7-30-2000
Hello Readers,
Welcome to another issue of the Herbagram. I hope this issue finds you
all well and in good spirits. Here at Bowtech for Health, Inc we are dedicated to
putting out information that we believe people want to know as well as
need to know. If you have any subject relating to health that you would
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even look at a difference of opinion. Learning is what this is all about.
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information contained herein is meant for educational purposes. It is not
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CONTENTS
Osteoporosis
Notes of Interest
C-X
OSTEOPOROSIS
THE FACTS
Osteoporosis Defined: A progressive decrease in the density of bones
that weakens them and makes them more likely to fracture.
Osteoporosis (deteriorating bone mass) is caused by a lack of calcium
and phosphorus as well as many other minerals. The body must be able to
produce several hormones, such as parathyroid hormone, growth hormone,
calcitonin (a hormone made in the thyroid gland that controls the levels
of calcium and phosphorus in the blood and to start the making of bones),
estrogen in women, and testosterone in men in order to maintain bone
density. Bones in the human body progressively increase in density up
until about the age of 30. This is when bone density is at its peak. After
30 the bones gradually decrease in density and if the body can't regulate
or keep the mineral content of bones in balance they become denser and
more fragile. This is the condition we know as osteoporosis. We will look
at some of the different reasons that deficiencies in calcium or other
factors can have such an impact on the body.
Lack of Calcium in diet. Some figure that the answer to this
problem is to drink milk. Well, let's look at two of the largest and most
bone dense animals on the earth. One is an elephant and the other is a
cow. Neither of these animals consumes milk after they are weaned. They
both receive their calcium from vegetation, just as we should.
Poor Digestion. Calcium is the largest and most difficult
molecule to digest. We need to have at least a pH balance of 1.7 acid in
the stomach to be able to digest calcium. If you are depending on
"TUMS" for your source of calcium you are only going to
contribute to your heel spurs, gall or kidney stones. An adequate supply
of vitamin D must also be present for the proper absorption of calcium.
Heel spurs, calcium gall, or kidney stones are formed by the body when
calcium is introduced to the body with conditions that makes it impossible
for the body to break it down small enough for the body to use.
Poor Utilization. The human body needs magnesium and vitamin D
with the calcium for the body to be able to utilize it. Vegetables
naturally contain (in the proper ratio) all nutrients that are needed to
utilize all of its components. As a matter of fact, vegetables are our
best source.
A Poor source of calcium is Oyster shells for example. How many people
see
cows chewing on oyster shells? They were
meant to house oysters not to feed man. For those who worry about
conflicting advertising, which reports that women who didn't consume milk
but were vegetarians have 7% bone loss while their milk drinking, meat
eating counterparts had a 35% bone loss.
Lack of exercise. But what is the best kind of exercise? When
astronauts went into space for a few short weeks, they returned to earth
after being weightless with a marked amount of bone mass loss. (Sometimes
up to 40%) After looking at all type of exercise NASA determined that the
acceleration and deceleration of a trampoline did the most for the body's
replacing of bone mass.
Stress on the bones through exercise causes the body to increase mass
to
accommodate the need for extra strength
similar to when the skin use is increased and the body accommodates the
skin's need for added protection by developing calluses.
Too much protein. For over 30 years science has known that the
human adult
body should only consume 1.5 oz
of protein anything more that that contributes to osteoporosis because the
body can not store excess protein. Therefore, the kidneys have to excrete
the rest through urine. Since protein is broken down into the amino acids
the kidney in protecting the urinary system needs to buffer the acids with
calcium, which is then drawn from the bones.
Alcohol, caffeine, cola and chocolate deplete the blood's reserve of
calcium, which if it is not replenished can be fatal. The body then seeps
calcium from the bones.
Estrogen / Progesterone balance. Estrogen is needed by the body to
add bone cells to the body's structure. Progesterone is needed to clean
out the old bone cells. Not enough estrogen and the body can't add to the
bones. Not enough progesterone and the body can't clean out the old cells,
which can make the bones brittle.
If you know which you are lacking then you can add an herbal estrogen
or progesterone substitute to your diet. If you are not sure I suggest the
C-X combination which contains both.
Prescription drugs. Many drugs decrease bone mass.
Anti-inflammatory
drugs weaken lower back and
hip joints.
Gastrectomy. When any part of the intestinal system is removed it
effects
the body's ability to absorb calcium.
Probable Emotional Cause. Feeling like there is no support left
in life
Healing Affirmation: I stand up for myself and life supports me in
unexpected, loving ways.
Many natural health professionals suggest a daily ingestion 1500 mg of
calcium. Women of childbearing age have an increased need of Ca because
the blood in the uterus is high in calcium for the preparation of a
growing fetus, which is made mostly of calcium. Every month that amount of
calcium is lost.
SYMPTOMS OF CALCIUM DEFICIENCIES ARE:
Headaches around menstruation, irritability, nervousness, insomnia,
irregular heartbeat, cramps in the feet or legs and poor blood clotting.
Experts agree that an estimate 40% of all women will experience at
least
some degree of osteoporosis even if
they can't agree on the cause.
Personally, I think that it is a combination of all the above factors.
Asking someone the cause of ill health is like asking the ingredient to a
cake, some will say flour, others will say eggs or sugar, I say it takes
all of the above to make a cake and all of the above to insure warding off
osteoporosis.
Supplements historically used for Osteoporosis:
Vitamins & Minerals:
Skeletal
Strength - This is a chelated form of calcium and magnesium. 3 mg of boron
taken separately needed for absorption. Or Scala's Cal. & Mag. With
boron.
PDA
Combination - This is an enzyme formula designed to aid in the digestion of
proteins. Proper digestion is important for all minerals.
Magnesium - should be taken separately
Single Herbs:
Horsetail
- this herb has the highest organic form of silica.
Oat Straw Tea - 3 cups daily - silica
*Sarsaparilla or
Wild Yam - for men or women respectively
Herbal Combinations:
Thyroid
Activator - This is a Dr. John Christopher formula for the Parathyroid
and should be used in conjunction with an organic source of Iodine such as
kelp or black walnut in order to work most efficiently.
C-X - another Dr. Christopher formula for use by women for estrogen
replacement or use.
KB-C - This is a Chinese remedy for bones and calcium.
Diet:
No red meat, soft drinks, acid fruits, coffee.
Plenty of green vegetables, sunshine, nuts, seeds, salmon. (Scientists
at Stanford University found a hormone in salmon that may slow
osteoporosis).
If you are a coffee drinker - for every two cups of coffee you drink,
supplementing with 250mg of magnesium and calcium are recommended if you
continue to drink coffee.
Sources:
Mary's Herbs - Patton, PA
Merck Manual of Medical Information (Pocket Books Division of Simon &
Schuster, Inc. 1997).
The Mosby Medical Encyclopedia (Penguin Books USA Inc.: New York, New York
1985).
Health Education Library Publications - League City, Texas
School of Natural Healing by Dr. John R. Christopher (Christopher
Publications, Inc. Springville, Utah 1996).
Heal Your Body by Louise L. Hay (Hay House, Inc.: Carlsbad, California,
1984)
Notes of Interest
A recent study found that gardening at least once a week could help
combat the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis. The study looked at
bone-mass measurements in 3, 310 women age 50 and older and at how often
they performed yard work, calisthenics, cycling, jogging, walking, and
weightlifting. The results? Regular yard work - digging, mowing, weeding,
raking - and weight-training "are the optimal choices for maintaining
bone density," says lead researcher Lori Turner, Ph.D., R.D.,
assistant professor of health sciences at the University of Arkansas.
"Dig in, Bone up" by Elizabeth Phillips in New Age
magazine, July/August 2000.
Like cantaloupes and other orange fruits, mangoes are an excellent
source of beta-carotene. An 8 ounce mango provides almost twice the RDA of
vitamin A through beta-carotene and almost 100% of the RDA for vitamin C.
Though they are messy to eat, they are well worth the effort, and provide
healthy amounts of vitamin E, niacin, potassium, iron, and pectin fiber as
well.
"Everything but Dessert" as found in New Age magazine,
July/August 2000.
Men account for 20% of Americans with osteoporosis.
One out of three men will die in the year
following an osteoporosis-related hip fracture.
"Research Roundup" as found in Health and Healing, Volume
10, No. 6, June 2000.
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C-X
Female Tonic for Menopause
C-X is a
combination containing constituents that help the overall well being of
the female reproductive system. It is especially useful for menopausal
related problems and aids in the balance of female and male hormones. C-X
acts as an adaptagenic (aids in stress management), aphrodisiac, hormonal
(female and male), and emmenagogue (agent that stimulates menstruation).
This combination has been used to help acne caused by overactive hormones
and also aid in low estrogen levels, fatigue, hot flashes, infertility
(female), impotency, menstrual cramping, mood swings, and osteoporosis.
The following herbs make important contributions to the C-X combination.
Black Cohosh root was mainly used for gynecological problems and
childbirth by Native American women. It aids menstrual discomfort by
having an estrogen-like effect on the body. Black Cohosh is also an
anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic herb, so it reduces cramping and pain.
It has proven effective for many women in easing the symptoms of
menopause.
Squaw Vine was traditionally used by Native American women to
facilitate childbirth. Modern studies demonstrate that this bitter herb
can harmonize pregnancy, restore the uterus, and aid in labor by promoting
contractions and comforting delivery. It can also help in the menstruation
process by stimulating the kidneys and promoting urination.
Licorice has been called the "sweet root" and has been
one of China's most famous healing herbs for more than 5,000 years. North
American colonists observed the Indians using licorice to relieve cough,
as a laxative, earache treatment, and a flavor enhancer. The root also has
beneficial qualities for women's reproductive systems due to its estrogen
like activity. In studies, licorice root extract returned normal function
to women who were unable to ovulate.
Blessed Thistle was considered an all healing herb in the 1500s.
It helps with the menstruation process by relieving pain and other
discomforts associated with the monthly cycle. Women have also reported
the herb helped them during pregnancy and delivery.
Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) has been used in Russian folkloric medicine for
centuries. It has been employed as an anti-inflammatory, a restorer of
concentration and memory, and as a cure for stress, depression, and
fatigue. It has also been shown to aid impotency, male infertility,
prostate problems and sex drive.
False Unicorn, also named "Devil's Bit," was used by
certain Native American tribes as a cure-all. Today, many midwives use the
herb to help prevent miscarriage. It also aids I female infertility
problems, lack of desire and menstrual difficulties. It acts as an
emmenagogue, tonic, diuretic, emetic, parasiticide and stimulant.
Sarsaparilla: This root of a vine was one of the most common
treatments for syphilis during the 19th century. However,
scientists today say it has no beneficial properties against syphilis, but
it has been shown to have some diuretic benefits and aid in premenstrual
bloating. It is a blood purifier, helping to support the liver and cleanse
the system.
Dosage: Take two capsules with meals three times daily.
