Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Channelopathy as an Etiology

I just ran across some interesting medical journal articles about something called channelopathy. This sounds like a strange word, like something from a fairy tale book but the word actually makes sense. The "pathy" in something means a disorder in the body while the "channel" part refers to the channels on the cell membrane. So channelopathy means there is disorders on the channels found on the cell. The main focus is on the ion channels, ions are electrically charged particles, this is also known as electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium, sodium and others.

The cell membrane are made up of certain types of fats that serve as the outer shell of the human cell. It acts as a structural piece but as also as a gate. This gate is like a door which lets things in but also lets things out. For instance, the cell may produce something (remember that cells do things, or perform tasks), they may produce a hormone like thyroid. That gate opens up on that thyroid cell and lets thyroid out into the bloodstream.

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Gates also let things in. For instance, you just ate some spinach. Spinach is just not spinach but has a whole host of things in that. We will look at magnesium as being one of those items found in spinach. Magnesium is a mineral which means it comes from the earth. Magnesium is pretty critical for human health and deficiencies of it show up in a number of disease such as cardiovascular, anxiety, high blood pressure and so on.

The gate (channel) opens and allows the magnesium into the cell. Magnesium is needed in the cell much like you need plastic to produce the widgets; without the magnesium, the cell does not work correctly which means you get sick.

There are many gates (channels) on the cell membrane. The researchers looked primarily at the ones controlling electrolytes. Electrolytes do many things including neurological, detoxification and energy production.

The researchers found these gates (channels) are damaged in a number of disease states that would be categorized as degenerative. Degenerative would be considered auto-immune, neurological problems and even cancer. There would be three possibilities the first would be a viral agent that is damaging the gates, the second would be a genetic problem and the last due to oxidative stress.
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There is not much you can do about the first two but the last one (oxidative stress) is largely the culprit. There is a good chance that reducing oxidative stress will take care of the viral issue and may not resolve the genetic defect but would allow the cells to act more normally).

Oxidative stress comes from a number of things including toxins found everywhere. Oxidation also comes from immune system activation and stress.

Anti-oxidants negate oxidants, if you reduce the oxidants then the gates work so you feel better. Nutrients are vital for proper functioning of the cells.

This article is for educational purposes only, this is not medical advice. If you have problems, consult your doctor first.




Monday, November 13, 2017

Kelvin Helmholzt Clouds

Kelvin Helmholzt clouds form as a result of two separate layers of air, one being warm, the other cold.













Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Sepsis II - detecting the pathogen

Abbott Labs has developed a groundbreaking diagnostic tool call Iridica. It uses advanced methods to detect over 1000 pathogens within hours. The video explains how important it is to identify the pathogens so proper treatment can be given.

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Vitamin C & Sepsis

Sepsis is a deadly infection that oftentimes shuts down the organ systems. Several studies have now shown the power of Vitamin C infusions that have changed the game of sepsis, saving lives. You can read more at the link below.

 http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/03/23/521096488/doctor-turns-up-possible-treatment-for-deadly-sepsis

Another study was done in 2010 showing the same results.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101117184457.htm

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Shawn

I lost a good friend today. I met Shawn 15 years ago where I was working. He was a new manager and I was a part time employee. I liked Shawn immediately. I was in the midst of a big struggle, I had lost about everything a person could lose, I was in the middle of a unrelenting disease that left me largely incapacitated, a broken spirit and few anchors to hold onto. You rethink everything in those moments, those are tough places to be. You need friends in those times and Shawn was that friend, a true soul brother.

Shawn was younger than I was and taught me many things that I possess to this day. I always try to learn something from others, lessons that are important. Kindness and mercy were the traits he largely possessed, traits that are missing from this world.

Shawn was authentic, real and possessed the virtues of love, he really cared for people and not in talk but in actions. He was filled with God's Light and Love and emitted that. He was a hero. We need heroes in this world, not ones that are athletic or billionaires but we need real people, these are the real heroes. We should learn from him how to have heroic compassion and truth. We will miss him but should consider ourselves fortunate to meet such a person. I will miss my friend and remember him always.



 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. -Revelation 21





Picture credit: By Ibrahim Iujaz from Rep. Of Maldives -

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Compassion


“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” 
― Dalai Lama XIV, The Art of Happiness

“Compassion is the basis of morality.” 
― Arthur Schopenhauer



Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Porphyria

                          *Disclaimer: This material is presented as educational which  means it is not a directive to either diagnosis or treatment, please consult your physician.


Porphyria is a disease that disturbs the body which includes reduced detoxification of the body, creates disturbances in the nervous system and other non specific issues. Many people with auto-immune diseases have signs of porphyria including multiple chemical sensitives (MCS), immune difficulties, nervous system disorders and so on.

Porphyrins are natural chemicals your body produces,if these chemicals (porphryins) build up then you get sick.  It is thought that this disease has roots in genetic mutations, in other words you inherited this malfunction. Some researchers suggest that it can occur due to chemical exposure (acquired the defect) which has damaged the DNA. With over 800 chemicals in the environment then this is well possible.

Porphyrins are necessary to produce heme. Heme is a group of various types of proteins, such as hemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochrome c, cytochrome p450, catalase and peroxidase. (1) These proteins play a key role in the body.



According to Steven Rochlitz Ph.D., porphyria may explain chronic illness. He states that people suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyletis (M.E.), Fibromyalgia, allergies to foods, chemicals and electromagnetic fields (EMF) and other inflammatory conditions may be suffering with porphyria. He says "Many people have a chronic illness or an environmental illness for which no one seems to have an answer to." (2)

Porphyria also affects the neurological system. Neurological pain, depression, anxiety, psychosis, delusions, mania, confusion, catatonia and others can result from porphyria.

The body has a number of pathways that help detoxify harmful chemicals and when the body cannot remove these then they build up which interfere in cell metabolism.

These chemicals can come from a number of sources which including normal metabolism and environmental toxins. The immune system produces very toxic chemicals which must be removed from the body. One of the pathways is the liver - in my observation and reading of other's plights, the liver becomes attacked during strong immune activity. This could be due to a number of factors including:

 1/ Increased oxidative stress due to the underlying infection.

 2/ Reduction of glutathione. Glutathione is a double acting peptide in which it is heavily used in immune reactions and secondly is involved in the the liver pathways.

3/ Change of endocrine responses. Immune involvement includes changes in the HPA axis. These changes force both homeostatic and endocrine responses which change the terrain of the body.

4/ Any change in these systems create abnormal nutrient status.

5/ Immune factors. The immune system pushes some very toxic chemicals into the blood stream including nitrogen and oxygen species, cytokines etc. These well may change the behavior of the cells.



Speak to your doctor about testing.Many people revert to the old school way of natural living meaning they avoid processed foods, cosmetics and personal care products that are chemical laden. Antioxidants and supporting detox pathways such as the liver could be helpful. Talk to your doctor before starting any program.

Read more
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porphyria
http://truemedicine.com.au/wp-content/uploads/1801porphyria.pdf


(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17785948

(2) http://truemedicine.com.au/wp-content/uploads/1801porphyria.pdf





Wednesday, February 8, 2017

3d Projects

Grab the mouse and move the image. You can see more at Sketchfab.

Walter Russell Part II

Here are some more works from Walter Russell.













Walter Russell

Walter Russell had many talents which included being a painter, sculptor, musician and a new perception of how creation was closely tied to science. Here are some of his works related to his studies about the connection between science and God. You can read more here.















Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Cristobal Vila

Another short film by Cristobal Vila. You can visit his website and view all of his impressive work at www.etereaestudios.com.




Friday, February 3, 2017

Trouvelot's Drawings

Here are a few of Etienne Leopold Trouvelot's illustrations he renedered in the 1800s. He was born in France and emigrated to the United States in his 20's. He was hired by the Harvard College Observatory and recreated his observations into works of art. You can view more at the New York Public Library Digital Collections.











Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Qi and Me

I like Eastern medicine because it makes sense. Eastern Medicine (Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine etc) has pulled me out of many issues. Their main goal is to go with the flow of nature and the creation of our bodies, mind and soul. They do not force things that are contrary to nature so they do not rely on synthetic remedies or trying to force something which only makes things worse.

They work to harmonize which means getting back to our roots which includes having a reasonable outlook on life, meaning to ground oneself in spirituality (psychological) and to use the earth and the fruits of it to balance the body.


In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), they view the body as an organism which means they see the whole body while in Western Medicine they pick a symptom and give you a remedy which usually consists of drugs,  surgery or some type of therapy. TCM uses very different forms of diagnostics which include looking at your tongue and feeling the pulse. Although this sounds ridiculous, they have identified numerous patterns which occur in both the tongue and pulse. Don't forget they have 3000 years of trial and error in doing this.

Qi (Chi) is a description of the energy that is present in living things, people have qi. The Chinese believe that this energy flows throughout the body much like an electrical grid. They also believe that there are specific circuits in that grid, for instance the liver meridian (pathway) or the gallbladder. When energy gets cut off then those systems do not function correctly. It is the job of the TCM practitioner to reestablish that energy flow and they do it with acupuncture and herbal medicines in most cases.

Stagnant Qi is a description of most Americans. It is a low energy state and a sign that the body, mind and spirit is in crisis mode. Western thinking is to disrupt the stagnant Qi with energy drinks and more stress while TCM would do the opposite. So Eastern thinking is put the round peg in the round hole while Western would just get a bigger hammer and smash it in. The first uses harmony while the second will break the peg into a thousand pieces causing more damage. Less is more in this situation.

TCM looks at a number of factors including toxic emotions. The toxic emotions are the ones likely found in Western culture who prizes materialism, pride, resentment, hatred and possessiveness as its virtues. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul in the process (Jesus -St Mark 8:36).

Stagnant Qi is also caused by a nutritional crisis. The cells of the body are dependent on raw materials in order to function correctly. When the cells do not receive life sustaining nutrients, they begin to be dysfunctional.

Stress causes Stagnant Qi and when the cycle of stress ensues then everything else goes down with it. The scholars of TCM believe that with the cascade of stress then the liver becomes imbalanced. This being one of the central hubs in the body then the remaining body becomes damaged. Anger and resentment are classic signs of liver imbalances (a toxic liver = toxic mind) and these toxic emotions only set off more trouble for the body.

We are not meant to live in a toxic Western society that demands obedience to an entitlement mentality. Getting back to our roots of proper nutrition, spirituality and rootedness will heal the mind, body and soul.

Read more about stagnation https://planetherbs.com/theory/the-five-stagnations.html


Thursday, January 12, 2017

The Good Samaritan

One of my favorite stories is the parable of the Good Samaritan. For those unfamiliar with this parable, Jesus told a story about a Jewish man who had been beaten, robbed and left for dead on the side of the road. He went on to tell the story of how his fellow Jews had passed by the man and it was the "lowly" Samaritan who bound his wounds, took him to the inn and gave him money. The joke of course was that the Samaritans were loathed by the Jewish people.

We can find people who need help everyday. It is our spiritual choice whether we ignore that person or become proactive and do something about that situation  When we have courage and embrace our humanity then the second choice is quite easy, after all people's actions (or lack of actions) define their spirituality.

I talked to one of my disabled friends today and she told me how she has been castigated by her own family because of her illness. When she addressed them about the neglect, they were silent and offered no apology. This is quite a common occurrence among my disabled friends, they are discriminated against because of their disability, a clear form of hatred.

Humans are tri-beings, meaning they are body and mind but also spiritual beings.  Neglect of our spiritual nature is the work of this world we live in today. What does it profit a person if they gain the whole world but lose their souls in the process?




Icelandic Lights



Monday, January 9, 2017

Magnesium

Magnesium is perhaps the most overlooked and important mineral in the body. It is responsible for hundreds of enzymatic functions and without it, the body spirals out of control. Magnesium depletion has been implicated in a number of diseases such as cardiovascular, immune, neurological and endocrine. Cells cannot function properly without magnesium.

Magnesium loss occurs in a number of situations, mostly stress related. Stress can come in a number of forms including emotional, physical, mental and biological stress. Biological stress is perhaps the least understood. Examples of biological stress would include pathogens such as viruses, rogue bacteria, parasitic infections and yeast/fungal infections. Other biological stressors would include environmental toxins and trauma. These events create a hostile environment within the body which reduces magnesium stores.

We derive nutrition from the soil and water. With commercial farming, there can be a depletion of the life giving minerals. Secondly with the processing of foods, we are losing essential nutrients and with additives, we are putting stress on the body to detoxify these chemicals.

Magnesium plays a key role in homeostatis which is a self-governing process in the body. Homeostasis mechanisms allow the body to maintain balances in the body, think of slipping on the ice, the body begins to shift the weight to other side in order to maintain balance so you don't fall.  When we can no longer maintain homeostatis then the body accumulates disease.

All energy comes from the cells, this is known as the Krebs Cycle. The body needs raw materials in order to produce energy, magnesium is one of the most important.

Read more