The Healthy Choices Wellblog

If you have herpes, should you avoid arginine?

Forum for those with Cerebral Palsy

I just came across this forum that has been started, specifically for people with cerebral palsy, who want to connect with others who have this health challenge. In addition to other resources with good cerebral palsy information, this forum may provide a more personal space for communication, sharing and support. It is a patient-to-patient forum, which means you’ll be talking with other people who have the condition and can ask about treatments, how to handle the special challenges of a child with CP and more.

When I visited the cerebral palsy forum, new posts addressed Static Encephalopathy, CP and Multiple Sclerosis, paralisis cerebral and melanomalasia.

Topics listed as being appropriate for discussion on the forum include equipment such as walkers, orthotics and wheelchairs, treatments including oxygen therapy, biofeedback and suit therapy, and posts regarding financial issues, insurance issues, etc.

Looks like a good place for getting some real cerebral palsy information from real people who either have cerebral palsy or have a child who has it.

For those with a New Year’s Resolution to Lose Weight
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

I am providing some information on a weight loss product from a company I respect, called Vaxa Nutraceuticals, for those who might be wanting to lose a few pounds for the new year.

Växa uses Bioperine® in the advanced weight loss product B-T Plus. B-T Plus gives you long- lasting, balanced energy while curbing your appetite and increasing your metabolic rate. Because of the incredible absorption rates caused by this ” thermonutrient,” the ingredients of B-T Plus get into the body faster and stay in your body longer. In addition, you will get results quicker than ever before!

Bioperine® (trademark of the Sabinsa Corporation patent #5,536506) is a “thermonutrient” derived from black pepper. It helps the body ensure absorption of essential nutrients from our foods and supplements. Double-blind, clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of Bioperine® when used in conjunction with a variety of nutrients. For example, a study compared the bioavailability of a single dose of vitamin B6 (100mg) when used with Bioperine® and found absorption was 2.5 times higher in the group receiving vitamin B6 with Bioperine® as compared to the control group receiving the vitamin supplementation alone. Additional studies have shown as much as a 30% higher rate of absorption of ingredients was possible when taken with Bioperine®.

Click here for more information on B-T Plus »

Probotics as Digestive Aids
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

I remember an episode of that show “Wife Swap”. I didn’t watch it regularly but rather, when nothing else was on. This time, one of the families ate a raw food diet that would probably shock foodies.

In addition to eating all raw vegetables and fruits, this family ate raw chicken, raw beef, raw eggs, etc. They cooked nothing at all. They even ate aged, raw meat. I forget what they called it but it was raw meat that had basically molded and rotted, as far as I’m concerned.

The wife, at one point and to make a point, licked the floor of the family home she had been “swapped” out to, because she wasn’t afraid of bacteria. She thought bacteria wasn’t the enemy.

I thought of that scene and that family when I watched ABC News the other night. Charlie Gibson was talking about bacteria too, the kind of friendly bacteria that is being advertised now as a digestive aid in yogurts like Activia. Most yogurt already has “live cultures” but probiotics are now being added to a lot of yogurt products.

Is bacteria bad?
People tend to think of bacteria as being something harmful that needs to treated with antibiotics, but the truth is that a certain type of bacteria, called probiotics, are vital for healthy digestion. In addition, these friendly bacteria help with increased immune response and are considered a beneficial dietary addition for those with lactose intolerance. Source: USProbiotics.org

I’m some where in the middle, between those who lick floors and those who feel bacteria are to be avoided at all costs. I use hand sanitizer during cold and flu season, whenever in crowded public places, but I don’t go all Howard Hughes about it. On the other hand, I don’t run around looking for bacteria to touch, taste and breathe in but I recognize it as part of life.

I personally don’t feel that probiotics should be given to children, in general. They don’t have fully developed immune systems and probiotics could interfere with the development of immune response, in my opinion. I infer this from what I’ve read about other immune-enhancing supplements like kombucha.

Kids love those yogurts in the little bottles but when my 3 year old nephew drank more than one, his stomach got upset. I just think it’s better not to give it to children under the age of 4, unless directed by your doctor of course.

Digestive Enzymes Information: Help for Bloating and Gas
This article, copyright, Neva J. Howell, all rights reserved

Question on healing:

Since a young age, I have had problems with bloating. I have also had candidiasis for year. A doctor put me on pancreatic supplements (Pancrex V) a few years ago after he tested and found my body wasn’t producing enough protease. They helped but I could only take one or two capsules each meal otherwise, I would have very severe bloating. I thought it may have been because I was reacting to them in the way I’ve reacted to foods that I became intolerant to in the past. I have had periods of food intolerance before. I switched to the plant-based ones about 3 months ago. Unfortunately, the bloating and gas have not subsided. Symptoms are worst when I take the Purezyme protease tablets, but pretty bad with any of them; I also take oxicellzyme and gastrozyme. Do you have any suggestions or information you could offer me?

Healing Facilitation Response:

Well, I’m glad to hear you switched to plant-based enzymes. I’m very familiar with the products you mentioned. I use them and they are one of only a few product lines that I personally endorse. I had several conversations with the owner of the company over the years about just this subject.

One thing I discovered is that digestive enzymes often cause gas and bloating at first but you should be over the worst of that within a few weeks so I’m wondering about other factors, like diet, water intake, parasites, heavy metals, candida and stress…..all these should be looked at closely.

Also, I’m wondering if adding PureZyme on an empty stomach, in addition to what you are taking with meals, might be helpful. Protease performs quite differently on an empty stomach than it does when food is present and can be very healing.

The way protease works when taken on an empty stomach is that it goes to work purifying the systems - the blood, the lymph, the liver, etc… It is just a wonderful, wonderful cleanser and regenerator for the body when taken that way. The plantadophilus is also very supportive for a body with candida and knowing you have that, I would definitely suggest adding the plantadophilus if you don’t already have it.

As far as addressing bloating through adjusting enzyme dosage, the general concensus among enzyme specialists seems to be that taking more rather than less, can eliminate the discomfort. However, the Oxicellzyme formula contains broccoli, which can cause gas in some people and barley grass which can sometimes be intense to the digestive system at first, in some people (myself included). You should check with the enzyme specialist at the company about the best way to balance the bloating and still be able to get your digestive system back on track but I suspect cutting back on the Oxicellzyme might be helpful.

You might also want to consider an internal cleanse. I have found that when problems with bloating go back as far as yours do, there may be years and years of old debris in the colon, hardened and clinging to the walls. Also, parasites which may have migrated into organs and muscles by now. I don’t want to frighten you but we can have some pretty nasty systems and still be walking around, which is a testament to the genius of God’s creation.

Regular use of the oxicellzyme and plantadophilus are suggested to balance out bloating but again, check with the enzyme specialists at Enzyme Essentials. They know their stuff!

On gas and bloating in general:
Gas and bloating is a fairly standard problem with many people when they are not digesting their food properly. When protein is not digested properly it putrifies. When carbohydrates are not digested properly they ferment. When fats are not digested properly they turn rancid. All of this creates toxic effects which results in bloating and gas as well as possible ill health in the future. These conditions become more prevalent as we age because our body is not able to produce as many digestive enzymes as was the case when we were younger. Many people notice that they are not able to eat the rich and spicy foods they could once eat.

Digestive enzymes will generally alleviate this problem but some patience may be required as the body releases waste and toxins, and gets used to more heightened digestive activity. After years of gastric abuse, it may take about a month or two for the body’s digestive system to begin working properly after you start taking digestive enzymes regularly. The body has to learn again how to digest and eliminate properly in cases where the bloating and gas have been constant.

Of course, you could also have some tests done and rule out any problems with the colon itself. Candida can also really play havoc with your entire system so I’d make very sure that was gone. Getting off sugar entirely for 30 days would be a great start - even fruit sugars, honey, etc.. Protease deficiency can be a factor in developing yeast, by the way. If it were me, I’d be taking the purezyme on an empty stomach (at least 3 hours after eating) every day for a while, to help the body kill off yeast. Protease functions differently when taken on an empty stomach than it does when you take it with food. Since you have a deficiency that has been diagnosed, I would think you’d want to use it both ways.

Internal inflammation is a big factor in degenerative disease
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

I’ve been reading a lot of reports on the role
that internal inflammation plays in disease and
it appears to be a big factor.  There are several
good books on the subject, including
“The Inflammation Response” if you want to read
up on this important health finding.

My own chronic joint pain and muscle pain
certainly seems inflammation-related because
when I take anti-inflammatory supplements, it
always gets better.

 I started taking tumeric when I read about it’s natural anti-inflammatory properties but, since then have read that, in addition to helping the body reduce internal inflammation, tumeric also has important anti-cancer actions as well.

 There are studies being done by scientists who are intrigued by the low rates of certain kinds of cancer in India.  Of course, the East Indian diet is very high in tumeric and scientists are studying how much of a role their high-tumeric diet plays in helping India have the lowest cancer rates in the world on cancers such as colorectal and lung.

 In addition to tumeric, I also take salmon oil gels for my internal inflammation.  I can say that, when I remember to take these two faithfully, I definitely see a difference in my own joint pain as well as muscle pain throughout the body.

By the way, tumeric has one specific pigment that is more typically extracted and used and the name of that pigment is curcumin.  I don’t really understand if this is the same as curry or part of curry……in any case, I just buy tumeric.  I usually feel whole plant synergy is best.

I don’t have a preferred brand of tumeric but I do prefer Vital Choice Salmon Oil Gels.

Vitabase has a Dr. approved tumeric extract, if you are looking for that right now.

Tumeric / Curcumin is considered safe for adults but can cause indigestion in some, if used longterm. Also, tumeric is not recommended for people who have gallbladder disease. For more information on this helpful spice, visit The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Health’s page on the subject: Tumeric Fact Sheet

Unleashing Optimal Garlic Health Benefits

I love garlic. I have never tasted a dish with garlic where I thought the cook added too much. Garlic is a wonderful food with lots of health benefits but did you know that cooking with garlic involves important attention?

According to the American Chemical Society, to release the health-giving benefits of garlic in your favorite recipes, garlic cloves should be crushed prior to heating. This is a very important step because, unless the garlic is crushed, some of the healthy benefits of cooking with garlic may be lost.

This is because garlic has special compounds that can only be protected from heat through the release of a special enzyme.

In order to release that enzyme, crush the cloves before exposing them to heat. This action releases the enzyme that is designed to protect organosulfur componds in the garlic, when explosed to heat.

You can further insure that heat does not destroy healthful compounds by letting the crushed garlic sit for a bit before exposing to heat.

Get the most out of your garlic! Crush before heating.

Notes about garlic: Garlic, healthy as it is, can interfere with certain medications so check with your doctor before adding it to your health regimen. Also, it is possible to allergic to garlic, just as it is any other substance, so if you notice any allergy symptoms, try staying off it for a while and see if they clear. Garlic can cause stomach irritation if eaten raw. Nutritionists recommend regular use of garlic, in those who have no allergies and who are not on contraindicated medicines, for cardiovascular health benefits, the antibiotic properties and other healthy properties. However, there is no conclusive proof that garlic is the best approach for lowering cholesterol.

BRAND NAME HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
Easy Online Order List

If you are seeking health supplements from several specific companies, it can be tedious to find a good source for all of them.  This company, Vitabase, has a good selection of brand name health supplements and they have them listed, for convenience and ease of ordering, from A to Z.  I’m happy to partner with Vitabase to bring you an easy to search list of brand name supplements: