Obesity – see "Overweight"

Osteoarthritis – see "Arthritis"

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a reduction in the mass of bones sufficient to compromise their mechanical support function. About 98.5% of the calcium in the human body is found in the bones and teeth. Most of the remaining 1.5% is required by the bloodstream, on a high priority basis. If the blood does not get enough calcium, it will take what it needs from the bones. Blood tests often show normal levels of calcium, even in people who have advanced osteoporosis.

It is not necessary to consume dairy products in order to get enough calcium. Calcium is widely dispersed throughout our food supply. It is found in tiny amounts in almost every food and in significant amounts in almonds, barley, beet greens, dates, filberts, kale, molasses, mustard greens, oysters, peanuts, salmon, sardines, soy, spinach, sunflower seeds, turnip greens, and English walnuts. Cows don’t drink milk, yet they have plenty of dietary calcium to put into their milk. They get it from the greens they eat. So can we. There are many Asian, African and other cultures which do not consume dairy products at all yet have an extremely low incidence of osteoporosis.

Lack of calcium in the bones may have less to do with low intake than it has to do with calcium-depleting factors in our lifestyle. Sugar causes the body to deplete calcium. Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, colas) also causes the body to deplete calcium. When both sugar and caffeine are consumed together, they have a multiplier effect on the amount of calcium depleted. Excessive phosphorus (e.g., in soft drinks) also causes the body to waste calcium. So does lack of exercise.

Even if dietary intake of calcium is sufficient, the body has to have enough of certain other factors in order to be able to utilize that calcium. Magnesium is needed to keep calcium in solution, to keep it from precipitating out to form bone spurs and kidney stones. High potassium intake is associated with low calcium excretion. Vitamin D is needed by the parathyroid glands to regulate calcium metabolism. Silicon acts as a catalyst for calcium utilization. There has to be enough hydrochloric acid in the stomach in order to break down calcium in the diet. And if the body does not produce enough bile, it cannot break down fats into droplets small enough to be acted upon by lipase (fat-splitting) enzymes. Large globules of fats remain in the gut, attracting calcium (electro-magnetically) to form insoluble soaps that cannot be absorbed through the intestinal wall.

Osteoporosis can be overcome by paying attention to all of the factors involved: (1) Restrict sugar, caffeine, and soft drinks. (2) Exercise regularly. (3) Take a dietary supplement that provide generous amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium – plus a multi-vitamin-mineral formula that includes vitamin D and silicon. (4) Support digestive function by taking an enzyme supplement that includes betaine hydrochloride and bile.

Overweight
An abnormal amount of fat on the body is a symptom of a sluggish metabolism and inappropriate food choices. It does not necessarily mean that the person is eating too much in terms of total caloric intake. (Calories are the least important aspect of nutrition.). It does, however, mean that the foods chosen are not being metabolized well.

There are a number of metabolic weaknesses that contribute to excessive accumulation of fat. All of them need to be checked out and supported as needed. If even one is left unattended, then nothing else one does to lose weight is likely to be of lasting benefit. All of the "links" in the nutritional "chain" need to be strong in order to get results.

Many people who gain weight easily and who fail to lose on diets have undiagnosed low thyroid function (hypothyroidism). The reason that so many cases go undiagnosed is that the laboratory tests for hypothyroidism are unreliable. They measure the amount of thyroid hormones circulating in the blood, which may have little or nothing to do with the amount of hormones that actually reach the tissues that need them. [There is a much more reliable self-test that is explained in the "Causes" section under "Low Thyroid."] If the thyroid gland is not functioning up to par, then nothing else in the body tends to work well either. Digestion and elimination slow down. And there is a tendency to develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Low stomach acid also contributes to overweight conditions. If the stomach does not secrete adequate amounts of hydrochloric acid, the entire process of digestion and elimination slow right down. The colon may hold on to its contents for days at a time. The body will not be able to absorb the nutrients it needs but will accumulate excess waste and toxins. This retention problem can be accelerated if the person’s body also has a "leaky" gut. Taking supplementary digestive enzymes not only helps the body to be better nourished but can also cause an immediate weight loss by perking up digestion and stimulating the colon to release its accumulated contents.

Hypoglycemia can cause sudden cravings for sweets, coffee, or alcohol. As the blood sugar level plummets, the brain craves a "fix" to bring it back into normal range. Unfortunately, the very foods craved are the ones that perpetuate the rebound problem – leading to temporary satisfaction only and more cravings later. People with hypoglycemia tend to eat more sugary foods than their bodies can handle, and in sluggish metabolizers this excess sugar is converted into body fat.

Often the "yo-yo" cravings of hypoglycemia are triggered by food(s) to which one is allergic or sensitive. Allergies and addiction are, in effect, two sides of the same coin. Another side effect of food sensitivities, in some people, is excess fluid retention. For them it is not unusual to eliminate 20 pounds or more of excess fluid simply by identifying and eliminating the foods to which they are sensitive.

Diabetics, especially those who are sluggish metabolizers, tend to develop excess body fat. When blood sugar levels are constantly too high, the body will struggle to do what it can with the excess, which usually means converting it into fat. Anyone with excessive urination, excessive thirst, weakness, dry skin and excessive food intake is well advised to be medically tested for diabetes.

Which diet is best for losing weight? Generally, it is any one that concentrates on low glycemic foods. These are foods that the body converts to glucose (blood sugar) very slowly – including protein foods (e.g., fish, eggs, poultry, meat, cheese), non-starchy vegetables, and complex carbohydrates (e.g., 100% whole grains). Shun the simple carbohydrates (e.g., refined sugars, dried fruits, fruit juices, beer, liquor). Eat whole foods in as natural a state as possible. Over-processed, devitalized foods tend to overwhelm our bodies with glucose molecules faster than they can be metabolised. Keep in mind that overweight is a symptom of metabolic imbalances and when these imbalances are corrected, body weight tends to normalize itself.

Pain, Body
Pain is the body’s way of letting us know that some of our tissues are in trouble. Drugs only mask the pain. By numbing our senses, they allow us to continue doing whatever it is that is causing the problem. Fortunately, nature has a better way. The pain and destruction caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendonitis, and sports injuries can be nourished into recovery.

Each of the following natural substances relieves pain by helping to correct its cause. Taking these substances one-at-a-time is a hit-or-miss proposition. Taking them together in a uniquely orchestrated and synergistic balance, however, can provide natural pain relief – without side effects – that is more lasting than that offered by pharmaceutical drugs: marine lipids (EPA, DHA), glucosamine sulphate, N-acetly-D glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, shark cartilage, red wine proanthocyanidins, bilberry, borage oil, and manganese.

Parasites, Intestinal
Intestinal parasites, such as protozoans (amoeba, giardia, trichomonas) or helminths (roundworms, pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms), can be picked up while visiting foreign or unfamiliar locations and/or from eating undercooked meat. They may cause unexplained diarrhea, abdominal distress, indigestion, gas, or bloating. Other symptoms can include irritable intestinal tract, recently developed food allergies or environmental illness, frequent colds or flu, ravenous appetite, anal itching at night, weight loss or inability to gain weight, changeable bowel movements, and feelings of rectal fullness or pressure.

A combination of four supplements is very effective at removing parasites from the intestinal tract: (1) the Parasite Formula, (2) Lactobacillus acidophilus to increase the lactic bacteria that displace parasites, (3) the Digestive Enzyme Formula to replenish the hydrochloric acid and bile that kill parasites, and (4) the Colon Cleansing Formula to relieve any constipation that may be present. If parasites have reached the bloodstream (i.e., become systemic) then a fifth supplement will be required: (5) Oil of Oregano, 2 drops under the tongue 2-3 times daily, between meals. For best results continue this program for eight weeks.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
In women susceptible to PMS, the menstrual cycle brings on mood changes – such as depression, anxiety, emotional reactivity, sadness, hopelessness, tension, tearfulness, anger, withdrawal, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, food cravings, binge eating, feeling overwhelmed or out of control, decreased interest in activities, or increased interpersonal conflicts. These mood changes may also be accompanied by physical changes – such as breast tenderness, bloating, weight gain, or headaches. All of the symptoms of PMS occur during the last week of the menstrual cycle and diminish within a few days of the onset of the menses.

All of the symptoms of PMS relate both to hypoglycemia and to hormonal imbalances. The common factor that links both is adrenal exhaustion. Women who have weak adrenal glands become hypoglycemic for a part of their monthly cycles. The adrenals are important to coping with stress, regulating blood sugar and producing sex hormones. If these glands are undernourished, they may be able to cope with daily life during most of the month but fail to function normally when the stress of peak female hormone is added on to all of life’s other stresses. PMS can be overcome by following a hypoglycemic diet throughout the entire month, by supporting the adrenal glands, and by supplementing with extra factors that aid hormone production (such as the essential fatty acids in organic flaxseed oil capsules and the cellular factors provided by glandular concentrates)

Prostate Enlargement
The prostate is a walnut-sized, doughnut-shaped gland that lies below the bladder and surrounds the male urethra. It secretes a milky, alkaline fluid that increases sperm motility and lubricates the urethra to prevent infection. Enlargement of the prostate is common, especially after middle age – and is due to the lack of specific nutrients that the prostate gland requires for its health and optimal functioning.

The prostate gland has the highest concentration of zinc of any organ or tissue in the body. It also has very high requirements for three amino acids: glycine, alanine and glutamic acid. The Prostate Formula below provides all of the nutrients required by the prostate, plus some enhancing factors. In addition, organic flaxseed oil capsules provide essential fatty acids that help to improve prostate function.

Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin rash consisting of elevated patches which coalesce to form plaques with distinctive borders. As the condition develops, a silvery, yellow-white scale develops. Most commonly found on the knees, elbows, scalp, umbilicus and genitals. Most cases of psoriasis appear to be caused by hidden food sensitivities, especially to gluten – the complex protein found in wheat, rye, oats, barley, spelt, kamut, and triticale. Total abstinence from the offending foods usually brings complete relief. Supplementary essential fatty acids, such as those found in organic flaxseed oil capsules, also promotes healing from psoriasis.

Raynaud’s Syndrome
Raynaud’s syndrome is a peripheral vascular disorder found in women between 18 and 30 years of age. It is marked by abnormal vasoconstriction of the extremities on exposure to cold or emotional stress. It is believed to be an autoimmune disorder.

Reflux Esophagitis
The esophagus does not have a thick layer of mucus to protect it from strong acids. In reflux esophagitis, stomach acid splashes upward into the esophagus, creating an intense form of heartburn. If it happens often enough, esophageal ulcers are the inevitable result.

In the normal situation, gravity and peristalsis ensure that gastric acid flows downward and not upward. If, however, a small portion of the upper stomach becomes trapped or pinched in the diaphragm (a condition known as hiatal hernia) then stomach acid can reflux upward .

Hiatal hernia is created by an opening in the diaphragm that is too large. It is a structural defect that may flare up frequently, rarely or never. Whenever the stomach becomes pinched in the diaphragm, the only way to correct this problem is to restore the stomach to its proper position. This can be done in a number of ways: (1) Chiropractic adjustments can relieve the muscular spasms affecting the diaphragm, causing it to relax its hold on the stomach. (2) Drinking two glasses of water and jumping up and down uses gravity to drop the stomach back into place. (3) Allowing sunlight to shine on the forehead and face for about 8 minutes stimulates a pineal reflex that relaxes the spine, which in turn relaxes the diaphragm, allowing it to release the stomach. (If sunlight is unavailable, a flashlight or light bulb focuses over the bridge of the nose, with the eyes protected, can often have the same effect.) (4) Sleeping with the head elevated (e.g., by placing four inch blocks under the head of the bed) will ease the problem, by preventing the backing up of gastric juices, until further corrective action can be taken.

There is some evidence that hidden food sensitivities may also cause or aggravate reflux esophagitis by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter and over-stimulating gastric secretions. Foods that have been implicated include alcohol, sugar, chocolate, coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, spicy foods, tomatoes, and fatty foods.

Retinopathy, Diabetic – see "Atherosclerosis"

Rheumatoid Arthritis – see "Arthritis"

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