Cancer
Cancer is an imprecise term that describes some 200 different kinds of malignant growths, all of which involve the spreading of abnormal tissues. Cancerous cells originate from genetic changes in a single cell, which then clones itself into mutant cells that proliferate out of control.

Cancer is a disease of weakened immunity. Cancerous cells are created in every human body from time-to-time. If a person has strong immune processes, these mutant cells are recognized and destroyed by antibodies before they can cause harm. Only if immunity is weak can cancerous cells take over a particular tissue. As immunity becomes progressively weaker, more and more malignant growths may appear in various parts of the body. The nutritional treatment of cancer requires giving the body the raw materials it needs to strengthen its immune processes. Candidiasis often accompanies cancer. Some tumors may actually be an allergic response.

Cancer, Breast
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 30 and 50, and is second only to heart disease as a cause of death in women over 50. The factor that contributes most to breast cancer is the brassiere. Women who never wear a bra have the same incidence of breast cancer as men. Women who wear a bra for 12 hours per day have over 20 times the rate of breast cancer as those who never wear a bra. Those who wear a bra for 24 hours a day have 100 times the rate of breast cancer as those who never wear a bra. The human breast is composed of large amounts of lymphatic tissue, which needs to drain continually in order to remain healthy. But lymph cannot drain when it is compressed and restricted. 

Cancer, Prostate
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men. Most of these deaths are preventable. This condition, if caught soon enough, responds favorably to combining natural cancer therapy with natural prostate therapy. [See also the sections on "Cancer" and "Prostate Enlargement".]

Candidiasis
Candida albicans is a genus of yeast that is a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract, mouth, skin, and vagina. In many people this organism proliferates out of control and gradually saturates many tissues of the body. What causes the proliferation is weakened immunity. Antibiotics, birth control pills and steroid type medications deplete the beneficial intestinal flora that would otherwise keep candida under control. The same natural treatment for candidiasis is also effective for fungal infections.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome makes it impossible to close the fingers fully. There may be numbness, prickling or tingling affecting the palmar side of the thumb and index finger, the radial side of the ring finger, and the radial side of the palm. These symptoms may also radiate into the arm. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a specific symptom of vitamin B-6 deficiency. Vitamin B-6 works in co-operation with other B-vitamins and needs to be taken with a complete B-complex formula them at the same time, in order not to create imbalances.

Cataracts
A cataract is a whitening opacity of the normally transparent lens (and/or lens capsule) of the eye, resulting from damage to the protein structure of the lens. Cataracts commonly accompany aging and can be precipitated by infection, injury, side reactions to drugs, diabetic complications, cigarette smoking, and overexposure to radiation (including ultraviolet rays from the sun). In cataract formation, the body’s normal protective mechanisms are unable to prevent damage from free radicals.

The lens of the eye has the highest protein content (35%) of any tissue of the body. It also requires a 20 times greater concentration of vitamin C than is in the blood. The lens is especially vulnerable nutritionally because it is not nourished directly from the bloodstream. It has to receive the nutrients it needs indirectly, from adjacent tissues. Nutrients that prevent cataract formation include protein, vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin B-2 (riboflavin), methionine, cysteine, selenium and glutathione. Low protein diets increase the risk for cataracts significantly.

Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an intestinal malabsorption syndrome characterized by diarrhea, malnutrition, and abnormally low calcium in the blood. A biopsy of the small intestine in this condition reveals microvilli that are flattened, thus significantly reducing absorptive surfaces. Because of this malabsorption, people with this condition are usually deficient in the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E), the B-complex vitamins (especially B-12), iron, selenium, and zinc. These can be provided by the Stress Formula – to which it may be beneficial to also add extra amounts of any factors for which deficiencies appear severe, tapering off as no longer required.

Celiac disease is caused by intolerance to gluten (a complex protein found in wheat, rye, oats, barley and triticale), most likely due to a genetic enzyme weakness. It is usually accompanied by lactose intolerance, the inability to break down milk sugar. Complete recovery from this condition is possible only when all glutinous grains and all milk products (except ghee) are completely removed from the diet. A little bit of a poison is still a poison. Consuming even a tiny bit of the offending foods will bring a return of the condition.

Cholesterol, High
High blood cholesterol levels usually have little or nothing to do with the amount of cholesterol eaten. Cholesterol is a vital bodily substance. It is a constituent of bile; it helps to convert sunlight into vitamin D; it is used to produce sex hormones; and it is needed by every cell in the body to keep membranes waterproof and to assist in the transmission of nerve impulses. The brain requires large amounts of cholesterol. Cholesterol is so important that the less of it we eat, the more of it our bodies produce. On an omnivorous diet, from 70 to 80 per cent of the cholesterol in the body is endogenous (made within the body) and does not come from diet. Since cholesterol is found only in foods of animal origin, on a vegan (total vegetarian) diet, 100 per cent of the cholesterol in the body is endogenous.

Cholesterol also serves as an antioxidant of last resort – when the body lacks sufficient dietary antioxidants (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium) to counter the free radicals that damage arterial walls. In this role, the cholesterol that covers over patches of arterial damage gives up electrons in order to neutralize free radicals and prevent further damage to the arteries. In the process, this cholesterol becomes oxidized. Supplementing with generous amounts of antioxidants is sometimes all that is needed to return high cholesterol readings to normal.

The other dietary factors that contribute to elevated cholesterol levels include (a) not drinking enough water, (b) excess sugar intake, (c) insufficient dietary fibre, and (d) lack of exercise. High cholesterol readings can also be a symptom of low thyroid function.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fatigue that never goes away is a symptom of a body for which demands are continually being made beyond its ability to cope. Low thyroid function is usually involved, often triggered by a traumatic event or health crisis of some kind. During such times, the thyroid gland shifts into low gear, so to speak, in order to devote the body’s resources to healing and recovery. Exercise and activity become very difficult because the body’s priority is to rest. Unfortunately, during this needed time of energy conservation, many people continue to push their bodies to keep up with their hectic lifestyles – thus prolonging what should have been only a temporary period of thyroid adjustment.

Chronic fatigue is always a symptom of adrenal exhaustion. The tiny adrenal glands become overwhelmed with such daily stresses as pushing a body beyond its ability to cope or from trying to support an immune system that is under continual siege. The adrenals will very often be trying to support a low grade battle that is going on all of the time, as the body tries to cope with hidden food allergies/intolerances, a candida/yeast infection, or some other chronic immune challenge. Identify and remove the immune challenges. Nourish and support the adrenals and thyroid.

Claudication, Intermittent – see "Atherosclerosis"

Cold, Common – see "Viral Infections"

Colitis
Colitis is inflammation of the colon. In severe cases the colon can become ulcerated. Symptoms include the passage of offensive watery stools with mucus and pus, abdominal pain or tenderness, and intermittent or irregular fever.

Colitis is invariably caused by hidden food allergies or sensitivities. The colons of some people are so sensitive that they react to certain common foods as if they were poisons. The aggravating foods differ from one person to the next but may include such things as wheat, milk products, oranges and citrus fruit, caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, colas), and/or the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, paprika, cayenne, chilli, tobacco). Tracking down and eliminating the offending foods relieves this condition. Total relief will not come, however, until every molecule of the culprit(s) is/are eliminated from the diet. A little bit of a poison is still a poison, so to speak.

Colon, Irritable
Both the small and large intestines are involved in this syndrome of impaired intestinal motility. Symptoms include cramping, usually in the lower abdomen, and constipation alternating with diarrhea. The pain is usually relieved by the passage of either small-diameter stools of varying consistency or gas and mucus. Symptoms may be chronic or occur at intervals, and are often triggered by anxiety-producing periods of stress.

Irritable colon is invariably caused by hidden food allergies or sensitivities. The colons of some people are so sensitive that they react to certain common foods as if they were poisons. The aggravating foods differ from one person to the next but may include such things as wheat, milk products, oranges and citrus fruit, caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, colas), and/or the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, paprika, cayenne, chili, tobacco). Tracking down and eliminating the offending foods relieves this condition. Total relief will not come, however, until every molecule of the culprit(s) is/are eliminated from the diet. A little bit of a poison is still a poison, so to speak.

The symptoms of irritable colon flare up during periods of stress because of the "threshold" effect on weak adrenal glands. Food allergies/sensitivities create a low-grade form of stress that is always there as long as the offending foods are eaten. Working creates stress. So do family and social situations. During times of low stress, the adrenal glands may be able to cope with the allergic-type stress without displaying any symptoms. Stresses pile up, however. On high stress days the adrenals become overworked and cannot cope with the irritating foods. It is as if each person has a threshold of stress beyond which allergic symptoms are experienced but below which they are not. Strengthening the adrenal glands nutritionally can raise this threshold considerably. Sometimes adrenal strengthening by itself completely eliminates allergic reactions.

Colon, Spastic – see "Colon, Irritable"

Concentration, Poor
Inability to concentrate can be a symptom of mood disorders (caused or aggravated by hypoglycemia). Following a hypoglycemic diet and supporting the adrenal glands with the Stress Formula help to correct this kind of imbalance. There are also a number of herbs that help to improve concentration, memory and other brain functions. These include ginkgo biloba, Siberian ginseng, ashwagandha, gotu kola, and bilberry – all of which are provided in synergistic combination in the Brain Formula.

Constipation
Constipation involves infrequent or sluggish action of the bowels. Sometimes the stools are dry, hard, compacted and difficult to pass; but often they appear quite normal. Surprisingly, diarrhea can also be a symptom of constipation. Sometimes the stools become so severely compacted that the only waste that can make its way through is liquid.

Many people are constipated and don’t know it. Try the beet test. Eat some beets and see how long it takes to pass the deep red stain in the stools. If it is 24 hours or less, then the bowels are "regular". If the red color takes more than one day to pass, then there is some degree of constipation present. If it takes three days or longer, then constipation is a serious threat to health.

During constipation, some of the cellulose in food is broken down by bacterial action into volatile fatty acids. The growth of bacteria increases in the colon and begins to move upward into the small intestine, where food is fermented more and digested less, causing more gas to be produced. Putrefaction in the colon can produce dangerous substances that generate free radicals and that have been implicated as causative factors in cancer and heart disease. Constipated people are also at higher risk for appendicitis, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins.

Constipation often indicates that the body lacks sufficient fiber, sufficient water, or both. Step One: Drink at least two liters/quarts of purified water daily. Step Two: Increase dietary fiber – by consuming generous amounts of vegetables, 100% whole grains, seeds, nuts and fruits. For good measure, also include regular exercise. Simply walking for 20 minutes each day may be enough to relieve or prevent constipation for those with sedentary lifestyles.

If the above steps are not enough to establish regularity within a few days, an herbal colon cleanser may be needed to gently cleanse and stimulate the colon. Once the acute constipation problem has been relieved, the next step is to maintain regularity through diet. If high fiber foods alone are not enough, powdered psyllium hulls are a highly useful bulking agent – the more finely powdered the better. This form of supplementary fiber helps to restore and maintain bowel normality gently and effectively. A word of warning – psyllium needs to be taken with a large intake of water (at least three liters/quarts daily). Without sufficient water, psyllium tends to add to the constipation problem rather than relieve it.

Constipation disturbs intestinal bacteria, so it is a good idea to help normalize these microflora by taking supplementary Lactobacillus acidophilus.

For stubborn, long-standing cases of constipation, more needs to happen. Often the colon becomes sluggish because earlier links in the digestive chain are weak. If the stomach does not produce enough hydrochloric acid, then the gall bladder and pancreas do not get the signals they need to secrete enough bile and digestive enzymes. Bile is a natural laxative. Such weaknesses can be corrected by taking a digestive enzyme supplement that contains both betaine hydrochloride and bile. This type of supplementation is essential for anyone who has had a gall bladder removed.

In spite of all of the above measures, there are still some cases that do not respond until the thyroid gland is supported. A sluggish thyroid makes everything else in the body sluggish, including the colon.

Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease (regional ileitis, regional enteritis) involves chronic non-specific inflammation of the lowest part of the small intestine. Symptoms may come and go and include diarrhea, abdominal pain, anemia, weight loss, fistula formation, and eventual intestinal blockage. Stools are soft and gray or brown in color, with abnormal fecal particles. Crohn’s disease is a reaction to hidden food allergies or intolerances. The most likely culprits are gluten (wheat, rye, oats, barley, triticale) and milk products (lactose). There may also be sensitivities to soy, egg, nuts, and/or the nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, paprika, eggplant, cayenne, chili).

Complete recovery from Crohn’s disease is possible if and only if all of the offending foods are identified and eliminated completely. A little bit of a poison is still a poison. Resuming to eat even one of the offenders, even in tiny amounts, will cause a return of the disease. In addition to completely eliminating all of the foods to which the person is sensitive, recovery from Crohn’s is greatly facilitated by following a high fiber, low sugar diet – but the fiber must be from non-glutinous sources (e.g., vegetables, brown rice, buckwheat, amaranth). Finely powdered psyllium hulls make an excellent fiber supplement.

Because of inefficient absorption, those with Crohn’s disease will very likely be deficient in the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E), the B-complex vitamins (especially B-12 & folic acid), calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium, and zinc. These can be provided by the Stress Formula. If deficiencies in some of these nutrients are severe it may be beneficial to also take extra amounts of them initially, tapering off as they are no longer required.