Guest guest Posted November 13, 2004 Report Share Posted November 13, 2004 Sweet Relief Health Sciences Institute e-Alert November 11, 2004 Last week I told you how heartburn medications may sharply increase the risk of pneumonia ("Acid Washed" 11/4/04). For some, this risk might be acceptable in order to get some much- needed relief from chronic heartburn or acid reflux. The sad truth, however, is that this tradeoff is not a good one simply because heartburn and acid reflux drugs often worsen the very problem they're designed to relieve. The alternative? HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., to the rescue! ------------------------------------------------------------- Acid is not the problem ------------------------------------------------------------ In the e-Alert "Fire Down Below" (12/23/02), Dr. Spreen shared a natural therapy he's used in his practice to successfully treat many cases of heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion. In response, I received questions about the treatment, and Dr. Spreen addressed those in follow-up e-Alerts. So today, I'll combine most of that information for the benefit of the many new e-Alert readers we've added over the past two years. Dr. Spreen describes his treatment as "ridiculously simple and cheap." So far so good! And while he feels confident that he can stop more than 2/3 of all heartburn and reflux cases, he notes that the most difficult situations (such as overt ulcers and other serious gastro intestinal illnesses) will require a more aggressive approach. For the remaining 66+ percent of cases, a treatment consisting primarily of acidophilus and digestive enzymes will do the trick. In Dr. Spreen's words: "Acidophilus supplements (powder form, the liquid tastes awful) protect the esophagus without killing acid (while killing the pain almost immediately). The hassle is, you have to keep it handy and take it often if you don't solve the whole problem, which involves tightening the GE sphincter. That can be done using the English herbs (Potter's Acidosis) or by improving the environment of the stomach, which then tightens the junction on its own but requires a bit more effort. "When the stomach is low on acid it tends to also be low on digestive enzymes. Believe it or not, the solution (along with acidophilus protection) is to ADD acid and digestive enzymes at the same time. Remember, it isn't acid that's the problem (you need it desperately for digestion); it's acid reaching the esophagus. "Proper digestion allows for higher concentration of acid while tightening the GE junction and protecting the esophagus. I do that using Super Enzymes by TwinLab, two capsules at mid-meal. I hate to push just one company, but it's one of the few enzymes that includes betaine hydrochloride, a plant-based form of acid like what's in the stomach (you hope) - plus it's available everywhere. I'm sure there are others. "A trick with acidophilus capsules is that, with reflux, you must open the capsule and let the saliva carry it down the throat to the stomach. Dose is no problem, as the supplement represents a sample of the billions of 'good guy' bacteria that you want in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract (and in which most people are woefully deficient)." ------------------------------------------------------------ More on Potter's ------------------------------------------------------------ After I sent you "Fire Down Below," a member named Bob wrote to request "a suggestion for acidophilus powder supplement, as well as an explanation of Potter's Acidosis." Acidophilus is available at most supplement stores and through many Internet sources. And according to Dr. Spreen, refrigerated varieties in capsules or powder form are best. He writes: "They should be measured in billions (with a 'B') of cfu (colony-forming units). You take 1/4-1/2 teaspoonful (or equivalent capsules by opening them) right before meals and bedtime, plus anytime that you experience the burning. It's best to just let the saliva take the substance down the throat, but a few sips of water are okay. "It's possible to be sensitive to high doses of acidophilus, but uncommon, and even less so if there's a chance of levels being low (as in reflux problems). If that occurs you just stop or lower the dose temporarily and then see how much you can build back up to." We first told you about Potter's Acidosis in an HSI Members Alert about two years ago. This unique herbal formulation consists of three natural ingredients: * Meadowsweet is a flower, used for centuries as an astringent and an antacid, and is a proven anti-inflammatory. * Medicinal vegetable charcoal works to absorb toxic matter in the stomach and neutralize excess acid. * Rhubarb is also a known astringent and digestive aid. Together, these botanicals make Potter's Acidosis a powerful natural remedy for indigestion, acid reflux, and other types of stomach problems. Potter's Acidosis is made by Potter's Herbal Medicines, a British company. You can call Potter's directly at this number: 011-44- 1942-405100. Or you can order Potter's Acidosis online from either of these web sites: herbal-direct.com, or academyhealth.com. At this time, the only sources for Potter's Acidosis are in the United Kingdom, so note that the prices are listed in UK pounds. .....and another thing Now that your heartburn is cleared up, put a big pot on the stove and get ready for some healing comfort food. Quite a few HSI members wrote to ask for Grandma's Chicken Soup recipe after I sent you the e-Alert "Chicken Soup for the Flu Shot Soul" (10/21/04). A researcher at the University of Nebraska studied samples of his grandmother's chicken soup and determined that the soup actually triggered cold and flu-fighting reactions in the body. Not only that – I'm sure it also tastes great. (Would Grandma make a soup that didn't?) The editors of the journal Chest kindly gave me permission to reprint the recipe just as it appears in the published study. Grandma's Chicken Soup * 1 5 to 6 lb stewing hen or baking chicken * 1 package of chicken wings * 3 large onions * 1 large sweet potato * 3 parsnips * 2 turnips * 11 to 12 large carrots * 5 to 6 celery stems * 1 bunch of parsley Clean the chicken, put it in a large pot, and cover it with cold water. Bring the water to a boil. Add the chicken wings, onions, sweet potato, parsnips, turnips, and carrots. Boil about 1.5 h. Remove fat from the surface as it accumulates. Add the parsley and celery. Cook the mixture about 45 min longer. Remove the chicken. The chicken is not used further for the soup. (The meat makes excellent chicken parmesan.) Put the vegetables in a food processor until they are chopped fine or pass through a strainer. Salt and pepper to taste. The author of the study, Rennard, M.D., notes that the soup freezes well. So go ahead – make a big pot to have standing by for whatever TLC emergencies might arise this cold and flu season. To Your Good Health, Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: "Chicken Soup Inhibits Neutrophil Chemotaxis In Vitro" Chest, Vol. 118, No. 4, October 2000, chestjournal.org Copyright ©1997-2004 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. http://vanokat.wholefoodfarmacy.com/ LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.Have nothing to do with the evil deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:11 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:12). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2005 Report Share Posted January 31, 2005 Joe, about 15-20% of victims clear the virus within the first six months after the initial infection. Such a person will show 'positive' on a standard test for HCV but a subsequent HCV RNA test is necessary to confirm " live " virus. Suzy > Great news to hear such success. Is this spontaneous recovery? I mean does > the body just rid itself of the active virus without any treatment? > Joe > > In a message dated 1/29/2005 12:41:09 PM Central Standard Time, > suzygriffin@s... writes: > Dear ! > I was just contemplating sending you an email to find out how you > are doing...and here's your post! How fantastic How miraculous How > blessed you are!!!!! > > Your body cleared the virus on its own! Yes! > > Everything else is now not so bad. Hang in there. > > Love, Suzy > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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