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Echinacea – An Old Medicinal Plant

February 21, 2021 by Esther Neumann - [rt_reading_time label="Reading Time:" postfix="minutes" postfix_singular="minute"]

They are here again, the cold, wet days when we long for the hot summer days. And with them come colds, coughs and sore throats, the uninvited companions of the cold season. But we are not at their mercy for better or worse, we can strengthen our immune system. And if we do catch a cold, there are herbal ingredients that help us cope with it more easily. I would like to introduce you to a very pretty plant. It blooms in many of our gardens all summer long. But most of them only know it as an ornamental plant and don’t even know what kind of healing powers it contains.

Botany

Echinacea is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. It has ten species, which are commonly called coneflowers. Some species can get 4 feet high (140 cm). At the top there is a single, large daisy with a conical flower base and 12 to 15 pale pink to purple-colored ray-flowers. Coneflowers are native in North America, found in moist and dry prairies and open wooded areas. They are often cultivated in gardens for their showy flowers. There are different variations of coneflowers. The Echinacea purpurea, the red coneflower, is mainly used for healing purposes.

Historical

Echinacea is an ancient medicinal plant of the Indians. They used the fresh vegetable pulp or a root pulp for burns, snake and insect bites, poorly healing wounds and fever. The first settlers soon adopted the application as a home remedy for colds. About hundred years ago the plant migrated to Europe. Today preparations of this pretty flower are among the best-selling herbal immunostimulants. And rightly so, as many studies show.

Clinical Studies

The positive effect of Echinacea purpurea extract on the duration and the course of colds is found in numerous studies. In a controlled, double-blind study, in which neither the scientist nor the participants knew who was receiving the remedy and who the placebo, it could be shown that the application could shorten the duration of a cold; the cold symptoms were less severe. Some of the patients with symptoms of a cold were given 5 ml of Echinacea purpurea pressed juice twice a day, the other part an ineffective placebo, i.e. a product that looks the same as the drug but contains no active ingredients. Echinacea reduced the time for symptoms to subside to 6 days. In the placebo group, the duration of the cold was 9 days. The severity of symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat could also be reduced significantly.

Another study with 755 participants showed that 46% of the ecinacea group got a cold within a 4 month period, compared to 54% in the placebo group. The participants treated with echinacea were 2.06 days sick on average, compared to 2.44 days in the placebo group.((M. Javad et.al. Safety and Efficacy Profile of Echinacea purpurea to Prevent Common Cold Episodes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/841315))

In vitro, that means in cell cultures in the lab, an echinacea extract was able to inactivate various types of coronaviruses, those responsible for the common cold as well as for SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2.((J Signer et.al. In vitro virucidal activity of Echinaforce®, an Echinacea purpurea preparation, against coronaviruses, including common cold coronavirus 229E and SARS-CoV-2. Virol J. 2020 Sep 9;17(1):136. DOI: 10.1186/s12985-020-01401-2)) There seem to be no clinical trials available so far to prove the efficacy of echinacea for COVID-19, but we could conclude that it most likely will give us some protective effect against the virus.

Another advantage is that the alcohol-free preparations can be used by two-year-old children. Doctors and parents confirm that the preparations are well tolerated and significantly mitigate and shorten the ordeal of a cold in children.

A child sneezing - Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

In the literature contradicting results of the effectiveness of Echinacea are found.((M Karsch-Völk et.al. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub3)) This can be attributed to the fact that these studies were made with ill-defined products. If different species, plant parts and extraction methods are used, this leads to falsification. It also depends much on where the plant grew and how the active ingredients were extracted.

Science is still researching the exact active ingredients. Modern analytical methods have already identified a large number of ingredients, such as various essential oils, terpenes, alkamides, glycoproteins, polysaccharides and many others. But it is still not known exactly which chemical compounds are actually responsible for the known effects. It is probably just the whole plant in its diverse composition.

Mechanisms of Action

Echinacea purpurea has a phagocytosis-stimulating effect on granulocytes. Granulocytes are white blood cells. They serve to ward off microorganisms. In our case of a cold, they render the invading pathogens harmless by englobing and thus incapacitating them. The extract also increases the number of white blood cells.

The entire immune system is being fortified, increasing the body’s defenses. The formation and activity of the antibodies is stimulated. Interleukins are increasingly formed, which are communication proteins that serve to regulate the immune system. Acute-phase proteins, which also serve to ward off infection, are increasingly formed in the liver.

The number of natural killer cells is also increased. They bind to virus-infected cells and destroy them.

Echinacea products are offered as drops, ointments, gels and injection solutions. To strengthen the immune system, the drops can be swallowed on a spoonful of honey as a preventive measure during the period when the flu is suspected. If the cold has already broken out, Echinacea helps to accelerate the natural healing process in a gentle way.

An Echinacea flower - Photo by Mabel Amber from Pexels

A Healthy Immune System

Always remember that prevention is better than cure and let us strengthen our immune system. This is best done through regular sport and persistent exercise in the fresh air. Sauna sessions, alternating showers, a vitamin-rich diet and clothing that is appropriate for the season also make a significant contribution to health. Let us also try to influence our thoughts positively through contemplating beautiful things. Because a balanced mood also serves to strengthen the immune system.

If we catch a cold anyway, we have to drink a lot and ensure sufficient humidity in the air, which is often neglected during the heating season. In addition, Echinacea purpurea helps us to cope with the cold faster.

We have a special opportunity just for you. If you want to receive practical and up to date advice on how to implement an immunity-boosting lifestyle, simply join the Coronavirus Immunity Challenge and prepare yourself to face the pandemic with a bullet-proof immune system.

Coronavirus Immunity Challenge

Can Vitamin D Prevent COVID-19?

February 13, 2021 by Martin Neumann - [rt_reading_time label="Reading Time:" postfix="minutes" postfix_singular="minute"]

In the beginning of last year, I was reading the news that a Chinese hospital in Shanghai was successful in treating COVID-19 patients with high doses of vitamin C. Not much attention was given to the subject, but evidence is increasing recently that vitamin D supplementation could be crucial in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Vitamins are substances that you need to ingest with your food in order to live. They are vital to your health. Vitamin D is different. There are small amounts present in your food, but the bulk part is actually produced by your body. Your skin is able to metabolize it under sun exposure. If you do not get enough sun, then you need to supplement it, since the dietary intake is not sufficient to cover your needs.

Vitamin D is also different from other vitamins in the way it works in your body. In a certain sense, it almost works like a hormone, being able to regulate several essential body functions. It is able to bind to a receptor on the cell membrane and enter even into the nucleus, this way affecting how the genes express themselves in relation to cell function.((Vitamin D and COVID 19: The Evidence for Prevention and Treatment of Coronavirus (SARS CoV 2) Youtube)) Numerous cells have receptors for Vitamin D. This includes immune cells, an important fact for our subject of COVID-19 prevention. It was shown that vitamin D is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system.((F Sassi et.al. Vitamin D: Nutrient, Hormone, and Immunomodulator. Nutrients2018, 10(11), 1656; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111656
Xu, Y., Baylink, D.J., Chen, CS. et al. The importance of vitamin d metabolism as a potential prophylactic, immunoregulatory and neuroprotective treatment for COVID-19. J Transl Med 18, 322 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-020-02488-5))

Vitamin D and Immunity

The flu season is peaking exactly at the end of the winter, when sun exposure is limited and the Vitamin D storage is depleted. Studies have shown that children with rickets caused by Vitamin D deficiency, are also more susceptible to tuberculosis. Also, the relationship between respiratory diseases and vitamin D deficiency is well established.((H Brenner et.al. Vitamin D Insufficiency and Deficiency and Mortality from Respiratory Diseases in a Cohort of Older Adults: Potential for Limiting the Death Toll during and beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic? Nutrients 2020, 12(8), 2488; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082488
Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data. BMJ 2017; 356 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i6583
M Urashima et.al. Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 May;91(5):1255-60. DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.29094))

On average we spend only 7.6% of the day being outdoors,((N. Klepeis et.al. The National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS): a resource for assessing exposure to environmental pollutants. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology (2001) 11, 231-252)) which means our sun exposure is very limited. Living above the 35th degree of latitude you do not have sufficient Vitamin D production in the winter. That includes any location of Tennessee and above. Europe is included entirely.

Indoor Light in a Metro -
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Studies have shown that people in the age of 77 to 82 years had less than half the capacity to produce Vitamin D in the skin compared to teenagers.((J MacLaughlin, M F Holick. Aging decreases the capacity of human skin to produce vitamin D3. J Clin Invest. 1985 Oct;76(4):1536-8. DOI: 10.1172/JCI112134)) Darker skin colors have significantly less absorption of vitamin D as well.((O. M. Gutiérrez et.al. Racial differences in the relationship between vitamin D, bone mineral density, and parathyroid hormone in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Osteoporos Int. 2011 Jun; 22(6): 1745–1753. doi: 10.1007/s00198-010-1383-2))

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is therefore stored in the fat tissues, and the more fat reserves you have, the more Vitamin D you will need. For that reason, individuals with a BMI higher than 35 are more likely to be Vitamin D deficient, and larger doses will be needed for supplementation.((J Wortsman et.al. Decreased bioavailability of vitamin D in obesity. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 72, Issue 3, September 2000, Pages 690–693, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/72.3.690))

It is interesting to notice that people with higher age, dark skin color and increased BMI are having an increased risk of dying from COVID-19. Those are exactly the same risk factors for Vitamin D deficiency. Is that coincidental, or is there a causative relationship?

Vitamin D and COVID-19 Infections

Before we start, one note about unit conversion. Some countries are measuring blood levels of vitamin D in nmol/l. In the US the commonly used unit is ng/ml, and we are using this unit throughout the article. If you want to convert to nmol/l, you need to multiply those values by 2.5.

Some scientists analyzed the COVID-19 cases compared to the latitude of each country. They found out that all the countries with higher mortality rates were located above the 35th-degree latitude, thus having insufficient sun exposure in the winter.((J M Rhodes et.al. Editorial: low population mortality from COVID-19 in countries south of latitude 35 degrees North supports vitamin D as a factor determining severity. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2020 Jun;51(12):1434-1437. DOI: 10.1111/apt.15777)) Another research looked at the mean vitamin D level of each country and found that those with higher vitamin D levels had significantly lower numbers for COVID-19 cases and deaths.((P C Ilie et.al. The role of vitamin D in the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 infection and mortality. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2020 May 6 : 1–4. doi: 10.1007/s40520-020-01570-8))

In a research among elderly hospital patients was found that the mean vitamin D level of COVID-19 positive patient was 11 ng/ml compared to 21 ng/ml in the group who tested negative.((V Baktash et.al. Vitamin D status and outcomes for hospitalised older patients with COVID-19. Postgraduate Medical Journal Published Online First: 27 August 2020. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-138712)) A study in Switzerland compared the vitamin D level of hospitalized patients and found that those who were hospitalized for COVID-19 infection had significantly lower vitamin D levels than those who were tested negative for COVID-19.((A D’Avolio. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations Are Lower in Patients with Positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2. Nutrients 2020, 12(5), 1359; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051359))

That study was able to show a correlation between those two factors, but a correlation is not always causative. Some scientists found out that during an infection the serum vitamin D levels tend to drop, and stipulated the possibility that COVID-19 infection caused the vitamin D levels to drop, and not that the vitamin D deficiency has caused COVID-19.((J Smolders et.al. Letter to the Editor: Vitamin D deficiency in COVID-19: Mixing up cause and consequence. Metabolism. 2021 Feb; 115: 154434. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154434)) Although the drop in vitamin D levels could be proven, it is though very moderate, and does not fully explain the drastic difference in vitamin D levels between those two groups.

To help us establish the causative effect, there were two studies done in Israel, that checked out people who had a prior Vitamin D test on record, and they found that those who had adequate Vitamin D levels before being exposed to COVID-19 were less likely to get infected.((A Israel et.al. The link between vitamin D deficiency and Covid-19 in a large population. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.09.04.20188268)) The second study found that those who had Vitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml, were almost twice as much needing hospitalization compared to those with normal levels.((E Merzon et.al. Low plasma 25(OH) vitamin D level is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection: an Israeli population-based study. FEBS J. 2020 Sep;287(17):3693-3702. DOI: 10.1111/febs.15495)) A study in the US found that persons with vitamin D level below 25 ng/ml had twice as many COVID-19 infections compared to those above 55 ng/ml.((H W Kaufman et.al. SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates associated with circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239252))

Vitamin D for COVID-19 Treatment

Another research done in Spain went some further to find out whether vitamin D is an effective treatment option. They gave vitamin D injections to patients that were hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment. For those in the placebo group, 50% were submitted to the intensive care unit, while in the group treated with vitamin D, only 2% needed intensive care.((M E Castillo et.al. “Effect of calcifediol treatment and best available therapy versus best available therapy on intensive care unit admission and mortality among patients hospitalized for COVID-19: A pilot randomized clinical study” J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2020 Oct; 203: 105751. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105751)) This is quite a significant improvement! As a result of the study, the hospital started wheeling out COVID-19 patients in recovery to the seaside.((Coronavirus: Barcelona beach trip for recovering patients. BBC News, 3 June 2020))

In a clinical trial done in India, they gave a dose of 60.000 UI of vitamin D3 for 7 days to patients being hospitalized for COVID-19. After 3 weeks 62.5% of those who received Vitamin D were cured compared to 20.8% in the control group.((A Rastogi et.al. Short term, high-dose vitamin D supplementation for COVID-19 disease: a randomised, placebo-controlled, study (SHADE study). Postgraduate Medical Journal Published Online First: 12 November 2020. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139065)) A meta analysis concluded that vitamin D supplementation can cut COVID-19 mortality in half.((L Nikniaz et.al. The impact of vitamin D supplementation on mortality rate and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.04.21249219))

COVID-19 Emergency Hospital - Photo by CDC from Pexels

Scientists start to explain the many different mechanisms in which Vitamin D shows so much benefit in COVID-19 treatment. One major problem in severe patient is an overreaction of the immune system, leading to a cytokine storm. This exaggerated inflammatory response can cause multiple organ damage. Vitamin D seems to be capable of regulating the immune system to minimize cytokine storm in severe patients.((Xu, Y., Baylink, D.J., Chen, CS. et al. The importance of vitamin d metabolism as a potential prophylactic, immunoregulatory and neuroprotective treatment for COVID-19. J Transl Med 18, 322 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-020-02488-5))

Vitamin D Supplementation

There is no consensus on which levels of vitamin D are ideal for supplementation. In 2010 the Institue of Medicine raised the recommended daily allowance from 200UI to 600UI per day. The Endocrine Society recommends supplementation of 1500 to 2000UI per day in order to raise blood levels consistently above 30 ng/ml. They deem it safe to supplement up to 4,000 UI per day without medical supervision.((M F Holick et.al. Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency: an Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 96, Issue 7, 1 July 2011, Pages 1911–1930, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2011-0385))

Vitamin D toxicity is though very rare. The first negative side effect of high doses is increased calcium uptake, which can cause calcium deposits in the arteries and other organs. This effect is starting to be observed only in persons with Vitamin D blood levels above 150 ng/ml. Vitamin D is considered the least toxic among the fat-soluble vitamins, so there is no concern about toxicity doing a short term application of high doses of vitamin D. Some specialists like Michael Holick suggest that supplementation of up to 10.000 UI per day is perfectly safe.((„Vitamin D – State of the art“ – Dr. Michael F. Holick in Vienna (English) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuWC2d0mTbo))

It is possible to produce up to 10,000 UI of vitamin D just with a few minutes of sun exposure. This will work though only between 10 am and 3 pm, using no sunscreen and having large parts of the skin exposed to the sun. Latitude, season, age and skin color are factors that can significantly influence the amount of vitamin D production. In order to find out the ideal sun exposure for you, download the app Dminder that is found in Google Play and the App Store alike.

Now what levels of vitamin D in the blood are adequate? Here again, most recommendations are way lower than they are supposed to be. If you are below 30 ng/ml (75 nmol/l) consider yourself deficient. An ideal level for a well-functioning immune system would be between 50 and 100 ng/ml (125-250 nmol/l).

There are many who advocate a wider use of Vitamin D supplementation to help control the COVID-19 pandemic. In an initiative, 200 scientists and doctors have called on governments around the world to recommend a widespread supplementation of at least 4,000UI per day.((Over 200 Scientists & Doctors Call For Increased Vitamin D Use To Combat COVID-19. VitaminDforAll)) For those who did not do any supplementation so far, they recommend taking 10,000UI daily for 2-3 weeks in order to raise the levels, and then maintain with 4,000UI per day. Most governments that far have ignored this call, but individuals are able to do their part to protect themselves. And the message is reaching the consumers. Vitamin D supplement sales increased by more than 30% during the last year.((J Grebow. Vitamin D made headlines over COVID-19 studies last year. Sales of vitamin D were also up in 2020. What will 2021 look like? 2021 Ingredient trends to watch for food, drinks, and dietary supplements. Nutritional Outlook, February 10, 2021)) And even Dr. Fauci has stated that supplementing vitamin D may be beneficial, and takes supplements for himself.((Dr. Fauci says to take vitamin D if you’re deficient — here’s how to know. CNBC. September 26, 2020))

We have stated already that obese people need higher intakes of vitamin D, since it gets absorbed by the fat tissue. Overweight person with a BMI between 26 and 30 should take 1.5x the dose of normal weight individuals, and obese persons with a BMI above 30 should triple the dose of vitamin D supplementation. Age, should be taken into consideration as well when establishing the correct dose of supplementation. Individuals above 70 years of age should consider doubling the dose of supplementation.

It is interesting to note that High Fructose Corn Syrup which is present in soft drinks and many other industrialized foods can inactivate Vitamin D.((V Douard et.al. Excessive fructose intake causes 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-dependent inhibition of intestinal and renal calcium transport in growing rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Jun 15;304(12):E1303-13. DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00582.2012)) The same mechanism may not apply to table sugar, but an excess of any kind of sugar will reduce the effectiveness of the immune system.

Conclusion

In summary we have seen that vitamin D has a profound impact on our immune system and is essential in the prevention of COVID-19. Based on this fact, we highly recommend to test for adequate vitamin D levels, and correct with proper sun exposure or supplementation if levels are low. In questions of doubt, consult a nutritionist to define the ideal dose for you.

Although vitamin D is essential, it is by far not the only thing you can do to strengthen your immune system. We have prepared a 10 day immunity challenge that will cover several habits that are essential to keep your immunity in top shape. Participate now to find out what you can do to have maximum protection against the coronavirus that is circulating around the entire globe.

Coronavirus Immunity Challenge

Chlorophyll and Your Health

February 6, 2021 by Esther Neumann - [rt_reading_time label="Reading Time:" postfix="minutes" postfix_singular="minute"]

They have almost the same chemical formula: chlorophyll – the green plant pigment, hemoglobin – the red blood pigment in humans, and cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂), which is essential for the development of red blood cells. Isn’t that fascinating?

When I first noted the similarity of these three compounds during my study as a nutritionist, I was very excited. I thought of the networked thinking of Leonardo da Vinci. He said that nothing stands in this world alone. Everything that happens, that was discovered or invented, is related to something else, maybe even to a whole. Where was the connection with my discovery?

At first, of course, I thought of the daily diet. What was the original diet for humans? I found the answer in the book of books, the Bible. There on the first pages, God said to the first humans, Adam and Eve: “I have given you all the plants that bring forth seeds in all the earth, and all the trees with fruits that bring seeds.” Genesis 1:29 Plants were the foundation of the first diet. In Genesis 3:18 vegetables were added to the diet, which are normally rich in chlorophyll.

In order for plants to grow, they have to photosynthesize. For photosynthesis to work at all, the plant needs chlorophyll and carotenoids. They collect the light from the sun and pass it on. In addition, there are mechanisms in the leaves that prevent too much light from entering when there is very strong sunlight. Otherwise the leaves would be destroyed. But on the other hand we know ingenious facilities, so that plants growing on the forest ground in the shade of large trees can still benefit from sunlight.

Cancer Prevention

Now we know that chlorophyll is not only important for plants, but also for us humans. It inhibits in vitro, ie. in the test tube during scientific experiments, the mutagenic effect of pyrolysis products that are formed when animal products are exposed to great heat. Mutagens are substances that cause changes in the genetic make-up. If, in our case, meat is exposed to very high heat, which happens when roasting or grilling, this can result in mutagenic products. Chlorophyll can counteract this by binding these mutagens and thereby inactivating them. If you eat some grilled meat at all, you should at the same time eat a big bowl of lettuce and a good amount of bell pepper. There is a lot of chlorophyll in both.

Chlorophyll sources - Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

There are chlorophyllin supplements on the market, which consist of a modified chlorophyll, where the central atom has been replaced with copper, and some endings may be modified as well. Chlorophyllin is more stable, and unlike chlorophyll it is water soluble. This supplement has a similar effect than chlorophyll, but they are not equally effective for all applications.

In vivo, that is in living humans or animals, a cancer-inhibiting effect of chlorophyll and chlorophyllin could be demonstrated in liver cancer.((Sudakin DL. Dietary aflatoxin exposure and chemoprevention of cancer: a clinical review. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2003;41(2):195-204. DOI: 10.1081/clt-120019137
Egner PA, Munoz A, Kensler TW. Chemoprevention with chlorophyllin in individuals exposed to dietary aflatoxin. Mutat Res. 2003;523-524:209-216. DOI: 10.1016/s0027-5107(02)00337-8)) The effect of the chlorophyllin was strongest when administered simultaneously with the carcinogen (cancer-causing substance). The main carcinogen causing liver cancer is aflatoxin, a substance produced by a fungus that is present in moldy corn, peanuts or soybeans. Chlorophyll blocks the binding of carcinogens to the DNA, that contains our genetic code.((Kensler TW, Groopman JD, Roebuck BD. Use of aflatoxin adducts as intermediate endpoints to assess the efficacy of chemopreventive interventions in animals and man. Mutat Res. 1998;402(1-2):165-172. DOI: 10.1016/s0027-5107(97)00294-7
Simonich MT, Egner PA, Roebuck BD, et al. Natural chlorophyll inhibits aflatoxin B1-induced multi-organ carcinogenesis in the rat. Carcinogenesis. 2007;28(6):1294-1302. DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgm027
Breinholt V, Hendricks J, Pereira C, Arbogast D, Bailey G. Dietary chlorophyllin is a potent inhibitor of aflatoxin B1 hepatocarcinogenesis in rainbow trout. Cancer Res. 1995;55(1):57-62. Full text)) Heterocyclic amines found in cooked meat are another carcinogen that showed significant reduction when ingesting chlorophyll.((Dashwood R, Yamane S, Larsen R. Study of the forces of stabilizing complexes between chlorophylls and heterocyclic amine mutagens. Environ Mol Mutagen. 1996;27(3):211-218. DOI: 3.0.co;2-h”>10.1002/(SICI)1098-2280(1996)27:3<211::AID-EM6>3.0.CO;2-H)) Studies have found that people who eat a lot of green vegetables have lower cancer rates. This could actually be due to the anti-cancer properties of chlorophyll.

Deodorant

Chlorophyllin also has an antibacterial and deodorant effect. It is therefore found in cosmetics and personal care products. The observation that chlorophyllin had deodorizing effects on foul-smelling wounds, led clinicians to administer the substance orally to control fecal odor in patients with colostomy.((Chernomorsky SA, Segelman AB. Biological activities of chlorophyll derivatives. N J Med. 1988;85(8):669-673.)) In a study of 62 nursing home patients, the administration of chlorophyllin tablets was found to be helpful in controlling body and fecal odors. It aided also in easing chronic constipation and assisted in reducing excessive gases.((Young RW, Beregi JS, Jr. Use of chlorophyllin in the care of geriatric patients. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1980;28(1):46-47. DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1980.tb00124.x))

Wound Healing

Research in the 1940s indicated that chlorophyllin was able to slow the growth of certain bacteria and accelerate wound healing. It was since then added to ointments for the treatment of persistent open wounds.((Kephart JC. Chlorophyll derivatives – their chemistry, commercial preparation and uses. Econ Bot. 1955;9:3-38.)) Several subsequent studies using a Papain-urea-chlorophyllin ointment confirmed those findings.((Smith RG. Enzymatic debriding agents: an evaluation of the medical literature. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2008;54(8):16-34.)) In a pilot study, a chlorophyllin solution was beneficial in the treatment of acne.((T J Stephens et.al. Pilot Study of Topical Copper Chlorophyllin Complex in Subjects With Facial Acne and Large Pores. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015 Jun;14(6):589-92.))

Blood Formation

Chlorophyll has a blood-forming effect as well. Now we are into networked thinking with hemoglobin. As already mentioned, chlorophyll is a very large molecule that looks almost similar to the very large molecule of hemoglobin. In chlorophyll, the central atom around which all other atoms are built is magnesium. All green plants are therefore an excellent magnesium source. In hemoglobin, the pigment in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen, iron is the central atom.

Chlorophyll is the essential substance for the plant. Hemoglobin is essential for humans. And both are built almost identically, so they can easily be converted into one another. In fact, with chlorophyll obtained from wheat grass, anemia and leukemia can be very positively influenced. In a pilot study of patients with the blood disorder thalassemia, the requirements for blood transfusions could be significantly reduced with the application of wheat grass juice.((R.K. Marwaha et. al. Wheat Grass Juice reduces Transfusion Requirement in Patients with Thalassemia Major: A Pilot Study. Indian Pediatrics 2004;41:716-720))

hemoglobin defines the color of the blood

Sources of your blood building chlorophyll will be any form of green leaves. Especially rich sources are spinach, parsley and garden cress.((Chlorophyll and Chlorophyllin, Oregon State University)) Some other green plants have reasonable amounts, like green beans, peas, and green pepper. Eating those products on a regular basis will make the use of supplements needless.

Vitamin B12 is just as vital as hemoglobin. Without it, the red blood cells would not be able to develop properly. Cobalamin is also necessary for the functioning of the nerves, the immune system and the formation of DNA. A deficiency in vitamin B12 affects every cell in our body. By the way, the central atom in cobalamin is cobalt, hence the name.

Creative Patterns

Is it a coincidence that our Creator God built these three important molecules almost the same way? Or is He pursuing a plan? If He has given us the plants for food and they have a protective role for our body, reasonable people will eat mainly or entirely from these plants.

The whole physiology of humans, animals and plants shows to a large extent the same systems, the same enzymes, the similar structure of the cells and the same metabolic pathways. He is the creator of all three, yes of the whole universe. He networked everything. Everything He has created is in some way serving other created beings.

The more I am allowed to penetrate into the wonders of creation, and we have truly wonderful insights into both the micro and the macrocosm, the more I admire God’s imagination, his greatness and creativity. And I am grateful that I can be part of it. Although I am only a tiny part, but wonderfully precious and valuable, networked into a larger whole, where everyone is dependent on the other. And I want to fulfill my part that is meant for me. Which part is mine, that is worth thinking about.

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As You Think, So You Are

January 29, 2021 by Magna Porterfield - [rt_reading_time label="Reading Time:" postfix="minutes" postfix_singular="minute"]

Do you ever think about your thoughts? Most of us don’t. But evidence indicates that how we think can impact our feelings, our behavior, and even our bodies. If you were to one day record all of your thoughts, what would you discover? You might be surprised at what you found. What we think reveals much about who we are. This is why the wise man Solomon stated thousands of years ago that “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”(( The Bible, Proverbs 23:7, KJV.)) Professionals and laypeople alike are learning more about thoughts and their effect on how we live and who we are. Let’s look at some specific areas in our lives that are directly linked to our thinking patterns.

Thoughts and Emotions

Our emotions are directly related to how we think. When I was in private practice, my clients would frequently say that they “felt” a certain way because of what someone said or did to them or because of a certain situation or event that had occurred in their lives. Many of us have uttered statements such as “He made me feel mad” or “I felt sad because she wouldn’t do such and such.” It is true that as human beings we do have an impact on one another’s feelings. However, the idea that other people or situations “make us” feel a certain way is not completely accurate. Simply put, it is not what happens to us that controls how we feel, but our thoughts about what happens that affects our emotions.

For example: an acquaintance who typically speaks to you passes by you without acknowledgement. How you feel about this situation is not determined so much by that person’s behavior, as by what you tell yourself about his or her behavior. If you say to yourself, “I can’t believe that she didn’t speak to me!” or “Why is he ignoring me?” you are more likely to feel hurt, angry, or rejected. However, if you give the person the benefit of the doubt and choose to consider that maybe he did not see you, or perhaps she was preoccupied with something, you will be less likely to experience negative emotions.

Psychologists and other mental health professionals apply this principle with a treatment known as cognitive behavior therapy, a method that teaches individuals how to identify and replace their distorted thinking patterns with healthful ones. When we experience anger, sadness, happiness or excitement, we can ask ourselves, “What was I thinking that might have contributed to this emotion?”

Thoughts and Behavior

“Sow a thought, reap an action …..” This simple proverb accurately describes the connection between our thoughts and actions. What we tend to plant in our minds, will germinate, grow, bud, flower, and bear fruit—in word and deed! To illustrate, let’s refer back to the example just given. If we believe that the person who didn’t speak to us is ignoring us, we may choose to ignore her the next time that we see her. Or, if we decide to put the kindest construction on her actions, and consider that she may have been preoccupied or experiencing some difficulty, we may instead say a prayer for her or give her a call to see if we can be of help in any way.

A phone call to a friend - Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

The understanding that our thoughts affect our actions is also applied by those in the mental health field. For example, during the time that I worked with sexual offenders, an important part of their treatment program involved teaching them how their thoughts contributed to their acts of sexual molestation. With the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy, we would help them to identify the thoughts that had led them to commit acts of abuse, and then teach them how to replace these thoughts with more healthful ones. This principle is also used to address other psychological concerns such as depression, anxiety, and even relational issues of the marriage, family, workplace, classroom, or otherwise.

Thoughts and the Body

Consider the following: “Every time you think an angry thought, an unkind thought, a sad thought, your brain releases chemicals that make your body feel bad and activate your deep limbic system in the brain …. Think about the last time you were mad. How did your body feel? When most people are angry, their muscles become tense … the heart beats faster … hands sweat …. Your body reacts to every negative thought you have.”(( Amen, D., Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, Three Rivers Press, NY, 1998.
It should be noted that the current author does not agree with all the concepts promoted by Dr. Amen.))

This quote describes how thoughts can affect our bodies. And if they impact our bodies, then it stands to reason that they will also affect our physical health. We are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that many of the illnesses from which people suffer are related to the activity of their minds, and especially, how they think. One writer tells us that “few realize the power that the mind has over the body. A great deal of the sickness which afflicts humanity has its origin in the mind ….”(( White, E., Counsels on Health, p. 349.)) This connection is clearly seen in the area of stress. One person expressed it well when he stated that “What we think is killing us.”(( Howard, M., Seminar on “Burnout, Stress, and Fatigue.”))

In most situations, we experience stress not because of the situation or stressor itself, but because of how we react to the situation. Often times, uncontrolled stress can contribute to physical disease. A case in point is the example of a woman I knew who spent years thinking about and mulling over the death of another family member. This woman, even though she had a relatively healthful lifestyle, eventually died, perhaps prematurely, of cancer. One might wonder if her ongoing negative focus might have weakened her health. I may dare say that if she had recognized the power of her thoughts and chose to avoid negative ruminations, she might have been able to live a longer and more productive life.

The Truth of the Matter Regarding Thoughts

We are told that we “need to place a high value upon the control of our thoughts.”(( White, E., In Heavenly Places, p. 164.)) How can we do this? Psychology and other branches of mental health have made contributions in the area of thought control. But, as a psychologist myself, I must admit that the field of secular psychology offers only limited help. Any attempt that we make as mere humans to know and understand what is going on in our thought processes can only take us so far. This is because “the heart (hence, the mind) is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”(( The Bible, Jeremiah 17:9, KJV.))

In order to truly understand our thinking patterns, we must ask God to reveal this to us. And, beyond that, in order to change how we think, we need to address the root of the problem—the heart. Jesus tells us that “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”(( The Bible, Matthew 15:19, KJV.)) True, we can put forth human effort that may help us to be somewhat successful in changing our thoughts. But real, lasting change can only occur when our hearts are transformed and renewed by the Spirit of God. As did the psalmist David, we must ask God to “create in (us) a clean heart and renew a right spirit within (us).”(( The Bible, Psalm 51:10, KJV.)) If we do this, we can be assured that our thinking patterns will change for the better—from the inside out!

We are told that “many thoughts make up the unwritten history of a single day; and these thoughts have much to do with the formation of character.”(( White, E., Messages to Young People, p. 144.)) This quote reminds us that the motivation for achieving good thinking habits is not only to gain optimal mental and physical health, but to help us develop right characters for this life and the life to come. And, lest we get overwhelmed with this reality, we must remember that with God’s power, all things are possible. He will provide the strength needed to think rightly. With this in mind, we can confidently ask God to help us follow the apostle Paul’s admonition: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things.”(( The Bible, Philippians 4:8, KJV.))

This article was published originally in the Journal of Health and Healing, a publication of Wildwood Institute.

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Food for Good Mood

January 22, 2021 by Esther Neumann - [rt_reading_time label="Reading Time:" postfix="minutes" postfix_singular="minute"]

Why do we feel like chocolate when the weather is cold and cloudy, when we are lovesick or worried, but on a hot, bright summer day our mouths water when we have a crispy plate of salad in front of us? Our eating behavior is largely dependent on moods, humor and the environment. If there is such a close connection between our mind and eating behavior, is the reverse conclusion allowed that we can influence our mind and mood through our food?

A peaceful picture: a baby is suckling on the mother’s breast. First, it is wide awake and smiles blissfully at its mother. Then it becomes calmer and calmer, the eyes close. Finally it falls like a ripe apple from the tree, slipping off from the mother’s breast. It fell asleep peacefully. The baby has been pacified in the truest sense of the word. It became very quiet and fell into a comfortable sleep. Why? Of course it is full, satisfied, its needs have been met in every way. The composition of the milk also contributed to that. Scientists have found opiate-like substances in breast milk that allow babies to sleep sound and deep. It is not only in this first infant nutrition that there are substances that affect our psyche. We find them in practically all foods, be it in a positive or negative sense.

Why Do We Eat?

If we did a survey about why we eat, we would quickly see that most of the answers have nothing to do with nourishing our bodies. This reason is usually mentioned first, just rarely we eat because we are hungry, but rather to satisfy very specific needs. We eat to cultivate community, because it is fun, because of tradition, out of boredom, because it involves our senses, out of frustration, sorrow and consolation. Eating not only nourishes our body but also our soul.

Frustration Diets

There are diets that fight excess weight with fat. It is not fat that makes fat, but lots of carbohydrates, say the supporters of those low-carb diets. You want to lose weight with a lot of fat and protein, but without bread, pasta and potatoes. For the first moment, people adhere to the diet quite well, until there is such a craving for carbohydrates that you first secretly nibble on sweets and then finally openly admit that you just couldn’t make it anymore. Some who have persevered on such a diet for a long time have even become depressed and irritable. What happened?

An example of a low carb diet that is unsustainable in the long run.

Carbohydrates – Balm for the Soul

A large part of our diet usually consists of carbohydrates. Experts advise us to eat around 50-60% of the energy we consume in the form of carbohydrates. So these are potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, cereals. Carbohydrates are also found in fruits, sweets and cakes. The starch that the plants provide is an energy reserve for them. And those, in turn, are made up of glucose molecules. Why does our body need glucose to get in a good mood?

Our brain functions are controlled by neurons, that is, brain cells. In order for them to work, the brain itself produces neurotransmitters, which are messenger substances. Moods and feelings are influenced by those neurotransmitters. If the brain has a lot of the messenger substance serotonin available, the body and soul can relax. In order for the brain to be able to produce serotonin, however, it needs the right supply of building blocks from the food. The most important building block is tryptophan. This amino acid is a protein component that occurs in our daily diet.

Tryptophan gets easier into the brain the more carbohydrate-rich our food is. Insulin is the transport mechanism for tryptophan. The carbohydrates cause the blood sugar level and thus the insulin level in the blood to rise. But insulin also transports other amino acids. It preferentially binds the amino acids other than tryptophan first in order to transport them into the cells. This frees the transport mechanisms for tryptophan to enter the brain.

The more tryptophan gets into the brain, the more mood-enhancing serotonin it can make, and the better we can relax. Now we know why low-carb diets can lead to depression and cannot be sustained for a long time.

Why Chocolate is Addictive

Almost everyone knows the consolation in a box called chocolate candy. Chocolate helps with lovesickness, loneliness, deprivation of love, frustration and bad mood. And why does chocolate help? It contains all the components needed to increase our serotonin level: carbohydrates in the form of sugar, tryptophan comes from milk and fat comes from milk and cocoa beans. Just the serotonin levels from sugar are not very stable. Sugar produces dopamine as well, a neurotransmitter that is produced at the consumption of drugs, and makes sweets very addictive.

Fatty foods increase the effect of carbohydrates in transporting tryptophan to the brain. Then there are around 800 other substances in chocolate, some of which have a clear effect on our mood. When the cocoa beans ferment, amines such as phenylethylamine are formed. Our bodies produce the same substance when we are in love. On top of that, there are also opiates and morphine-like substances. One is called theobromine. It stimulates us, increases our mood, and we reach for the next piece. Neuroactive alkaloids such as were previously only known in wine and beer have also been found. So it’s no wonder that people can become addicted to chocolate and that it is so difficult for us to do without the comforter.

The Secret of the Italians

Handmade Italian Pasta - Photo by Jorge Zapata from Pexels

A diet dominated by carbohydrates, such as those found in daily pastas of the Italian cuisine, is probably a real happiness diet. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that Italians have the lowest suicide rate in Europe. Even the lighting conditions around us affect serotonin levels. Serotonin production is significantly lower in the darker months of the year, but chocolate consumption is significantly higher.

Chocolate and related things only increase our happiness for a short time. Then comes the grief, the bad conscience. Excess energy in the form of sugar and fat increases weight. Sweets, consumed in excess, crowd out other important nutrients that are just as necessary to keep us happy. If we have too much sweet treats, we are first overexcited, then fidgety, nervous, later tired, then depressed and anxious. Only the right carbohydrates bring a good mood in the long run. It’s the carbohydrates we get from rice, pasta, potatoes, and whole grains.

The good news is that there are plenty of other foods out there that can make our serotonin levels rise without us becoming addicted to them. We need to watch out for some good tryptophan sources.

Foods High in Tryptophan

The highest tryptophan sources we find in the green mung bean, in soybeans and in black-eyed pea. Consequently tofu is high in tryptophan. All nuts are good sources, especially the cashew nut. Sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds provide us tryptophan as well. How about a tofu spread with ground pumpkin seeds, well seasoned with onions, garlic and herbs?

Mung Beans- Foto by Ivar Leidus CC Wikimedia

We also find tryptophan in cereals, millet, oatmeal, quinoa and bananas. A breakfast cereal with grains, nuts, bananas and soy milk therefore provides us with plenty of tryptophan.

Vitamins and Minerals Help our Mood

In order for the tryptophan to be properly metabolized, vitamins from the B group are needed, especially B6. This occurs mainly in all types of grain. We also need folic acid to maintain our vigor and vitality. This is found in all leafy vegetables, also in fruits such as cherries, mangoes and oranges. Folic acid works together with vitamin B12 which is almost exclusively found in dairy products and meat. That is why people who do not consume animal products must pay particular attention to their vitamin B12 status. B12 deficiency can lead to depression.

But our soul also needs iron, zinc, selenium and iodine to be happy. Calcium and magnesium strengthen our nerves. Once again we see how important a varied, healthy whole food diet is. Supplements can never deliver what we find in a healthy, natural diet.

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The Metabolic Syndrome

January 15, 2021 by Esther Neumann - [rt_reading_time label="Reading Time:" postfix="minutes" postfix_singular="minute"]

Obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and increased triglycerides with simultaneously decreased HDL are the precursors of a heart attack. In the US, one third of the adult population suffer from metabolic syndrome, and in women at the age of 70 and over, the prevalence rises to about 60%((J.S.Moore et. al. Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence by Race/Ethnicity and Sex in the United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–2012. Prev Chronic Dis 2017;14:160287. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd14.160287)). Even in the so-called developing countries, obesity continues to play a greater role. For this reason, the World Health Organization is particularly concerned with the problem of metabolic syndrome.

Definition of Terms

The metabolic syndrome is a complex metabolic disorder, the main symptom of which is insulin resistance. This is an insufficient response of the muscle, fat and liver cells to the action of insulin. That means the pancreas produces enough insulin, but the cells don’t respond well enough. In 1999 the WHO suggested the following parameters to be diagnosed for metabolic syndrome: Being diabetic or having glucose intolerance/insulin resistance, together with 2 of the following factors:((R M Parikh, V Mohan. Changing definitions of metabolic syndrome. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Jan-Feb; 16(1): 7–12. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.91175))

Abdominal obesity with a waist/hip ration of above 0,9 in men and over 0,85 in women or Body Mass Index over 30 kg/m²
Elevated triglyceride levels above 150 mg/dl; decreased HDL, men below 35 mg/dl and women below 39 mg/dl
Elevated blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg
urinary albumin excretion rate above 20 μg/minute

Causes of Metabolic Syndrome

In recent years there has been increased research into genetic factors. The body composition, the type of muscle fibers and their blood flow, and the hormone and enzyme levels play an important role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. But the problem is only triggered by a faulty lifestyle on the part of the person himself. Alcohol, smoking and stress are important triggers, but also improper nutrition and, above all, a lack of exercise. For these reasons, we also speak of the prosperity syndrome.

As the name suggests, the syndrome involves mainly metabolic diseases such as obesity (severe overweight), diabetes, high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders and disorders of lipid metabolism. This results in organ damage such as arterial occlusive diseases, coronary heart diseases, strokes, or colloquially called hardened arteries.

Obesity

According to the WHO, obesity is already a pandemic. It is the leading cause of high blood pressure and diabetes. The absolute weight plays less of a role, but more the fat distribution. The belly fat causes much more problems than the fat on the thighs and hips. Excess fat does not just stay quiet until a fat reserve is needed. Instead, fat tissue is considered a hormonal organ. Many different substances, similar to hormones, are released from the fat cells. These in turn influence blood clotting, insulin resistance, high blood pressure and control energy expenditure, to name but a few.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Physical inactivity is a risk factor by itself. Modern technology relieves us of a lot of activities that used to be mandatory. This ranges from remote controls to electronic typewriters to cars and escalators. Many professions today are sedentary and many leisure activities are carried out while sitting. Exercise falls by the wayside, just we would urgently need it to reduce our belly fat. Fortunately, the times of famine, for which a certain fat reserve would be beneficial, are not coming at the moment. Every now and then, a fasting day or skipping dinner days should be inserted – a programmed time of famine – in order to reduce excess body fat.

Increased Lipid Levels

Elevated triglycerides are often hereditary. But diet also plays an important role. If we eat high-fat, there will be lots of triglycerides circulating in the blood. Excess carbohydrates are also converted into fat in order to be stored, and insulin is needed for this process. A high-calorie diet paves the way for Diabetes.

Fortunately, there are some foods that can lower triglycerides. These include: soybeans, legumes, avocado, onion, wheat germ, and whole grains. We should incorporate several of these foods into our daily diet. Most of them help lower blood pressure at the same time. In addition, they do not contain cholesterol and even help to lower it, since we should keep cholesterol levels low.

Cholesterol is essential for life. That is why the body produces it itself. Without cholesterol, life would be bland, because it is the starting substance for sex hormones, as well as bile acid, aldosterone and cortisol. But the amount needed is very little, and any cholesterol in the diet will lead to excess. Here, too, there are foods that help to lower the cholesterol level: They are mainly nuts, avocados, flaxseed and chia, but also all fruits and vegetables.

LDL transports cholesterol to the body cells. We are used to call LDL the bad cholesterol. It’s just the taxi for the cholesterol. It only becomes dangerous when it oxidizes, i.e. reacts with oxygen and deposits as plaques in the vessel walls. This can be avoided by reducing oxidized cholesterol in the diet, not smoking, building up as little stress as possible and eating a lot of fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants, which are protecting the LDL from oxidation.

Decreased HDL

Most Metabolic Syndrome patients have low HDL levels. However, high values protect the blood vessels. HDL is the taxi for cholesterol back to the liver when it is not needed in the cells. We can increase the HDL levels by plenty of exercise. People who do regular exercise have higher levels.

High Blood Pressure

About 40% of overweight people also have high blood pressure. No wonder, because for every additional pound of fat, an extra mile of new blood vessels have to be created (3,5 km for every kg of fat). The heart therefore has to work harder. Smoking and drinking coffee, black and green tea also narrow the vessels and should be avoided. Apples, pears, grapefruits, pumpkin and celery all help lower blood pressure. They have hardly any sodium, but a lot of potassium. These two minerals are primarily that regulate blood pressure. Sausage, cheese, ham and cured meat are high in sodium, which increases blood pressure. Therefore we should avoid these foods.

Elevated Blood Sugar

This cause of Metabolic Syndrome can also be hereditary. But the trigger is again lifestyle. Lack of exercise, obesity and a high fat diet promote the development of diabetes. The resulting damage of diabetes can be very serious: blindness, kidney failure, amputation of legs and cardiovascular disease.

Diabetes test - Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels

What can you do? Here weight reduction is again called for, through exercise and a sensible diet. Olive or canola oil are positive fat sources, as well as nuts and seeds. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains provide a lot of fiber, fill you up and help that the sugar from food flows more slowly into the bloodstream.

Drug Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome

Unfortunately, the Metabolic Syndrome delivers a whole package of metabolic disorders. The drug treatment is accordingly, and one or more drugs for each of the problems are applied. And quickly you have gathered half a pharmacy. The doctor will prescribe all essential drugs for treating the disorders. Unfortunately, a doctor rarely has time for lifestyle advice or has little experience with proper nutrition.

The far more sensible way would be a change in lifestyle and diet, as has been listed under the individual points above.

Hope on the Horizon

A group of doctors who study the Metabolic Syndrome in great detail give hope: “The Metabolic Syndrome can be treated quite effectively. If obese people having Metabolic Syndrome lose significant weight, the metabolic disorder has disappeared in most of them. Almost everyone can reduce their medication or stop it altogether.”

I would also like to encourage in this direction. Metabolic Syndrome patients need to find a way to get more exercise. Support Groups can help. If there isn’t one around, why not start one yourself? Diet and lifestyle courses bring help. Lifestyle changes are therefore undertakings in the right direction – and success is certain!

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