Antacid Medications Can Be Dangerous

Antacid medications cause an increased risk of hospitalization for low blood magnesium.

Tums and Rolaids are some the most popular over-the-counter antacids on the market. It is used to treat the symptoms of too much stomach acid such as stomach upset, heartburn, and acid indigestion. It is also used to relieve symptoms of extras gas such as belching, bloating, and feeling of pressure and discomfort in the stomach region. Pathetically, Tums states that it contains calcium, which "is good for you." Sadly, it's a marketing technique and the ignorant bought into it, including medical doctors. Millions are spent with advertising these dangerous options for indigestion. And, millions suffer consequences needlessly.
 
More than 50% of Americans are magnesium deficient, and this applies to half the population on proton pump inhibitors. Magnesium plays a key role in more than 350 enzymes and is involved in virtually every metabolic process occurring in the body.

How do you determine if a patient is magnesium deficient? A simple blood test for serum magnesium is not the answer. Serum magnesium represents only 1% of magnesium stores. RBC magnesium is definitely a better indicator and the most accurate test we have. This test can be done by most labs and all functional medicine labs.

There are approximately 145 million prescriptions for PPI dispensed in the US each year for acid-related disorders such as dyspepsia and GERD. Millions more are over-the-counter. These medications are widely regarded as safe, yet many adverse effects have been noted. The theory is that this is caused by impaired intestinal absorption of magnesium. When severe, hypo-magnesemia is dangerous and can be associated with arrhythmias, muscle dysfunction and seizures. I like to call it a "mal-absorption syndrome," which mean you are starving your body. Why? Little to no digestion can occur with an antacid regime.

The side effects of antacids are ominous. The include causing dose-dependent rebound hyper-acidity and milk-alkali syndrome; antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide may cause constipation, aluminum-intoxication, osteomalacia, and hypophosphatemia; antacids that contain magnesium have a laxative effect that may cause diarrhea, and can reduce the ability of the kidneys to eliminate magnesium from the body in the urine.

Proton pump inhibitors may not be the solution. Natural treatments offer a more effective approach than what is provided by proton pump inhibitors.

Some nutritional options to consider that improve digestive function are probiotics and glutamine. In addition, deglycyrrhiizinated licorice (DGL) helps relax the esophageal sphincter; it is soothing and protecting to the gastric mucosa and mucous membranes lining the digestive tract.

These natural solutions offer a more effective approach than what is provided by proton pump inhibitors. Proton pump inhibitors can induce several nutrient deficiencies in calcium, potassium and magnesium. In addition, they can cause serious neuromuscular and cardiovascular problems and may increase the chance of hip fracture in people over 50 years of age.

Poor Choice For Pain

Acetaminophen belongs to a class of drugs called analgesics (pain relievers) and fever reducers. Ironically, the exact mechanism of action of acetaminophen is not known. It's stated that it reduces the production of prostaglandins (chemicals that cause inflammation and swelling) in the brain.
Acetaminophen is an ineffective and poor choice for short term pain relief of low back pain, knee pain, hip pain and osteoarthritis pain.

Acetaminophen is in the same class as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Codeine, Tramadol, and Hydrocodone. Of great concern it the fact that it is the most popular pain reliever in the U.S., accounting for an estimated more than 27 billion annual doses. With more than 100,000 hospital visits a year by users, it's also the most likely to be taken inappropriately. In fact, improper use, coupled with the drug's narrow safety margin, means "a large fraction of users are close to a toxic dose in the ordinary course of use," according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Let's ignore the safety issues and look at the facts. Is acetaminophen an effective pain reliever in the first place? Not for low back pain and pain attributable to knee and/or hip osteoarthritis, conclude the authors of a recent meta-analysis.

The published review of 13 randomized trials has yielded "high quality evidence" that paracetamol (acetaminophen) does not reduce pain intensity or disability, and does not improve the quality of life, in the short term for people experiencing low back pain, and provides only "minimal, short term benefit" for people suffering from hip or knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, stating that "the small effects ... are not likely to be meaningful for clinicians or patients."

Back to the safety issues surrounding acetaminophen, which the meta-analysis did little to dilute. According to the review researchers, "high quality" evidence suggests paracetamol use results in a fourfold risk of an abnormal liver function test. Not surprising, since acetaminophen misuse (overdose) is now the most common cause of acute liver failure (exceeding all other medications combined) and the second most common cause of liver failure requiring transplantation.

In fact, the FDA has mandated that all acetaminophen containing prescription products feature a "black box" warning (the administration's strongest safety statement) noting an overdose can cause liver failure and even death; and have been urged to place similar language on OTC acetaminophen products.

Take care of your wonderful body, and it will take care of you. And, think of it this way;

"You don't need drugs. Get high on life with an overdose of you!"

Combatting Cold Sores

Cold sores…those red, painful lesions that perpetually encroach upon the area surrounding the mouth. They spoil date night, ruin the complexion, and are a source of embarrassment and frustration. Also known as fever blisters, these persistent sores are simply an external representation of an internal viral infection. Cold sores are the most common manifestation of a herpes simplex labialis infection – the most prevalent type of herpes simplex virus.

Once infected with any form of the herpes simplex virus, a lifelong infection is established and symptoms occur according to the reproductive cycle of the virus. After the initial infection, the herpes virus migrates to sensory nerve ganglia, where it resides indefinitely. The infected individual remains asymptomatic during this quiet, remission period. However, it is during this time that asymptomatic shedding of the virus occurs and transmission upon contact is possible. Localized lesions that identify the specific type of herpes infection – cold sores, for example – flare up when the latent virus begins to reproduce and create red, swollen vesicles that leak a highly contagious fluid possessing active viral particles. The lesions eventually form scabs and enter the remission period once again. Current treatment protocols for the herpes virus utilize anti-inflammatories to reduce lesion size and antiviral monotherapy to inhibit viral replication, but they have yet to be successful at significantly reducing the duration or severity of recurrence. Currently, it is well known that the herpes simplex virus is more likely to reactivate when the immune system is depressed. Deficiencies in innate immunity lead to uncontrolled relapses in humans already infected with herpes simplex virus. Considering the influential role of immunity in relapses, perhaps a better treatment approach should focus on supporting the immune system and its potential ability to let this sleeping virus lie.

Herbal Support
Scientific research and numerous clinical studies provide a substantial amount of evidence supporting the usage of various botanicals for improving immunity, especially during a viral assault. Echinacea is particularly adept at enhancing the antiviral activities of the immune system. It can upregulate gene expression of various immune cells, stimulate phagocytosis, and suppress the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In addition to its immune-modulating abilities, standardized preparations of the aerial parts and roots of echinacea show potent virucidal activity against the herpes simplex virus when in contact with the direct virus, either prior to cell entry or during asymptomatic shedding.

Astragalus, a close companion to echinacea, shares the ability to modulate and support the immune system, especially when a viral attack is at hand. A recent study discovered that this amazing botanical was able to protect astrocytes from herpes simplex virus through a multitude of mechanisms involving increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and interleukin-6, and activation of nuclear factor-?B (NF-?B). In this way, astrocytes were able to grow and proliferate in a normal manner. Infection with herpes simplex virus attenuates the growth and proliferation of cells, but in the presence of astragalus polysaccharide, normal growth and proliferation was promoted.

Mushroom extract provides another source of immune support and virucidal activity. An isolated proteoglycan of Reishi mushrooms was found to inhibit viral replication and hence, the death of cells infected with herpes simplex virus. Similarly, a protein from Maitake mushrooms was shown to inactivate and inhibit replication of herpes simplex virus in a dose-dependent manner. Other mushrooms, including the Chaga medicinal mushroom and the almond mushroom, have been studied for their antiherpetic and antiviral properties.

Relapse and remission may be the targeted outcome for individuals already infected with herpes simplex virus, but prevention in non-infected individuals should be an equally sought after goal. Botanicals have not only been shown to aid remission, but they also help provide assistance with prevention. Monocaprin and lauric acid, two superior fatty acids found in coconut oil, were tested for their ability to reduce large numbers of herpes simplex virus in a short amount of time. Results showed a greater than 100,000-fold reduction in virus titer within 1 minute, at a concentration of 20mM. This significant outcome provides valuable insight into the usage of these two compounds as preventative agents.

While Western medicine continues its search for effective antiviral medications, nature appears to provide us with an array of synergistic botanicals that not only support and assist the immune system in its fight against persistent viral attacks, but also shows promise for prevention against infection.

Real Friends vs Fake Friends

I reviewed this article years ago and thought it fit today's society of people and relationships. In a world where bullying is running rampant and betrayal and deceit is commonplace, it should not be surprising to learn that kids can be surrounded by mean girls and boys, and even fake friends.

Fake friends are phonies that use others to meet their needs. They also tend to bully and be part of cliques. Likewise, fake friends are one-dimensional and care only about themselves. For this reason, it’s important that kids learn how to distinguish between real friends and fake ones, because being associated with a fake friend often results in being bullied.

Why Do People Bully
Here is a list of characteristics to review with your kids. If their friends have these characteristics, then they are likely fake friends. And, it might be time to start building some new relationships.

“Fake friends are selfish.” Typically, a fake friend will only call your child when they want or need something. Rarely, will they call for other reasons. Be sure your child knows that if a friend is not calling to check in or just to chat, then that person is not really a friend at all.

“Fake friends thrive on gossip and drama.” Stress to your kids that if someone enjoys gossiping about others, then they may be gossiping behind their backs as well. Gossiping and spreading rumors has serious consequences and is at the base of relational aggression and other types of bullying. Be sure your kids know that they should avoid friendships with people who thrive on gossip.

“Fake friends require you to pretend.” The hallmark of a healthy friendship is that you can be yourself. If your children feel like they have to wear a mask or can’t be authentic, then that is the sign of a fake friend. In other words, if your child has to talk or dress differently in order to fit in, then those people are not true friends. They are probably part of a clique instead of a group of friends. Fake friends also resort to peer pressure, which often leads to bullying, ostracizing and other forms of relational aggression.

“Fake friends lie.” Many times, fake friends do not feel good about who they are so they lie about their accomplishments, their grades, their clothes, their possessions – anything to make themselves look better. And if they lie about themselves, they will lie about your child too. Be sure your child knows that if they catch a friend in multiple lies, it’s probably not a healthy friendship.

“Fake friends are critical.” If their friends are constantly criticizing them, it is time to take a closer look at the friendship. Real friends are supportive and encouraging, but fake friends often criticize. Girls in particular are guilty of being critical about weight or weight bullying. This type of bullying is particularly dangerous because it can lead to eating disorders or even self-harming behavior.

“Fake friends are not happy when you succeed.” If your kids’ friends have something insulting to say every time time they succeed, then they are not real friends. Real friends celebrate one another’s accomplishments.

“Fake friends are not trustworthy.” Usually, good friends will keep one another’s secrets. In other words, real friends don’t tell the world who your child is crushing on. If your child’s friends are always spilling the beans, then it’s time to start considering that the friend is a bully.

“Fake friends rarely have your back.” Real friends will stick up for one another, especially when faced with bullying. Meanwhile, a fake friend will either be a quiet bystander to the bullying or may even take part in the bullying to avoid becoming the next victim of bullying. If this is a regular occurrence, your child should consider either talking with the friend about being passive or start looking for another group of friends.

It's healthy to have real friends, but only those that are unconditionally supportive and genuine.

"They are not your friends UNTIL they have defended you in your absence."

The Art of Living

The art of living is good to knowledge. We eat to live, but we do not live to eat. However, some people seem to consider it otherwise. Then obesity is created and soon observed.

When you see anyone at least 100 pounds too heavy, it is a pretty good guess that they enjoy eating and that they eat much too much. Keep in mind that 30 is considered morbidly obese with your BMI - again only 30. That piece of information is from the American Medical Association.

Morbid obesity is a serious health condition that can interfere with basic physical functions such as breathing or walking. Those who are morbidly obese are at greater risk for illnesses including diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, GERD, gallstones, osteoarthritis, heart disease, and even cancer.

Morbid obesity is diagnosed by determining Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is defined by the ration of an individual's height to his or her weight. Normal BMI ranges from 20-25. An individual is considered morbidly obese if he or she is 100 pounds over his/her ideal body weight, has a BMI of 40 or more, or 35 or more and experiencing obesity-related health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

The heavier you are the more energy is required to maintain your size and shape, and naturally you must consume more food to maintain your overweight. Under such conditions, it is a good idea to join a weight watcher club. The strange part of it is, however, that those who should eat less usually eat more and defeat the basic idea.

People in my practice use every excuse in the book; from having big bones, to menopause, to DNA and even blaming it on stress (which is a good fat builder). Excuses will only provide an unhealthy life. By choosing to be obese, one must understand that a healthy lifestyle will certainly be shortened.

"The devil has put a penalty on all things we enjoy in life. Either we suffer in health or we suffer in soul, or we get fat." - Albert Einstein

Time Is Now

The time in now. What are you doing with it? Are you merely turning a page in your calendar? Are you adding another year to your age? Are you counting the time when you can retire and have nothing to do, or the time when you will be able to take a long, coveted vacation?

Time means many things to many people. some look forward to a time when they can do some desired project like remodeling a work of art that has been dormant in their mind, or even writing that memoir of their life.

Then again you may be a person who frets about wasted time, a person who is punctual, always on time, or perhaps a little ahead of time, are are vexed then others are late for appointments. This conduct throws you off schedule, thus wasting your life and theirs to no good end.

Then there are those who keep putting things off, waiting until tomorrow or some other time and thus getting nowhere. Why are people like that, you wonder? Again, this keeps you worrying about things left undone.

Time is now. Everyone has the same allotted time, no more and no less. Use this time well, use it wisely and you can accomplish much. Waste time and you may never have another chance.

Longfellow said; "Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime, and departing, leave behind us footprints in the sands of time."

That is true, and makes for a good figure of speech, but how much value have footprints on sand when the first strong wind will blot them out?

Time is precious to creative art. Ideas are the key to accomplishment. Time is now and ideas unused soon become obscure. If you have something worth doing, do it now. Employ time as you should when opportunity knocks. Act on the idea and it is yours from now on. Leave it undone and so it will remain, for that is a low of life. You get but one chance .... that moment will never exist again.

You may protest that ill health is your problem. How can you accomplish the greater things in life when dis-ease has knocked at you door or when a headache is pounding in your head? The spine is also the key to the nervous system which likewise is the key to your health.

Take care of yourself and in due time normal function is restored, thus opening the way to health and more more fulfilling life.

"Fill you mind with forgiveness, faith, and love and you will radiate blessings like the sky above."

Memorial Day

Contemporary times reveal many folks believing that Memorial Day to be the unofficial start of the summer season. So many families and friends will barbecue, retreat to the beach or that mini vacation to the lake. However, Memorial Day utilizes the word "memorial" in it for a valid reason.

The "holiday" got started on May 30, 1868, when Union General John A. Logan declared the day an occasion to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers. Twenty years later, the name was changed to Memorial Day. On May 11, 1950, Congress passed a resolution requesting that the President issue a proclamation calling on Americans to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. President Richard M. Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971. Memorial Day is now observed on the last Monday of May. It is an occasion to honor the men and women who died in all wars.

It is now customary to mark Memorial Day by visiting graveyards and war monuments. Going to your local Memorial Day celebration is a grateful gesture, and much appreciated by living veterans, and the families who have lost loved ones.

Some ways you can honor the men and women who serve our country:

- Put flags or flowers on the graves of men and women who served in wars.

- Fly the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon.

- Visit monuments dedicated to soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines.

- Participate in a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.

Remember that we have a summer of freedom because of those who gave all.....

My Memorial Day video featuring Trace Adkins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCQNrlqH4gQ