person’s home 1st Aid Kit.

Other formulas that aid a weakened respiratory system is the Chinese formula LH-C.   Lung Healer – Chinese have kept many people off drugs and helped to heal lungs, not just address symptoms.

AL-J is another formula for allergies affecting respiratory system. It contains a blend of herbs well known for healing such as mullein, horseradish, fenugreek and boneset.

For other conditions for which ACs may be prescribed, there are a multitude of healthy herbs that have history of proven effectiveness that date back thousands of years.

References: Medscape: http://www.medscape.com

Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Published online November 26, 2012

Dr. John Christopher, “The School of Natural Healing”

 

Actos medication for Diabetes Class Action Law Suit

Actos is used to improve blood sugar (glucose) control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is prescribed to patients who have trouble regulating their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone. It may be used alone or with other medicines, including insulin and metformin.

However, long-term use of Actos is linked to a number of serious health complications, including heart failure, macular edema, lactic acidosis, bone fractures, and most recently bladder cancer. It is the link to bladder cancer that is leading more than 3,000 former Actos users to file lawsuits against Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the maker of the drug.

Reference: Aubrey Hayes     Public Outreach Drug Watch

ahayes@drugwatch.com     www.drugwatch.com

Healthy Natural  Approaches for Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

Safer herbal alternatives are GlucoReg, which has herbs traditionally used to control blood sugar mechanisms and Chromium GTF. Also dietary changes must be undertaken.

Recommendations in Lorene Benoit’s book: The Paw Paw Program – A “Christopher Columbus” Approach to Cancer – The World IS Round and Cancer CAN Be Treated Naturally are helpful.

Her book explains the sugar and disease and inflammation connection. As well, extensive dietary recommendations are given to help people understand how to eat better. Some recipes are also included. Eliminating sugar, in fact, is critical to optimum health and prevention of all chronic conditions, including diabetes and cancer!

Other options are the raw food approach, as shown in this 4 minute video part way through the May, 2011 newsletter.

 

Vaccines Linked to a Host of Chronic Illnesses

While the preceding mainstream articles dance around the theories of autism causation, vaccination is never mentioned as a possible “environmental” factor in the etiology of autism. Vaccines are linked not only to autism, but to many chronic conditions that used to be rare in children. The producers of the new documentary The Greater Good, provide a catalogue of over 200 studies that raise serious concerns about vaccine side effects.

References: Vaccine Risk Awareness Network

http://www.greatergoodmovie.org/learn-more/science/

* A list of common prescribed and over the counter AC’s :

List of common prescribed anticholinergics
  • atropine (Atropen)
  • belladonna alkaloids.
  • benztropine mesylate (Cogentin)
  • clidinium.
  • cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl)
  • darifenacin (Enablex)
  • dicylomine.
  • fesoterodine (Toviaz)

In addition to prescription anticholinergics, commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) anticholinergics are: antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, doxylamine, and dimenhydrinate.

 

Healthy Natural  Approaches for Immunity

See our past archives on Vaccines, specifically, Safe Vaccine Alternatives, and Immune Tips.

BI POLAR Natural Aids

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Links for products change, and new products for conditions are developed , so please contact the author for assistance, or to order.

QUESTION
We have a friend recently diagnosed with Bi-Polar and he wants
to heal it the natural way… I am researching it for him as I’d like
to see him go that way instead of with what the doctor wants him to take.
Any info you could share would be most appreciated, thank you! DL

 

ANSWER
Many respected medical doctors have used proper nutrition to treat emotional and psychological conditions, as well as physical. From Dr. Linus Pauling, nobel prize winner, to Dr. Abram Hoffer (co-authors of the extensive book OrthoMolecular Medicine) are just two of many. OrthoMolecular Medicine  means using vitamins and minerals in therapeutic dosages. Dr. Abram Hoffer was medical advisor of a Mental Institution in Saskatchewan and had far better results treating schizophrenic patients with nutrition than drugs. He also had promising results with cancer patients using a nutritional protocol. Besides being an acclaimed author and running a busy medical, practice Dr. Hoffer lectured internationally for many years, to Medical practitioners and students, so it is surprising to hear some doctors say, “ nutrition is not proven or researched”.

 

Researchers do not definitively understand some conditions, such as Bipolar. Theories range considerably, with no proven hypotheses. A shortage of lithium in the brain is one, just as a shortage of serotonin has been hypothesized to cause depression. More recent research throws considerable doubt on both of these theories.  A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry  from U. Michigan, 2000, reports “in those with bipolar disorder, two major areas of the brain contain 30 percent more cells that send signals to other brain cells.” This report theorizes that “the extra signal-sending cells may lead to a kind of over-stimulation, which makes sense considering the symptoms of bipolar disorder”. Researchers are quite certain that the neurotransmitter system is at least part of the cause of bipolar disorder, but further research is still needed to define its exact role.

 

Most scientists concur that  psychological disorders are usually caused by multiple interacting  factors,  including biological, (heredity or genetic tendency) and psychological.  One of the best researched current explanations is  the “Diathesis-Stress Model.” The word diathesis means, in simplified terms, a bodily condition that make a person more than usually susceptible to certain diseases. Thus the Diathesis-Stress Model says that “each person inherits certain physical predispositions that leave him or her vulnerable to problems that may or may not appear, depending on what kinds of situations that person confronts” (Bernstein et al., 2000). Durand and Barlow define this model as a “hypothesis that both an inherited tendency and specific stressful conditions are required to produce a disorder” (2000).

A manic or depressive incidence is usually triggered by a stressful life event or issues in the person’s environment. This may include the loss of something or someone, a loved one, job, home; to any change such as the birth of a child, a new job or home, a move, or threatening life situations. Remember that what is a physical, mental, emotional or spiritual stressor to one person may not be to another.  Once the disorder is triggered and progresses, “it seems to develop a life of its own. Once the cycle begins, a psychological or pathophysiological process takes over and ensures that the disorder will continue” (Durand & Barlow, 2000).

We know that stress can be approached naturally via the Four Pillars of Health as described in Lorene Benoit’s book: The Paw Paw Program. To briefly outline,  the four pillars are listed below, with some specifics relating to BiPolar:
  • DIET: superior nutrition through improved diet, much like that recommended in the book. A diet that is beneficial for treatment and prevention of cancer is the same diet that helps improve everyone’s overall health.
  • EMOTIONAL HEALTH: especially stress reduction techniques, including meditation, yoga, relaxation, energy clearing,  counselling
  • EXERCISE:  to stimulate our “feel good” neurotransmitters, chemicals and hormones
  • HERBS and SUPPLEMENTS: some that we have had positive experience with for bipolar are:

 

Daily Maintenance suggestions:
Stress Formula  or  Nervous Support Pak (US) – includes B vitamins, relaxing nervine herbs, or
Chinese Mineral Chi Tonic – to help regulate Chi or energy flow, plus providing trace mineral nutrition
Super Omega 3‘s to support the nervous system – at

 

In times of Manic or Depressive phases, add:
STR-C – (STRess Chinese)  a Chinese constitutional formula that calms an agitated mind – this one specifically to help calm a manic phase
AD-C – (AntiDepressant Chinese) A Chinese constitutional formula that clears stagnant Chi to help relieve depression

 

Therapeutic essential oils of  Ylang ylang, Rose Geranium, and Lemon have also been used as an effective aids.

 

As people with this condition can be helped with natural supplementation,  this is preferable to drug treatment, as all drugs have toxic side effects.  Besides the drug negative effects, many do not address the underlying causes, exacerbate the condition and may cause complications due to their addictive nature. In a crisis, if drugs are required, work at bringing the body back into balance for long term health.

 

For more information, personal consultations, or to order any of the above products to your home contact Benoit & Associates Health Education at TakeTheNaturalPath@gmail.com or 250-748-6802.

 

Brain Health, Stress and Overload

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Information Fatigue Syndrome, is a new ‘Syndrome’ which many people are experiencing. Some symptoms include increased anxiety, sleeplessness, less leisure time and less enjoyment when we do take leisure due to multi-tasking, and our brain always working.

The CEO of Google says, “Every 2 days we are creating as much information as we did from dawn of civilization to 2003“. This from TV, email, You Tube, texting, Facebook, radio …. think about that – it’s an amazing fact!

It is just one of the challenges putting us into information overload stress and in my practice, we are experiencing and seeing more of it with clients. However, according to Dr. Amen, expert on brain plasticity, we can be proactive to keep our brains healthy into old age, as research shows brains CAN increase their function at any age or stage of this game of life.

To help keep the brain healthy we can nourish our brain, body, spirit and soul. Some tips to do this are detailed in the 4 Pillars of Health section included in my book, The Paw Paw Program – A “Christopher Columbus” Approach to Cancer. The World IS Round and Cancer CAN Be Treated Naturally.

To nourish our brain and our body we need phyto-nutrients available in fruits and vegetables.  Let these guys dance around in your life!

Herbs are nutritionally dense powerhouses to add nutrition to your life. Supplemetns that are specific for the brain are Gingko Biloba, Gotu Kola and Omega 3.

Gingko Biloba  is nick-named the tree of long life and longevity. It feeds the brain and enhances memory. We use the slow release Gingko that is standardized and potent.

The second outstanding brain herb is Gota Kola, which is traditionally used to sharpen thinking, rejuvenate the brain, enhance memory, and overcome fatigue.

Super Omega 3 provides EPA and DHA support better brain development, higher IQ, greater alertness and calmness of mind.

Stress reduction is critical as part of our 4 Pillars. What helps you relax, so you CAN shut off your brain? How about a nice bath with NSP Concentrate and Lavender oil? The NSP concentrate helps emulsify the Essential Oils, gives some luxuriant bubbles, and leaves you and the bathtub squeaky clean. It’s biodegradable, so is clean for the environment, sewage or septic.

Avoid Multi Tasking

Multitasking, so often considered a mark of mastery in the modern age, isn’t quite what we think it is.

“Multitasking,” as it’s used in common parlance, is somewhat of a misnomer: rather than performing multiple tasks simultaneously, the brain actually switches rapidly between tasks. And task-switching is an expensive habit that gobbles up extra processing power, rendering any attempt to “multitask” less efficient than simply concentrating on one task at a time.

A 2009 study from Stanford discovered that frequent multitasking hurts cognitive performance. People labeled as “heavy media multitaskers”—those who consumed several forms of media at once, like texting while listening to music—were worse at attention tests. They also floundered on challenging working memory tests and scored lower on a task-switching assessment. The researchers postulated that frequent exposure to irrelevant stimuli made these “heavy” users less adept at filtering interference .

For more information on the 4 Pillars of  Health  to help with your brain function, contact our office to order Lorene Benoit’s  Paw Paw Program book. Your questions and comments are welcome on our blog!

TakeTheNaturalPath@gmail.co or 250-748-6802.

Should you wish to order directly from http://www.naturessunshine.com use this number for Preferred Customer discount #309344.

Ginkgo biloba: Benefits to brain, stroke prevention and treatment and other CV challenges

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The herb Ginkgo biloba has a long history as the ultimate brain and memory booster. In China it is considered the Tree of Longevity, some trees living to more than 1000 years old. Significant research has shown it can also protect you from brain damage after a stroke, as well as aiding in prevention of all cardiovascular challenges.

The American Stroke Association says strokes can occur when a clot blocks or bursts a blood vessel to the brain. This damage prevents your brain from getting the blood and oxygen it needs. When your brain is starved of life-giving oxygen, it could lead to seizures, vision problems, memory and speech loss, or paralysis.

According to research completed at Johns Hopkins University there is evidence that Ginkgo biloba may neutralize cell-damaging free radicals.  A research team gave mice daily doses of Ginkgo biloba extract. The mice then had a laboratory-induced stroke. The researchers found these mice suffered about half the brain damage as animals not given the ginkgo.

They also found that mice that were give ginkgo five minutes after the induced stroke sustained nearly 60 percent less brain damage the day after the stroke than those not given ginkgo at all. And when mice received ginkgo 4 1/2 hours after a stroke—they still showed about a third less damage than those not given ginkgo!

“If further work confirms what we’ve seen, we could theoretically recommend a daily regimen of ginkgo to people at high risk of stroke as a preventive measure against brain damage,” said lead researcher Sylvain Dore, associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine.

Gingko has also been used to improve concentration and memory, Raynaud’s, and is an effective blood thinner for stroke prevention.

The Ginkgo biloba that I use is a time released concentrate, which is very potent and effective. Contact our office to learn how to order this potent Gingko Biloba.