My Aching Stomach

An inflamed and overworked stomach is so common today that we rarely see one totally free from irritation. This causes loss of energy, increasing the incidence of stomach diseases from gastritis to cancer. Energy loss is also a heavy drain on the nervous system, leaving us less perceptive, discerning, and decisive.

Dangers

Americans have more peptic ulcers than any other people, the three most common dietary causes being alcohol, aspirin, and vinegar. These irritate the stomach lining, causing overproduction of pepsin
and hydrochloric acid, and further weakening the stomach and its immune defense. Germs are more likely to successfully invade a weakened stomach.

Many use a variety of other common gastro-intestinal irritants. Hot pepper and cloves cause bleeding of the inflamed stomach. Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and baking powder products may all cause spasm of the intestine. The fermenting of many dairy products produces amines, ammonia, and irritating acids. One of the toxic amines produced in cheese causes migraine headaches; and lactose, the chief carbohydrate of cheese and milk, is probably the most common food sensitivity in America.

Caffeine, nicotine, and chocolate have all been associated with chromosomal damage. Children who use these are at greater risk for immune system damage and many organ injuries, resulting in problems ranging from cancer, diabetes, and hypertension, to lower school grades. Some of the symptoms are irritability, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, fatigue, headache, restlessness, depression, and gastro-intestinal disturbances. Over 90 percent of Americans use caffeine, and some research indicates decaffeinated drinks are as harmful as the caffeinated ones.

Common Causes of Stomach Irritation

• Foods that are Too Hot or Cold - Thermal injury may result

• Drinking with Meals - Digestion and stomach emptying are both delayed, causing stagnation, one of the most common causes of ulcers and gastritis

• Late Evening Meals - Once asleep, the body slows digestion and nearly stops producing stomach acid, also causing stagnation

• Eating Too Much - One-half to two-thirds less food than presently consumed is best for most people

• Chewing Too Little - Large bites, poorly chewed, induce irritation

• Crowding Meals - Meals or snacks closer together than five hours can result in toxic compounds of digestion

• Complex Mixture of Foods - Dishes combining more than three or four major items make a greater tax on digestion, encouraging toxic compounds in the blood

• Eating Fruits and Vegetables Together in One Meal - Each requires different enzymes. The fewer enzyme systems used in a meal the better

• Fermented Foods - Sauerkraut, cheese, soy sauce, and similar products

Vinegar - Anything made with vinegar contains acetic acid or related irritant

• Manufactured Proteins - Heavy meat substitutes drain energy from the liver and kidneys, increasing risk of failure

• Refined Sugar and Oils, Vitamin or Mineral Preparations - Concentrated nutrients are more likely to irritate the stomach than less concentrated foods

• Baking Soda and Baking Powder- These upset the stomach's biochemical balance

Treatment

The treatment for an irritated stomach is very simple and can begin by avoiding stomach irritants altogether.

A regular schedule for meals' lessens the stomach's workload. Chew your food well and reduce drinks with meals. Drink only water between meals.

Get plenty of sunshine and fresh air, and help digestion by mild physical activity after meals, 1.1 such as taking a brisk stroll.

Be regular with sleeping hours and temperate in all you do, since temperance is the one law that holds the others together.

Above everything, trust God to help you accomplish these changes. If you ask, He will help you.

Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" so it's possible!

Dr. Agatha Thrash confounded Uchee Pines Institute A variety of Dr. Thrash's books as well as some very good cookbooks are available from Uchee Pines Country Life Natural Food Store by calling 877-824-3374.

Cancer

Cancer in the U.S.A. is on the rise, due mainly to the typical unhealthy American diet. When we, as Christians, talk to people about cancer and how it can be prevented simply by eating healthy foods, and how it can be treated successfully using natural remedies, we are generally looked upon with some skepticism. You see, most people still trust the medical professionals and their words as being the ultimate authority when it comes to your health. When will we understand that health professionals do not have your interest at heart? Sure, they are knowledgeable, and they have high levels of education to "prove" they know what they're talking about. When will we understand that God does not "practice" medicine, and that His natural remedies are cures, not cover-up treatments that ultimately destroy the body systems. Well, for those who believe Man, and find it rather difficult to believe God and His word, this article is especially for you.

We have all heard of John Hopkins University and John Hopkins Medical Center. J.H.M.C. is one of the best, if not the best, medical center in the United States. Listen to what they have to say regarding their latest findings on the cause and treatment of cancer. Their recent article reads as follows:

After years of telling people chemotherapy is the only way to "try" and eliminate cancer, John Hopkins has determined that there is an alternative way.

*When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

*To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

* Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidney, heart, lungs etc.

* Radiation, while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

*When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

* Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery an also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

* An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

* Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar, it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses, but only in very small amounts. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus.

*Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. (God says it's best not to eat any flesh food at all in the Bible).

* A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice; whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. Eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day.

* Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water (purified or filtered. Tap water has toxins and heavy metals. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

* Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells,.

* Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level.

* Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. (End of report).

John Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletter. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. May this information be accepted and helpful you all who read it. 

Personally, I believe if we follow God's original diet in Gen 1:29 we would not have these diseases!

Bananas, An Amazing Fruit

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!

After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial n umber of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up deplete d blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking & Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxy gen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around; so maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth.

Amazing fruit!

HEALTH NEWS ~ SEPTEMBER

I can hardly believe summer is almost gone and fall is around the corner.  Here is a great recipe to try while summer is still here and all the fresh fruit is available.

Fruit Salad

One recipe Whipped Topping (See April’s Newsletter)

Fresh fruit of choice, but here are some ideas:

Blueberries  
Pineapple
Apples                
Bananas
Strawberries  
Honeydew
Kiwi      
Papaya
Grapes      
Orange
Raspberries  
Cantaloupe

Cut up fruit and place in bowl.  Add whipped topping and mix with a big spoon and chill.  Serve with toast or popcorn and enjoy!

It would be well for us to do less cooking and to eat more fruit in its natural state. Let us teach the people to eat freely of the fresh grapes, apples, peaches, pears, berries, and all other kinds of fruit that can be obtained. 7T 134

Fruit is so good for us, we need to be sure to eat it every day and a variety.  Did you know that…?

The pomegranate is referred to in 11 Old Testament books. This shows the importance of this fruit.
In Exodus 28:33 we read that the hem of the high priest’s robe was embroidered with pomegranates. Pomegranates were used to ornament the pillars in King Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 7:20). The spies who went to explore the land of Canaan returned with a single cluster of grapes so large that two men had to carry it on a pole. They also had some pomegranates and figs to prove that the land was fertile (Num. 13:23). Yes, the pomegran - ates grew in abundance in Canaan. So the pomegranate is a special fruit!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE: Sweetest medicine. Eating 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.
WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher...Composed of 92% water; it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

BANANAS: Contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial n umber of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

A banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around; so maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time!

I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit!

In the New York Times science section (July 17, 2007, page 6) it says:

"People who choose organic fruits and vegetables to avoid pesticides and other chemicals may have another reason to buy organic. A new study finds that organically grown tomatoes have higher levels of flavonoids, which may protect against cardiovascular disease."

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  Romans 12:1

Let’s present our bodies a living sacrifice by eating to the glory of God. We need to have clear minds to hear the Holy Spirit talking to us and to have healthy bodies to do His will and get the work done so we can go home to heaven!

Tomatoes

The tomato, the Italian "pomodoro," was long regarded as an unhealthy fruit. Though it began to be used in Spain and Italy, it took a long time before it could be eaten in tomato salads, sandwiches, or sauces. In fact, until the 1930s, in our grandmothers' time, it was claimed that eating a raw tomato was lethal and that it needed to be cooked for at least three hours to rid it of its harmful properties! 

Fortunately for us, tomatoes are now part of our daily diet. Biting into a juicy, freshly cut tomato, bursting with the flavors of earth and sun, is one of the greatest pleasures of summer. Tomatoes contain calcium and vitamin C, to name just two of their beneficial properties. 

A study done recently found that people in Northern Italy who ate 7 or more servings of raw tomatoes per week had up to 60 less chance of developing colon, rectal, or stomach cancers compared to individuals who ate two servings or less. There are also indications that tomatoes may play a role in prevention of heart disease, high cholesterol, and fatty deposits in the arteries. As little as two glasses of tomato juice per day can be very beneficial in preventing these problems. 

The tomato is a "vegetable-fruit" that plays an important role in a balanced diet. Low in calories, it is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals. Its acidic flavor stimulates digestion and assists in nutritional absorption - thanks to the pigments that give it its attractive red color and its content of vitamins C and E, provitamin A and other carotenes. Tomatoes also help maintain the body's acid-base balance and promote ongoing vitality. Lycopenes give tomatoes their red color. Lycopenes are bioflavonoids; antioxidants related to beta-carotene and are present in tomatoes. They are also good for prevention of prostate cancer. Eating raw tomatoes every day may reduce the risk of prostate cancer and other types of cancer, including lung, stomach, pancreatic, breast, cervical, colorectal, oral and esophageal cancers. All forms of tomato (raw, in ketchup, spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, soup, and salsa) had beneficial effect; however, tomatoes cooked in oil (such as in tomato sauce) appeared to be the most protective. Individuals from southern Mediterranean countries, including Portugal, Italy, and Greece, have a low incidence of prostate cancer. Coincidentally, in these countries, tomato consumption is high. Raw salads play a crucial role in our diet. We should have at least one raw salad a day. Raw food means life.

Disclaimer: These articles from Dr. Tony's desk are for educational purposes only and are not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. 

If you have any questions regarding the information presented, please contact:

Tony Morais, ND 

Hope for Health 

(309) 343-5853

Adapted from: Alfons Balbach and Daniel S. F. Boarim 

As Hortalicas na Medicina Natural, Edicoes 

Vida Plena, Itaquaquecetuba, SP (Poruguse), 1993 

The Truth About Kiwi

Everybody tells us that we need to eat more green foods but sometimes our children give us some resistance when it comes to the green stuff. However one green thing most children love are kiwis, even though they are green and are packed full of nutrients and antioxidants. You can feed kiwis to them every day and won't get a complaint. They are yummy plain but can be cut up in cereal, put in smoothies, and used in fruit salad.

You don't have to tell them all of the nutrition they are getting, but if you are a little curious...continue reading and find the truth about kiwis!

Kiwis are one of nature's perfect foods: low in calories, high in energy and an excellent source of antioxidants. Each one delivers a world of nutrition benefits, including:

• Vitamin C: Each serving of kiwifruit has nearly two-and-a-half times the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, proven to boost the immune system and fight the effects of stress and aging.

• No fat: Kiwifruit is fat-free, an important consideration in today's healthy diets and a rarity among foods containing so many other nutritional benefits.

• Fiber: Two kiwifruit contain more fiber than a bowl of bran cereal, the tasty way to maintain heart health, regular digestion and lower cholesterol.

• Potassium: A serving of California Kiwifruit has more potassium than a banana, ideal for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and for releasing energy during exercise.

• Antioxidants: Kiwifruit is an excellent source of antioxidants which are important in reducing your risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke.

• Low glycemic index: With a glycemic index of 52, kiwifruit is a fat-free, low-carb fruit that's safe for diabetics and a smart part of any weight-loss diet.

• Magnesium: Two kiwifruit deliver 30 mg of magnesium, which improves nerve and muscle function while boosting your energy level.

• Lutein: Kiwifruit contains the phytochemical lutein, which works to prevent age-related blindness and protect eyes from various kinds of damage.

• Folate: With nearly 10% of the recommended daily value of folate, kiwifruit is a good way to protect the health of mother and baby during pregnancy while helping prevent birth defects.

• Zinc: Men will appreciate kiwifruit's zinc content, which helps produce testosterone, while everyone can enjoy its other benefits like healthy hair, skin, teeth and nails.

• Vitamin E: Kiwifruit is one just a handful of fat-free sources of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps lower cholesterol and boost immunity.

Have you seen how kiwis grow?

What is your favorite way to eat a kiwi?

Correction

Last month I posted an article about harmful levels of Benzene that build up in parked automobiles and the warning of it. I have since learned that the information given me was false and I apologize. I will be more careful to check things out from now on. Here is the truth...

Summary of the eRumor:

A warning about a chemical called benzene that is linked to cancer such as leukemia .  The warning says that benzene can build up inside parked automobiles and suggests that drivers roll down their windows to ventilate the car's interior prior to switching on the air conditioner.

The Truth:
Benzene is a harmful chemical that can exist both inside vehicles and in the open air but warnings such as this eRumor about airing out your car interior may be overblown.

Correction
The American Chemical Society released a report in 2007 saying that the interiors of motor vehicles were found to contain of a "wide variety of synthetic materials, which emit volatile organic compounds." The investigation concluded that there was no indication of the emissions being any sort of "apparent health hazard of parked motor vehicle indoor air." Go to this link for the report:  http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es0617901

Benzene comes from coal and petroleum products and is one of the most commonly made chemicals in the United States. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet smell that evaporates when it makes contact with the air.  Benzene is present in cigarette smoke, car exhausts, and can also be found in glues and paints, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC Fact Sheet on Benzene says, "Breathing in unusually high doses of benzene can cause difficulty in thinking, changes in heart function, unconsciousness, or death. In smaller amounts over longer periods of time, benzene can also decrease the formation of blood cells. Benzene is considered to be a cancer-causing chemical."

Exposure to benzene can come from consuming contaminated food or beverages but most people come into contact with it by breathing it in the air. The CDC says, "Benzene gets into the air from forest fires, car emissions, gasoline vapors, and tobacco smoke. People who work with petroleum products, including gasoline, are exposed to benzene by touching or breathing in the chemical."

This warning might have been sparked by a report from almost decade ago by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO). In a December 19, 2001 report, the organization found "high levels of air toxic emissions in new motor vehicles for up to six months and longer after they leave the showroom." That research, however was conducted on three automobiles manufactured in Australia and one imported vehicle, the origin of which was not revealed.