Scleroderma
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder involving progressive systemic sclerosis in which the skin becomes hardened, taut, firm, and edematous. Complete attention is required to all contributing factors. The Arterial Cleansing Formula provides a sound base for supplementation, but it may need to be enhanced by adding organic flaxseed oil capsules, plus extra amounts of vitamin E.

Stiff Man Syndrome
Stiff man syndrome is a rare disorder of the central nervous system characterized by fluctuating but progressive muscle rigidity and spasms. Although the spasms may be relieved somewhat by supplementation with calcium, magnesium and potassium, complete recovery is possible only by thorough attention to all of the factors that contribute to this autoimmune disorder.

Stress
Daily living necessarily involves subjecting our bodies to stresses of various kinds – physical, mental and emotional. Exceeding the body’s ability to cope with these stresses, however, makes one vulnerable to degenerative diseases. Regular rest, relaxation, meditation, and recreation can significantly reduce the stress load. We can also nourish the body in particular ways to make it better able to cope with stress.

The adrenals need particular attention, since they are the glands that secrete stress-moderating hormones and also help to maintain blood sugar levels. The nutrients required in relatively large amounts by the adrenal glands include vitamin C, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-12 and potassium. These can be provided in an adrenal support formula to be added to other supplementary nutrients that a particular body may require – or as part of a broad spectrum "stress" supplement that includes all vitamins and minerals but with special attention to the adrenal support factors.

Strokes – see "Atherosclerosis"

Thyroid, Low – see "Hypothyroidism"

Triglycerides, Elevated
Most stored body fat is in the form of triglycerides (triacylglycerols), which represent a highly concentrated form of energy. Most dietary fat is also triglycerides. But the body also makes triglycerides in the liver from carbohydrates. And the fastest, surest way to increase triglycerides in the blood is to eat a lot of sugar. Restricting sugar intake and supplementing with dietary antioxidants is often all that is required to return triglyceride levels to normal.

Ulcers, Esophageal – see "Reflux Esophagitis"

Ulcers, Peptic
An ulcer is an open sore or lesion. Peptic ulcers are found in the stomach or duodenum. Peptic ulcers in the stomach are referred to as gastric ulcers, those in the duodenum as duodenal ulcers.

The usual symptoms of peptic ulcer include abdominal discomfort and pain 45 to 60 minutes after a meal or during the night. The pain may be experienced as burning, gnawing, cramping or aching. Eating or taking antacids usually brings temporary relief.

Repressed emotions, worry, stress, smoking, alcohol, ASA/aspirin compounds, and non-steroidal inflammatory drugs are all linked to the development of peptic ulcers. Other causative factors include a low fiber diet and hidden food allergies. If food allergy is the cause, then the ulcer will persist until the offending foods are eliminated, regardless of whatever other therapeutic measures may be taken.

A bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, has been found to be present in peptic ulcers. This invading organism is associated with inflammation of the stomach and duodenum, which subsides when the bacterium is destroyed by antibiotics. This is not proof that the bacterium caused the ulcer, however. Hydrochloric acid kills bacteria. The levels of gastric acid of a well functioning stomach prevent it from being attacked by invading bacteria. The most likely explanation is that Helicobacter pylori is an opportunist that takes over once normal acid levels have been depleted (e.g., from prolonged use of antacid medications).

Gastric ulcers are commonly attributed to too much stomach acid. Many gastric ulcers, however, are caused (indirectly) by too little hydrochloric acid. Low stomach acid produces symptoms of indigestion. If in response the person takes an antacid, this medication will alkalinize the contents of the stomach and cause them to be released prematurely into the duodenum – where they meet and mix with alkaline bile and alkaline pancreatic juice. This over-alkaline mass may sometimes cause a reflux of bile back into the stomach. Bile is corrosive and destructive of stomach tissue – and causes the stomach to secrete excess stomach acid to neutralize it. But this rebound surge of hydrochloric acid occurs when there is no food in the stomach.

A high fiber diet both speeds the healing of peptic ulcers and prevents their recurrence. This is probably because of fiber's ability to promote the secretion of mucus and to delay gastric emptying time. A high fiber diet is one that includes generous amounts of vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and fruits – and excludes refined sugars and refined grains.

Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc help to prevent ulcers by maintaining the integrity of the lining of the digestive tract. Raw cabbage juice helps ulcers to heal. One liter/quart of fresh juice, taken in divided amounts throughout the day, may result in complete ulcer healing in approximately 10 days.

If an ulcer is present, then any digestive enzyme supplements taken should not contain hydrochloric acid. Once the ulcer has healed, however, then proper acidification of the stomach may help to prevent their recurrence.

Viral Infections
Viruses are organisms so tiny that they cannot be seen with an ordinary light microscope. They are invaders that depend on nutrients inside the cells of the host for their metabolic and reproductive needs. They burrow into cells and use the DNA/RNA replication machinery of the host cell to reproduce themselves. By cloaking themselves in the body’s own processes, they are often able to elude initial detection by the immune system – which may not respond until viral proliferation has reached a critical mass. Antibiotics cannot kill viruses. All they can do is to clear up any secondary bacterial infection that may be present.

Viruses contribute to the common cold, influenza, smallpox, yellow fever, upper respiratory infections, herpes, and AIDS. But it is not strictly accurate to label them the "cause" of such conditions; they don’t cause disease in everyone. There are two aspects to viral infections: (1) the invading virus, and (2) the weakened immunity that allows it to take hold. Some people who are exposed to cold or flu viruses, for example, don’t get the cold or the flu. Some people have immune systems strong enough to keep the invading viruses in check so that they do not cause any significant damage.

The nutritional approach to viral infections is to strengthen the body’s natural immunity against them. This usually involves taking vitamin C in substantial amounts (from 2,000 to 10,000 mg. daily), Lactobacillus acidophilus, and a specially formulated Immune Formula.

During acute phases of viral infections it is important to rest, so that the body can devote its energies to immune building. It is also wise to abstain from eating solid foods and to consume only clear liquids (e.g., broths, herbal teas, dilute fruit juices, etc.). At these times one will not usually be hungry anyway. The body needs a break from digesting solid food so that it can devote more attention to detoxifying and building antibodies. The popular saying, "Feed a cold and starve a fever", is a misunderstanding. The original adage was, "If you feed a cold today you will have to starve a fever tomorrow." Feeding the cold short circuits immune processes and impairs the body’s ability to deal with it.

Some people seem to catch every cold and flu "bug" that goes around and others never seem to catch anything. The former group tend to be people with hidden food allergies/sensitivities. The latter tend not to be allergic. For this phenomenon there is another expression, "You don’t catch colds, you eat them." What this means is that if you constantly eat foods to which your body is sensitive, your body’s immune system will be so exhausted from having to deal with the daily allergens that it will not be able to muster its resources to ward off other invaders. My body is a case in point. For the first 30 years of my life it was continually succumbing to colds, flu, bronchitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and repeated bouts of viral pneumonia. In the 27 years since I have identified and eliminated all of the foods to which I was allergic and intolerant I have not had so much as one common cold.

Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a disorder characterized by white patches of skin surrounded by areas of normal pigmentation. It is an autoimmune disorder.

Yeast Infections – see "Candidiasis"