Headaches, Migraine
A migraine headache is one that affects one half of the head and may be accompanied by disordered vision and gastrointestinal disturbances. There may also be sharp stabbing pains in the temple region. Migraines are usually the result of hidden food sensitivities. Almost any food could be involved, but the most common offenders include alcoholic beverages (especially red wine), aspartame, caffeine, cheese, chocolate, milk, nitrates and nitrites, and tyramine (found in aged cheeses, fermented sausages, sour cream, etc.) Some migraine headaches are caused or aggravated by hypoglycemia. Supplements that may help to reduce the severity and frequency of migraines include magnesium, and omega-3 fish body oils.

Heartburn – see "Reflux Esophagitis"

Heavy Metal Toxicity
Aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel are heavy metals that tend to accumulate within the brain, kidneys and immune system, where they can seriously impair normal functioning. Most heavy metals in the body are the result of industrial contaminants in the environment. Other sources include aluminum from antacids and cookware; cadmium and lead from cigarette smoke; lead from pesticide sprays, cooking utensils and the solder in tin cans; and mercury from dental amalgam fillings, contaminated fish, and cosmetics. Workers with high exposure to heavy metals include battery makers, dentists, gasoline station attendants, printers, roofers, and solderers.

Hernia, Hiatal – see "Reflux Esophagitis"

High Blood Pressure – see "Hypertension"

Hodgkin’s Disease
Hodgkin’s disease is the name given to solid tumors (lymphomas) of the lymph glands. Symptoms begin with painless enlargement of the lymph nodes and may be followed by fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Some people may also experience severe pruritus (itching). If left untreated, this malignancy invades adjacent areas and will eventually kill the patient by obstructing vital organs. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is often preceded by exposure to toxic chemicals or toxic drugs. Liver toxicity is a factor in the development of this condition. Medical treatments for Hodgkin’s (radiation, chemotherapy) are effective in over 70 per cent of cases. Nutritional support helps both to improve the effectiveness of the medical treatments and to reduce the side effects thereof. Large amounts of antioxidants are beneficial, especially those provided by the Cancer Formula. [See also the section on "Cancer."]

Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity is a syndrome (usually in children) that is characterized by restlessness, increased muscular movement and activity, impulsive behavior, shot attention span and inability to concentrate. These mental/behavioral abnormalities occur when glucose supply to the brain is diminished – meaning that hyperactivity is a symptom of hypoglycemia. Two factors cause blood glucose levels to plummet – (1) ingestion of concentrated sugars and sweets, and (2) reactions to hidden food allergies/sensitivities. When all sweet foods and all allergenic foods are completely removed from the diet, hyperactive children’s behavior returns to normal – but the elimination must be total in order for results to be total. Almost any food can trigger hyperactivity in a sensitive child; but the most common offenders are sugar, milk, aspartame, artificial food dyes and additives, and salicylates (e.g., ASA, Aspirin, Bufferin, raisins, prunes, berries, licorice, peppermint, nuts, curry, paprika, thyme, dill, oregano, turmeric).

The Stress Formula provides ideal support for helping to normalize blood sugar by strengthening the adrenal glands. Children 13 years and older would take the full adult amount of the Stress Formula. Younger children would take a scaled-down amount, depending on age – starting with one tablet per day at age two. Tablets can be mashed and added to peanut butter or banana. If chewable or liquid vitamins are given to hyperactive children, it is crucial that these preparations contain no hidden sugars of any kind, nor any artificial colorings.

Hypertension
Hypertension is a condition in which a person has higher blood pressure than is deemed normal. Most cases of high blood pressure are caused by hidden food allergies. There is a quick but extreme way to find out for sure. For four days drink only purified water. Consume no solid or liquid food of any kind. If hidden food allergies are involved, at the end of the four days blood pressure will be normal. By cutting out all foods one automatically eliminated the ones that were causing the problem. To find out which foods are the culprits, add back one food at a time and take blood pressure readings. If no elevation in blood pressure is experienced within three hours of eating a particular food, eat another, and so on until one is found that does elevate blood pressure. Then, wait until blood pressure returns to normal before testing another food (which could be up to 12 hours).

A less extreme way to find the allergenic foods is to measure blood pressure first thing upon arising in the morning, before any food or beverage is consumed. Then, eat breakfast and take another blood pressure reading immediately afterward. Throughout the day, take a BP reading before and after every food or beverage that is consumed. If the upper BP reading increases by more than 14 mm Hg over the baseline morning measurement, it is most likely due to something that was eaten some time between arising and the high reading. Then it is a matter of backtracking and using the process of elimination to isolate the culprit(s). If readings are taken and recorded frequently enough, a pattern will emerge. Almost any food could cause high blood pressure in a sensitive person; however, the most common offenders include caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, colas), and the nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, paprika, eggplant, cayenne, chili, tobacco).

Other factors that may cause or aggravate high blood pressure include (1) electrolyte imbalance – which can be restored with relatively high intakes of calcium, magnesium and potassium and a relatively low intake of sodium. (2) Loss of elasticity in the arteries – which can be restored by following an arterial cleansing/restoration program. (3) Heavy metal toxicity, especially from cadmium, lead or mercury – which overload can be reduced by means of a heavy metal detox program.

Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is the "you won’t like me when I’m hungry" syndrome. The brain is highly dependent on its fuel, glucose (blood sugar). If that fuel supply drops, the brain suffers – often letting its owner (and others) know with episodes of nervousness, shakiness, headaches, anxiety, irritability, or temper outbursts – and may be accompanied by sudden strong cravings for sweets, coffee, or alcohol. Hypoglycemia is rampant in our society and is a contributing factor to many health conditions (e.g., asthma, attention deficit disorders, bipolar disorders, hyperactivity, insomnia, overweight, premenstrual syndrome, schizophrenia). Hypoglycemia can be overcome by doing two things simultaneously: (1) Restricting one’s intake of refined and concentrated sugars of all kinds, coffee, tea, chocolate, colas, alcohol and tobacco. (2) Strengthening the adrenal glands.

Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) may be the most under-diagnosed of all health conditions. Why? Because the laboratory tests for measuring it are unreliable. Blood tests can tell if the thyroid gland is diseased but not if the thyroid hormones are functioning at sub-optimal levels. Thyroid hormones circulating in the blood do not necessarily reach all of the cells that need them.

Thyroxine (T4) is the primary hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. It is made from iodine and the amino acid, tyrosine, in the diet. Thyroxine itself, however, is physiologically inactive. It has to be converted to its active form, triiodothyroinine (T3) before it can exert its effects. This conversion depends on the enzyme, deiodinase, which is made from selenium and the amino acid, cysteine. Other nutrients that support thyroid function include vitamins E, C, B-2, B-6, B-12, niacin and biotin.

Ileitis, Regional – see "Crohn’s Disease"

Impotence, click on:                                                                Detailed Information

Indigestion, "Acid"
Antacid medications are big business. Huge advertising budgets are spent to convince us that indigestion is caused by too much stomach acid and that alkalizing drugs are the solution. This approach does provide temporary relief, but it is more beneficial to corporate profits than it is to health – and it is based on a misconception. The most frequent cause of indigestion is too little stomach acid, not too much.

Influenza – see "Viral Infections"

Insomnia
Insomnia, in its strictest sense, means spontaneously awakening (usually around 2 or 3 AM) and finding it difficult to return to sleep again. This form of sleeplessness is a symptom of hypoglycemia, low blood sugar. In a 24-hour cycle one’s blood sugar tends to be lowest at this time of night. The brain becomes disturbed by lack of its fuel (glucose) and awakens its owner. Snacking on sweets or consuming alcohol just before bedtime aggravates this problem by exaggerating, in susceptible people, the natural rise and fall of blood sugar levels. Eating a high protein food before bedtime is often all that is needed to correct insomnia. Protein foods stay in the digestive tract for a long time and release their glucose content into the bloodstream very slowly, thus helping to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Ischemia – see "Atherosclerosis"

Kidney Stones (calcium oxalate)

Magnesium and vitamin B-6 are co-partners that increase the solubility of calcium oxalate, thus preventing the formation of kidney stones. Contrary to popular myth, vitamin C has never been documented to cause kidney stones; and there is a least one clinic that uses vitamin C as part of its therapy to help dissolve kidney stones. Cranberry juice (preferably unsweetened) acts as a urinary antiseptic and also helps to prevent the formation of kidney stones.

The following measures can significantly reduce the risk of stone formation: (1) drink at least 2.5 litres of purified water daily. (2) Eat more vegetables and whole grains. (3) Avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. (4) Drink unsweetened cranberry juice regularly, or take capsules of cranberry concentrate. (5) Supplement with at least 400 mg. of magnesium and 10 mg. of vitamin B-6 daily.

Lou Gehrig’s Disease -- see "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis"

Low Blood Sugar -- see "Hypoglycemia"

Lupus Erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus is a chronic, progressive skin disease. In its systemic form it is an inflammatory disease that involves multiple organ systems and is marked by periods of exacerbation and remission. Lupus is characterized by a butterfly rash over the nose and cheeks that resemble a wolf’s face. It is an autoimmune disorder.

Macular Degeneration
The macular area of the eye is that part of the retina that is important to the visualization of fine details. Macular degeneration is associated with aging and may also be related to the toxic effects of drugs. Loss of central vision makes it difficult to read or to do fine work. This condition does not, in itself, lead to total blindness. Some vision is retained. Those whose diets are rich in beta-carotene have a low risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.

Memory, Poor
Failing memory can be a symptom of free radical damage, diminished blood supply to the brain, and/or of certain nutrient deficiencies (e.g., vitamin B-12, choline, niacin/niacinamide). The Arterial Cleansing Formula helps to correct all of these underlying factors. There are also a number of herbs that have protective and restorative properties for the brain. These include ginkgo biloba, Siberian ginseng, ashwagandha, gotu kola, and bilberry – all of which are provided in synergistic combination in the Brain Formula. The Rejuvenation Formula also helps to improve memory and other brain functions.

Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by intermittent damage to the myelin sheath that covers nerve cell axons. Visual changes and muscular weakness occur often. As the disease progresses, different nerves may be affected at different times. It is an autoimmune disorder.

Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease characterized by skeletal muscle fatigability due to an abnormality in the synaptic junction between nerve and muscle fiber. Auto-antibodies and inflammation decrease the amount of acetylcholine that muscles can receive. Muscular activity produces rapid fatigue and loss of strength.

Muscle Cramps
Spontaneous cramps in the calf, foot, upper thighs, low back or hands can be a symptom of hypoglycemia. Following a sugar-free, high protein diet with frequent small meals often results in alleviation of this kind of cramping. Muscle cramps are also associated with an imbalance in the electrolyte minerals. Supplementing with calcium, magnesium and potassium relieves the cramps by restoring the electrolyte imbalance.

Narcolepsy – see "Epilepsy"

Night Vision, Poor
Ability to see at night or in low lighting depends on adaptation in which the pupil of the eye dilates, visual purple increases, and the intensity threshold of the retina is lowered. A decrease in the oxygen content of the blood (e.g., from cigarette smoke or air pollution) is accompanied by some loss of night vision. Vitamin A and beta-carotene help to improve night vision.

Copyright © David W. Rowland, 2001