The Health Plus Letter
January 27, 2004, Vol.2, No.4
By Larry Trivieri, Jr. – founder & publisher
Table Of Contents
Special Announcement: My New Book and My Thanks to Gary Null
What’s New
Quote of the Day
Fast Facts
Medical Freedom Alert
Health News and Commentary
Self-Care Tips for Treating Gingivitis
The Power of A Human Spirit - A Tribute to My Sister Andrea (Part 11)
Reader Feedback (Cancer, My Sister, and Doctor X)
Recommendations
Special Announcement
Both Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble online are offering my newest book, Health on the Edge: Visionary Views of Healing in the New Millennium at a healthy discount. To order it, visit either http://www.amazon.com (which gave it 5 stars, its highest rating) or http://www.bn.com (Barnes and Noble). Simply type in the title or my name on their homepages and you’ll find it. Please tell others about it, too, because the information and self-care exercises it contains are important, and it’s the first book of its kind to contain such a range of topics related to the future of health and healing. Here’s a review of it posted by an Amazon customer:
Great Overview of the Future of Medicine
"What an eye-opener this book is! As the United States begins the 21st century saddled with health care costs approaching $2 trillion/year, it's obvious our medical system is on the verge of total failure. But just when things seem hopeless, Trivieri provides us with overviews of 12 leading visionary healers and researchers whose work holds the promise of ushering in a new era of energy-based medicine that will be a quantum leap beyond anything our current system has to offer. What is most heartening to me is the fact that the technologies this book explores are already available and many of them empower the individual to gain control of his/her health from an effective self-care perspective. To prove this point, Trivieri includes practical self-care methods developed by each of the people he profiles, making this fascinating book much more than just a series of compelling interviews. I highly recommend it!”
I’d also like to extend my thanks to Gary Null, who had me on his radio show yesterday discussing the information in Health on the Edge. Gary is one of the most knowledgeable lay experts in the field of holistic health, and it was an honor for me to be his guest. I encourage those of you in Gary’s listening area (WBAI in New York City) to tune into his shows, which air at noon EST, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday. Visit http://www.garynull.com for more information, including other markets in which his show is syndicated.
What’s New
I’m back with a full issue this week, including a new article on treating gingivitis, a gum disease and health condition that is very common among many adults which, if left untreated, can lead to far more serious health conditions, including heart attack.
The Health News and Commentary section is also back, with a number of news items I think you’ll find interesting, and I’m continuing my tribute to my sister Andrea with the 11th installment of The Power of A Human Spirit.
Please continue to send me your comments and suggestions. In particular, let me know what you would like to see me continue doing with this newsletter, as well as things you would like to see me start. Also, let me know what, if anything, you would like to see me discontinue. Your feedback is important to me and will help me tailor each issue to address your interests. You can email me at larry@1healthyworld.com.
And please spread the word about The Health Plus Letter by passing it along to your friends and inviting them to subscribe.
Quote Of The Day
“The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without government, I should not hesi/tate a moment to prefer the latter."
- Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of the United States
Fast Facts
Despite an annual health care costs estimated at $1.5 trillion, the most money spent on health care by any nation, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 36 countries rank higher than the United States in terms of effective health care systems.
Source: “World Health Report 2000” World Health Organization.
In the U.S., visits to practitioners of alternative medicine exceed visits to conventional physicians by over 200 million visits per year and are almost entirely paid for out-of-pocket by patients.
Source: “Trends in Alternative Medicine Use in the United States, 1990-1997.” JAMA, 280 (1998):1569-75.
Medical Freedom Alert
Please do your part to ensure that the misleadingly named “Dietary Safety Supplement” Act (S. 722) is defeated. To become informed about S. 722 and to take action to help defeat its passage, please visit: http://capwiz.com/nnfa/S722.html
To stay informed of other developments related to medical freedom, please visit http://www4.dr-rath-foundation.org the website of Dr. Mattias Rath, a leading crusader for medical freedom.
Unabashed Plug
The Burton Goldberg eBook Library of Health is still on Sale! Currently, all 11 of the critically-acclaimed titles in this series are available for only $9.95, a savings of nearly 70% over their normal $29.95 price. This offer is in effect until the end of the month and is my way of saying thank you to all my readers for the support and encouragement I’ve received from you since I launched The Health Plus Letter and 1HealthyWorld.com earlier this year. To learn more about Burton’s eBooks, visit http://www.1healthyworld.com/ebooks.
Health News and Commentary
Vitamins C and E Shown to Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk
Researchers at John Hopkins University have found that “combining vitamin E and vitamin C supplements can dramatically reduce the risk of Alzheimer's [disease]” by as much as 78% in terms of prevalence of the condition. Between 1995-1997, the researchers assessed the use of supplements and the incidence of Alzheimer’s and dementia among 4, 740 people aged 65 of older. During this time period, they found 200 cases of Alzheimer’s. They then track the same group from 1998-2000, discovering 104 new cases of the disease. The group was then further assessed according their intake of vitamins C and E. The researchers found the greatest reduction in both prevalence and incidence of Alzheimer's disease occurred among those who used individual vitamin E and C supplements in combination (taking a minimum of 400 IU and 500 mg, respectively), with or without an additional multivitamin.
Source: The Archives of Neurology, Jan., 2004.
[Comment: The current recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C and vitamin E respectively is 75-90 mg and 22 IU, amount which most nutritionally-oriented physicians claim is far too low to have sufficient preventive properties. The study above is only the latest to suggest that they are correct. At the same time, I don’t believe that nutritional supplementation alone is enough to prevent Alzheimer’s or dementia, especially with the preponderance of evidenced suggesting strong links between the rising incidence of both diseases and environmental toxins. I personally believe that Western society’s tendency to marginalize our older citizens once they retire is also related to such conditions. Were we as a society not so conditioned to equate aging with decline and obsolescence, I believe we would see a dramatic improvement in the health of our elderly.]
More and More Parents Are Questioning the Use of Childhood Vaccines
A survey published earlier this month in the American Journal Preventive Medicine indicates that growing numbers of parents in the U.S. are questioning the wisdom of administering childhood vaccines and using flu vaccines during pregnancy. According to the survey, physicians report that 19% of their patients fear the vaccines could harm their children’s immune system, and 16% of them question if their children really need all of the vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For more on this story, see http://snipurl.com/437v
[Comment: Though the CDC continues to assure us that vaccines are safe and necessary, the word is getting out that a large body of evidence suggests that this is not always the case. I predict that the percentage of parents who are questioning the wisdom of vaccination will continue to grow in tandem with that evidence, the more that people become informed about it.]
Self-Care Tips for Preventing and Reversing Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the most common type of periodontal (gum) disease, resulting in inflammation of the gums. It can be acute (short-lived), chronic (ongoing), or recurrent. Left untreated, the inflammation can spread, involving more tissues, such as the membranes around the base of the teeth, and possibly result in erosion of the underlying bone. This is known as periodontitis, the major cause of bone loss in adults. Gingivitis has recently been shown to be capable of spreading bacteria to other areas of the body, contributing to other forms of illness due to the toxic burden placed on the body. Among these illnesses is heart disease.
Symptoms of gingivitis include red, inflamed gum tissue that bleeds easily when exposed to very minimal injury (such as that caused by teeth brushing and flossing or eating hard foods). Usually there is no pain. Gingivitis normally occurs due to poor oral hygiene, which leads to the buildup of bacterial plaque (sticky deposits made up of mucus and microorganisms that adhere to the teeth due to poor dental cleaning habits.
While gingivitis is normally not considered to be a serious health condition, it may be an initial sign of an underlying systemic problem or debilitating disease, such as diabetes, leukemia, allergies, immune dysfunction, heavy metal toxicity, or nutritional deficiencies (including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins – especially folic acid -, calcium, magnesium, and/or zinc).
Causes
The primary causes of gingivitis are poor dental hygiene (nonregular brushing of the teeth and lack of flossing), poor diet, and/or nutritional deficiencies. Smo/king is also a major factor in the development of gingivitis, and periodontal disease in general, with smokers being 2 to 4 times likely to suffer from such conditions. Birth control pills, which deplete the body of folic acid, may also be a factor.
Prevention
The best way to prevent gingivitis is to adopt healthy dental cleaning habits, which include daily removing plaque buildup through regular brushing, flossing, and the use of an antiseptic mouthwash. Regular dental checkups and teeth cleaning are also advised. It is recommended that you see your dentist (ideally, someone who practices holistic dentistry) every six months, and more frequently if you already suffer from gingivitis. A healthy diet that avoids junk foods and refined carbohydrates is also essential, as is treating any underlying systemic health problems. Self-care approaches for dealing with gingivitis include diet, nutritional therapy, botanicals, and other topical treatments.
Diet-Emphasize a whole foods diet that includes at least 5 to 7 daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, high fiber foods, and plenty of pure water (especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night) to help cleanse the mouth. Junk foods, refined carbohydrates, soda, commercial fruit juices, and artificial flavorings should all be avoided. Brushing and flossing after each meal, or at least two times a day (morning and evening) is also recommended.
Nutritional Therapy-Many holistic physicians and dentists recommend following flossing with a gargle of liquid folic acid (0.1% solution). Do this for one minute 1 to 2 times/day, and then swallow. If you cannot find liquid folic acid, you can buy folic acid crystals in 800 mcg capsules. Empty 2 capsules in water and use this to gargle. Folic acid supplements (500 mcg to 1 mg daily) taken orally are also advised. Other useful nutrients for treating gingivitis include: vitamin C (1,000 to 3,000 mg/day), vitamin A (25,000 IU/day for several months), calcium (600-1,500 mg daily), vitamin B complex, beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, and CoQ10. (To determine your overall need for nutrients and correct dosages, consult with a nutritionally-oriented physician. If your gums do not respond within several weeks of daily flossing, a healthy diet, and nutritional supplementation, see a dentist and/or physician.)
Botanicals-Botanical remedies, used both internally and topically, can also be helpful. A commonly prescribed botanical remedy is to combine equal amounts of the tinctures of myrrh and echinacea and apply small amounts to your gums 3 times/day. You can also make a mouthwash using an infusion of either sage or chamomile. Rinse thoroughly, but do not swallow. Ayurvedic physicians also often recommend brushing your teeth using a paste of neem powder. (Mix with water and apply directly to your toothbrush.)
Topical Treatments-Use toothpaste or other oral hygienic products that contain vitamin C, citrus seed extract, tea tree oil, or baking soda. Or combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a paste to brush your teeth with. Massage your gums with your fingers 2 to 3 times a day, and also be sure to brush your tongue, especially if it is coated, as the tongue can often contain bacterial deposits that can exacerbate plaque buildup. Liquid chlorophyll can also be applied directly to the gums.
Note: The information above was adapted from Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition, co-authored and edited by Larry Trivieri, Jr. (Celestial Arts, 2002).
Unabashed Plug
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The Power of A Human Spirit - A Tribute to My Sister Andrea (Part 11)
[The first 10 parts of this article appeared in issues 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of Volume 1, and issues 1, 2 and 3, Volume 2 of The Health Plus Letter, all of which are available at http://www.1healthyworld.com/ezine.]
Andrea faced her recurrence of cancer with the same grace and fortitude that she had exhibited all along. A cat scan revealed numerous small tumors throughout her brain, and after consulting with her oncologist, she elected to undergo radiation therapy in July, 2002, receiving 20 treatments over four weeks. To speak with her during that time, one would not have guessed that anything in her life had changed. Her attitude remained positive, and her laughter was always a part of her conversations with friends and family. Nor did she slow down her daily activities, maintaining her schedule of talks and classes at Gilda’s Club, and her frequent excursions to see the latest movie or play. Whatever fears or pain she experienced she kept to herself. The specialist who oversaw her treatments felt confident that they would prove successful, although, due to brain swelling caused by the radiation, nothing definitive would be known for another month or two, since the swelling had to subside before another cat scan could be performed. Andrea assumed the best, and went about her life.
During this time, her daughter, Alyssa, was chosen to spend a year in Paris as an exchange student at the Sorbonne. Given the turn in Andrea’s condition, Alyssa initially leaned towards foregoing the opportunity, wanting to be close by in case Andrea needed her. (She was attending college in Staten Island at the time.) Andrea wouldn’t hear of it, knowing how much Alyssa had been looking forward to living and studying abroad. She insisted that Alyssa go, pointing out that, it the need arose, she could always fly back home on short notice. “You worked hard to achieve this opportunity,” she told her. “I want you to make the most of it.” So, that fall, Alyssa embarked upon a new adventure, still trepidatious about leaving her mother behind, but by then comforted by the fact that the subsequent cat scan and other tests indicated that the radiation had worked.
More than ever, Andrea embodied the principle of “living in the moment.” Rather than worry about what her future might hold, she chose to focus on making each day as rich an experience as possible. She also became increasingly open about her emotions, allowing them free expression. When she was sad, she wept; when she was angry, she freely expressed it, her manner increasingly like that of children who give their emotions their due, then move on into the next moment unencumbered by suppressed emotional energies. By this time, she frequently experienced pain in her neck and upper back, and her arthritic symptoms also worsened, as did her neuropathy in her hands and feet, but none of this slowed her down. Whenever I spoke or visited with her, she always had a bunch of new adventures to regale me with, and as 2002 came to a close, it once again seemed as if she had won her battle. Her tumor markers once again were improving (by this time she was once more undergoing maintenance chemotherapy) and her oncologist, not one for false hope, began to echo Andrea’s inherent optimism.
But on my birthday in mid-January, 2003, testing showed that her brain mets had returned. Not wanting to spoil my day, she enjoined my sisters and mother, with whom she shared the news, to keep it from me. Because of that selfless act, I passed the day and most of the evening in a high state of joy, thanks to all the well-wishes of friends and family that I received from all across the country. Andrea waited until late evening to call me, and even then she did not reveal her news until we had spoken for some time and she was satisfied that I’d had a wonderful day. And when she finally did tell me, she made light of it. In the face of her courage, the only proper response was for me to live in the moment with her. I expressed my sorrow, but did not succumb to fear, and that was wholly due to the example she set for me. We talked for a long time before she finally admitted to being tired. Her final words to me that night were, “I’m glad you had a great birthday. Don’t worry about me. You know me, I’ll get through it.” “I know you will,” I replied, meaning it. “OK, well, goodnight. I love you, Larry, and I’ll talk with you soon.”
When she hung up, I knew she would not live to see the end of the year. But I didn’t cry that night. For the moment, at least, her courage demanded that I be hopeful, and so I was. I went to bed praying for her, praying that everything would be all right. A prayer I shared with the rest of my family and everyone else who knew and loved Andrea. And a prayer that God answered in ways I nev/er could have foreseen, beginning with the peace that filled my heart that night as I fell asleep.
[Continued next issue.]
Unabashed Plug
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Reader Feedback (Cancer, My Sister, and Doctor X)
I received a lot of email about last week’s issue. Here’s a sampling.
From Jeanne P:
“Dear Larry - My compassion for Dr. X (all the Dr. X's) and your Andrea (all cancer patients who believe in the orthodox) is all encompassing.
In 1983, when I was first diagnosed, I believed the media hype about the 'magic bullet'. So I went the orthodox route at first...through the program of chemo, surgery, radiation. But searching for answers all the while, because the elusive magic bullet wasn't offered.
I had already watched my Father (exited 1970) and my best friend (exited 1975) tortured by the protocols called medical care and was well aware of the progression and the usual outcome of those procedures.
In my 'off hours' I learned about macrobiotics, mega dosing on vitamins, Philippine psychic surgeons and, above all, smiled a lot. Oh yes, I woke up to the nightmare every morning and slammed doors, cried and screamed (vented big time) until time to go to work. Then I pulled the smile out of my pocket, pasted it on and faced my other world. After my final radiation treatment January, 1984, I refused any further orthodox treatment. I had tolerated 5 chemo treatments, adriamycin, cytoxin, 5fu (we know what fu stands for, don't we?), a mastectomy for invasive duct carcinoma which was at stage 4 and 21 radiation treatments via what they called a linear accelerator.
Today I am told that I have congestive heart failure and a mass in my left lung (cancer was on the right side) that is growing slowly. Three biopsies did not yield definitive tissue and I declined a fourth, because they cannot administer chemo or perform surgery due to my heart condition. So why permit them to torment me?
They tell me that I should be on the bed and feeling terrible. But, at age 70, I still work a 40-hour week and in my off time firmly believe that as long as I seek I will always find and that doors will open for me. Also, I've been under the care of a medical intuitive for 3 years...Highly recommend.
Please let us know how Dr. X's case progresses. People like me need him. More and more of us are taking matters into our own hands, but as you know, we may be playing roulette without guidance from people like Dr. X. At least, my friends who are being diagnosed with breast cancer today (2000 to present) have the internet and alternative professionals for advice. I was pretty much in limbo in 1983. Also, thank you for sharing Andrea's story. My heart always goes out to naive believers. Bless them in their innocence. It's hard to watch, but essential to love them and support their choices, just as they need to accept our wishes. We appreciate your newsletter.
Love, Jeanne”
Jeanne’s email deeply moved me, conveying as it does the uncertainty so many cancer patients face about their choice of treatment, and the courage so many of them, just like my sister Andrea, exhibit as they make their journey towards healing. It’s letters like hers that keep me doing what I do.
Ralph from the UK voiced a question shared by a number of readers concerning “Doctor X.”
“I am puzzled why this doctor is referred to as doctor X when he has been publicly identifed in newspapers and his real name is obviously a matter of public record. Could you explain this please?”
This is an excellent question. As I replied to Ralph, I have not identified "Doctor X" by name just yet, at his request. Because of the sensitive nature of his situation, he doesn't want publicity. Like you, I expected his arrest would be a matter of record that could be found on the Internet, but when I conducted a web search in his name using Google, nothing came up except for one unrelated reference to his lab. I tried to speak with him again prior to the publication of next week's issue of The Health Plus Letter, but he told me he requires another two weeks before he's willing to go on the record. The only reason I am aware of his plight is because he and I have a mutual friend who informed me of it, spurring me to call and speak with him directly. I will keep you informed of this case as more develops.
Pat P. asks:
“Would inform your readers about where treatment for cancer is available outside the U.S. I realize you cannot recommend a place, but can you identify clinics where individuals have reported success with the treatment of cancer.”
There are a number of physicians and clinics, both in the U.S. and abroad, who/which are having success treating cancer. An excellent place to start to educate yourself about them and their approaches is the Resources Directory within 1HealthyWorld.com. You’ll find a link to it right on my homepage. Once there, select “Cancer Treatments/Info” within the Therapies subdirectory. Another excellent site (which I apologize for not yet having included in this section) is http://www.annieappleseedproject.org, a comprehensive resource created and maintained by Ann Fonfa, whom I am honored to have as one of my readers. People Against Cancer (you’ll find a link in my Resource Directory) and The Cancer Control Society (search by name on Google.com) are also excellent sources of information.
Donene L writes:
“Thank you for your dedication. I look forward to your weekly eletter. It keeps me informed and updated on a broad base of wellness issues/practices. Even though it is U.S. slanted (still very relevant to Canadians, i.e., our Federal Health system (stuck in 'old think') also punishes our health professionals who rock the traditional medical system's boat with non drug, holistic, results-based practices), I still extract wonderful information. I've passed on your eletter information to my very well informed New Zealand niece, a nurse practitioner, who's bringing her willing M.D. doctor boss into the 21st century. I encourage you to incorporate a global perspective for those of us not in the U.S., but thirsty for knowledge. Keep up the great work.”
Will do, Donene. And I’ll be the first to admit that The Health Plus Letter tends to be “US-centric,” although the self-care articles and other features do have relevance to anyone, no matter where they live. All told, I have readers in about 30 countries, with the vast majority of them living in the U.S. So I invite my readers in other countries to email me whenever you find news in your homelands that you wish to share. Health, like humanity, is universal and not bound by national borders.
Recommendations
Website:
http://www.preventcancer.org - The website of Dr. Samuel Epstein, one of the world’s leading experts on the link between cancer and environmental pollution. This is an excellent resource you can use to educate yourself about the extent that environmental toxins affect the health of everyone on this planet and what you can do about it. Be sure to read about Dr. Epstein’s campaign to stop cancer.
Book:
The Orion Protocol by Gary Tigerman. I read this novel in one sitting, staying up past 4 a.m. in order to do so, that’s how engaged I was by the story it tells. A story about sec/ret government projects born out of America’s Apollo space program and kept even from presidents, and begun because of the discovery that humanity is not alone within the cosmos. This book is fiction, but I personally believe there is a lot of truth within its pages. I recommend it highly.
See you next week.
Health and Blessings!
Larry Trivieri, Jr. (larry@1healthyworld.com)
Disclaimer: The Health Plus Letter is a weekly eZine published by Larry Trivieri, Jr. and Library of Health, LLC (dba www.1healthyworld.com) 1514 Genesee Street, Suite 52, Utica, NY 13502. It is made available without charge for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical care. If you are experiencing a health problem, seek prompt medical attention.
Legal Notice: The information in this eZine may be freely and widely disseminated so long as full attribution is made as follows: The Health Plus Letter, January 27, 2004, Vol.2, No.4. Copyright © 2004 by Larry Trivieri, Jr. All rights reserved.
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