I Finally Started Juicing!!

I don’t know why it’s taken me 5 years to start juicing.  It didn’t seem to matter how many times I read or heard how great juicing would be for me. The thought of  buying an expensive juicer, only to clean it daily, and buy ingredients frequently, etc. sounded terrible.  I’m not much of a cook and I am so busy, I just never realized that I could fit it in my lifestyle.

I had been thinking about juicing for some time, but I owe it to a co-worker from Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Paulli, who gave me that kick in the rear to get going.  She said, “What are you waiting for?”  And I realized, I didn’t really have an answer.  No excuse was a good excuse. This was my health I was talking about!  Buying a juicer this month sounded unrealistic, but she was right, no amount of money was worth sacrificing my health.  If this was going to make me better, then seriously, what was I waiting for?

I realized that I could at least try and use my blender.  If it didn’t work, I could buy a juicer, no excuses. I finally took it out of the top cupboard and brought it to work and put it on the counter, the same day that I bought some juicing staples for the week.  I had a few of the ingredients already, like turmeric, cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar.

I chopped up a few stalks of celery, the entire cucumber, put a spoonful of turmeric, a spoonful of cayenne pepper, a splash of Apple cider vinegar, a splash of carrot juice that has omegas added, a splash of strawberry Kefir, and finally a splash of the green juice blend from Trader Joe’s.  And walla!  Instant juice drink!  The blender is detachable, so whatever I don’t drink, I just put in the fridge and blend again later.  In fact, day old juice tastes even better!  And the cleanup is super easy.  I just rinse out the blender and it’s ready to juice again!
It took me a bit to get used to the flavor, but I’ve actually acquired a taste for it now!  I’m planning on getting more ingredients…like parsley, ginger, almond milk, kale and whatever else I think would be great for reducing inflammation and adding antioxidants to my body.

Maybe it’s too soon to tell but I would swear that I can already feel a difference.  Two pitchers of smoothies later, I really think this is going to take me somewhere great.  It felt as though it was cleaning my body.  My intestinal health has never been great but since having had RA, it’s been extremely poor.  After juicing I felt like my intestines were saying “Hooray!”  Maybe that’s too much information, but I can feel a giant difference.   Thank you Paulli for your encouragement!

Stay tuned and I’ll let you know how this goes!  Please feel free to ask for advice on juicing.  I have some pretty strong opinions as to what you should and should not be drinking!

many hugs,

Sarah

Supplement substitutes (for Biologics)

Hello All!  If you are on a biologic, specifically for the treatment of an autoimmune disease or if you are considering one, then it’s important to realize how they work.  Here are a list of biologics that might be suggested to you:

• Actemra
• Cimzia
• Enbrel
• Humira
• Kineret
• Orencia
• Remicade
• Rituxan
• Simponi

Some of these biologics work by reducing tnf protein.  Those biologics include:

Cimzia, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, and Simponi.

In my opinion, Kineret appears to be the safest of all biologics.  It works by blocking the action of the chemical messenger interleukin-1.  The only real drawback is that it is a daily injection and it is expensive.  But I am not here to tell you about these drugs really, but I did want to give you a brief bit of information on them as we go forward.

There are in fact, supplements that reduce tnf protein.  I can’t say how they work in comparison to a biologic that also reduces tnf protein.  I can’t tell you how much you should take either.  But I will say that if you are on a homeopathic adventure to controlling your disease, then you may want to give several avenues a shot.  Like drugs, supplements are powerful and for lots of people, have been proven successful.  If you are smart about it, you will attack your disease like a doctor would and figure out what supplements might actually work.  If you have Rheumatoid Arthritis, chances are you have too much tnf protein.  You probably have too much Fibrin as well.  But let’s talk about supplements that naturally reduce tnf protein.  Here are your options:

N-AcetylCysteine-click link to learn more about how N-AcetylCysteine reduces tnf protein.

-reduces tnf protein, chelates metals, breaks up mucus, and fights cancer.  For dosage and precautions click here.  For product recommendations, click here.

Lactoferrin-click here to learn more about how Lactoferrin reduces tnf protein.

-binds iron, fights yeast, helping with anemia, reduces gut inflammation, reduces skin reactions, anti-microbial activity-fighting against ecoli, immune defense, anti-inflammatory.

Reishi Mushrooms-click here to learn more about how Reishi Mushrooms reduce tnf protein.

-antioxidant, treats mononucleosis, bronchitis, lowers cholesterol, fights cancer and inflammation and improves sleep

Resveratol-click here to learn more about how Resveratol reduces tnf protein.

-anti aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, lowers blood sugar and gives cardiovascular benefits.

Monolaurin (lauric acid)-click here to learn more about how Monolaurin reduces tnf protein.

-prevents heart disease, increases metabolism, lowers cholesterol, fights candida, anti-microbial and much more.

There are other supplements that lower tnf protein, but this at least gives you a start.  Off hand, I don’t know what they are but perhaps I could research and add to this list sometime. I just know that if you are fighting an auto-immune disease, it’s important to hit it at all angles and tnf protein is definitely one of them.  Good luck on your quest to health!

((GENTLE HUGS))!!-Sarah

Lactoferrin, A Miracle Supplement

I have always been on the lookout for a natural supplement that can do what an antibiotic does. But wait, Lactoferrin does so much more. The amount of information out there on Lactoferrin is unbelievable, and I’m wondering why it’s taken until now for me to even hear about it. Read on and you will discover Lactoferrin is a supplement you should consider if you want to fight viruses, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and inflammation in general. And for those who are tired of taking supplements or popping any more pills, I have the answer for you too. Bioactive Whey is a great source for Lactoferrin. Scoop it up and serve it in your favorite drink. Your immune system will thank you later….

“It’s an effective anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer agent and immune-boosting powerhouse. The FDA felt confident enough to approve its use as a spray on beef carcasses to kill E. coli 0157:H7, a particularly virulent disease-causing bacteria.”-Raw Milk Facts

Although further research needs to be made, Lactoferrin is believed to be helpful for the lungs whether they are inflammatory conditions such as Sarcoidosis, Cystic Fibroisis, or cancerous lungs. “Lactoferrin is a protein that is found naturally in milk, tears and saliva and can stop the growth of bacteria by preventing them forming ‘biofilms’ (when bacterial cells group together on a surface, such as the lining of the lung).”-European Medicine’s Agency

“Lactoferrin (LF), also known as lactotransferrin (LTF), is a globular multifunctional protein with antimicrobial activity (bacteriocide, fungicide) and is part of the innate defense, mainly at mucoses……….The combination of iron and lactoferrin in mucosal secretions modulate the ability and aggregation of pathogenic bacteria, and inhibit both bacteria and viruses by binding to host cells/viral particles. This inhibits the ability of bacteria and viruses to attach to cell membranes. It is also an antifungal agent.”-Wikipedia

If you’re taking drugs like Enbrel, Orencia, Humira, Amevive, Epogen Remicade or Herceptin, these are inhibitors of tnf-protein. The problem with these drugs is they come with a wide range of side effects, including some rare, but very serious ones which can be even more serious than the condition that you’re taking them for. “Lactoferrin released at sites of inflammation interacts with mononuclear cells (16) and suppresses the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) (6).”-Clinical and Vaccine Immunology

The possibilities of Lactoferrin seem endless.

Immunity:

“Lactoferrin is found throughout the human body and occurs in all secretions that bathe mucous membranes such as saliva, tears, bronchial and nasal secretions, hepatic bile, pancreatic fluids, and is an essential factor in the immune response. Lactoferrin is concentrated in oral cavities where it will come in direct contact with pathogens (i.e. viruses, bacteria, etc.) and kills or greatly suppresses these pathogens through a variety of different mechanisms. In fact, there are specific receptors for lactoferrin found on many key immune cells, such as lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages, and is known to be directly involved in the upregulation of natural killer (NK) cell activity. “-Life Extension

Anti-Viral:

“Lactoferrin has been found to both directly and indirectly inhibit several viruses that cause disease in humans. It directly inhibits viruses by binding to viral receptor sites, thus preventing the virus from infecting healthy cells. For example, in vitro studies have found that lactoferrin strongly binds to the V3 loop of the gp120 receptor on HIV-1 and HIV-2, resulting in inhibition of virus-cell fusion and entry of the virus into cells.10 In addition, lactoferrin indirectly kills or inhibits viruses by augmenting the systemic immune response to a viral invasion. It’s interesting to note that there is a systemic deficiency of lactoferrin in people with HIV infection.”-LifeExtension

Anti-Cancer:

“Perhaps one of the most promising uses for lactoferrin may be in its potential as a nontoxic adjuvant cancer treatment agent. Extensive in-vitro (test tube) and in-vivo research with animals has shown lactoferrin to be a powerful anti-cancer agent.”-LifeExtension

Colon and Lung Carcinomas:

“Sekine et al. have demonstrated in vivo prevention by bovine LF (bLF) of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and colon carcinomas in rats pretreated with azoxymethane and Bezault et al. found that injection of human lactoferrin (hLF) markedly inhibited tumor growth of solid tumors derived from v-ras transformed fibroblasts and a methl-cholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma as well as lung colonization by the B16-F10 melanoma in an expermintal metastasis mode.”-Clinical & Experimental Metastasis

Anti-microbial:

“One study looked at lactoferrin as a “natural antibiotic” and found that lactoferrin both in-vitro and in-vivo strongly inhibited the toxic bacteria helicobacter pylori. They stated “It is concluded that bovine (cows) lactoferrin has significant antimicrobial activity against helicobacter species in-vitro and in-vivo.”(16) Another study using both in-vitro and in-vivo methods added lactoferrin to the drinking water of mice and subjected them to the toxic microbe staphylococcal. The study found that the mice getting the lactoferrin as 2% of calories reduced kidney infections by 40% to 60% and reduced bacterial counts 5- to 12-fold. They concluded “the results suggest a potential for the use of lactoferrin as natural anti-bacterial proteins for preventing bacterial infections.”(17)-LifeExtension

Antioxidant: “‘Several studies suggest lactoferrin reduces oxidative stress. Diseases such as cancer, heart diseases and AIDS are all closely related to oxidative stress either as a causative factor or as a factor in progression of the disease. One study that examined the role of whey proteins, multifermented whey proteins and lactoferrin in oxidative stress made the bold statement, “We can conclude that whey protein, lactoferrin and multifermented whey are good candidates as dietary inhibitors of oxidative stress and should be considered as potential medicinal foods in various pathologies as HIV infection and cancer.'(21) “-LifeExtension

Skin:

• Repairs and purifies the skin
• Reduces itching
• Increases the skin’s defence mechanism
• Reduces red and burning skin

Healthy Gums:

“A wide range of research institutions are focusing on and conducting research into lactoferrin. Through exhaustive gene expression analysis and administration studies, Lion was able to find out that lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a pathogen produced by periodontal bacteria, not only stimulates the progress of periodontal disease but also increases the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, a condition known as “dyslipidemia,” which is one form of metabolic syndrome*. “-LION

Anemia:

“It is relevant in the battle against anemia because it appears to improve iron absorption from food and helps transport this essential mineral to wherever it’s needed.”-HF

Candida and Ecoli:

“Lactoferrin possesses two known direct anti-microbial peptides called lactoferricin B and lactoferrampin. Researchers exposed cells of Candida albicans and E. coli to lactoferrin and then watched what happened under a high power laser-scanning microscope. The lactoferrin was taken up into the cell membranes of both organisms within a few minutes, and then proceeded to disrupt the integrity of their cell membranes, which either kills them directly or enables the immune system to fight an easier battle. The researchers observed that it was the lactoferrampin peptide that disturbed Candida, whereas the lactoferricin B disrupted E. coli. This indicates that lactoferrin uses multiple strategies depending on the type of problem.”-Wellness Resources

Arthritis:

“We have recently shown that resistin is a key mediator of arthritis accumulating in the inflamed joints and exerting its pro-inflammatory properties independently of TNFalpha. Here we evaluate neutrophils as a cellular source of resistin. Human neutrophils were subjected to subcellular fractionation where the presence of resistin was assessed using western blot, ELISA, and mass spectrometry. Presence of resistin on the neutrophil surface was visualized by flow cytometry. More than 95% of the neutrophils in circulation and in synovial fluid express resistin on their surface. Stimulation of mature neutrophils with fMLF induced release of resistin into supernatants and increased expression of resistin on the surface. Resistin is mobilized simultaneously with lactoferrin, a protein found in specific granules, and with granule-stored CR3/CD11b. Subcellular fractionation of human neutrophils demonstrated the presence of resistin in azurophilic and in specific granules. Here we show that neutrophils have two pools of resistin, the major one exists in specific granules, and the second on their cell membrane. Release of resistin from the neutrophil granules probably serves the main source of resistin at the site of inflammation.”-PubMed

Crohn’s, Colitis, Irritable Bowl Syndrome and other Intestinal Issues:

Perfect for a disease like Chron’s, “Lactoferrin also inhibits gut inflammation….”-Journal Of The American College of Nutrition

“The observation that lactoferrin can inhibit local inflammation by inhibition of TNF- mediated immune responses predicts that lactoferrin exerts a similar antiinflammatory role at local sites of immune defense where the protein is expressed (e.g., the gastrointestinal tract, lung, uterus, etc).”-Journal Of The American College of Nutrition

Polypodium Leucotomos

[a.k.a. Kalawalla, Calaguala,Samambia, Anapsos]

Polypodium leucotomos extract comes from a tropical fern plant grown in Central and South America. Native Americans have used the plant extract for centuries for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and skin diseases. Recently, clinical research has shown that it has antioxidant and photoprotective properties and taken orally provides protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and other sources.-Derm Net NZ

The more I learn about supplements, the more I’m shocked and hopeful that my future with Rheumatoid Arthritis is nothing to fear. I started this blog because I’m on a quest to fix my Rheumatoid Arthritis, whatever that means. If you have an autoimmune disease then you are probably somewhat like me, always researching. I’ve had RA now for 2 1/2 years and I have come a long way. Please know that when I talk about supplements, I am in no way pushing anything, but rather, I am sharing my experience with you. I am in no way, shape or form connected with any sale of a product and since the beginning of this blog, have not made any money thus far to put towards my very expensive monthly regimen that keeps me fairly limber. I do hope that one day I can get “help” towards my costly supplements but if I don’t, I will survive because I’d rather starve than be without them. If there is a particular website mentioned to buy a product, then that’s only because I think they’re the cheapest, friendliest and fastest place to get it from, and not for any other reason whatsoever. I enjoy helping those who help me!

Today I started on Calaguala also known as “Kalawalla” from American Nutrition. It’s a blend of Polypodium Leucotomos and Samambaia Rhizome….now say that three times fast! Luckily, it’s in liquid form and this $15 bottle according to serving size, should last me ten days, which is a bit out of my means but if it works, then great! It’s also tasty thank goodness! I added it to my coffee and couldn’t even tell a difference. Each small droperfull has a naturally sweet flavor. I’m still on the lookout for something cheaper, so if anyone has any suggestions, do tell! I first heard about Polypodium Leucotomos in this months Shape magazine. It states:

Supplement your protection. Researchers have found that taking the extract of the South American fern Polypodium leucotomos (PL) in supplement form can help halt UV-induced skin damage and skin cancer. “In human studies, PL has been shown to decrease inflammation and prevent cellular mutations and photoaging,” says Leslie Baumann, M.D., a Miami Beach dermatologist.

Anything about inflammation and I immediate look it up. Just as I suspected, this extract not only does wonders for your skin but for autoimmune disorders such as Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus, to name a few. I found dozens of people on the Internet that claim this stuff works. Here’s a quote from someone on Revolution Health:

This stuff is GREAT!For the first time in 4 years I am feeling almost normal. I mean when I used to sleep my legs were tingling and felt weird. Now I don’t notice them anymore. My stamina is increasing and I can almost walk again. My eyesight is greatly improved. I think I can now drive again! It has only been 1 month. I can’t wait till the end of 6 months. I’ll let you know what happens…….

News Flash! Kalawalla is ok as I mentioned. However this is still not fast enough.

It sounds like to me, like with everything else and autoimmune diseases, there’s simply no cure-all. Once you start feeling better you expect to continue to feel better, and better and better….. but it seems like a drug or a supplement can only do so much. It doesn’t matter if you’re on steroids, chemotherapy drugs, CRAB drugs, antibiotics, or supplements. The reality is, inflammation and the disease process is complicated. My thoughts are, if you find something that’s working for you and it improves your immune system, then stay on it because who knows how you’ll do in the future…maybe even better. I also find that a lot of people give up on supplements early on whereas if their doctor tells them that for example, methotrexate may not work for four months, they’ll stick with it for four months. I can tell you FOR SURE that both Low Dose Naltrexone and Serracor-NK work for me but it took at least two months. I still have inflammation. I don’t have flares but there is still some inflammation in my fingers and wrists. The longer the inflammation exists, the more damage that is done, plain and simple. Compared to where I was earlier in the disease process which meant I was nearly unable to bath and cloth myself, I feel like a million bucks. I am hoping that soon I can stop the inflammation for good in my fingers and wrists. I’m happy that Kalawalla comes in liquid form because it’s one less pill I have to take. And I’m happy that there’s yet one more option out there for me.

Supplements are tricky too. My brother told me over the weekend, “more isn’t necessarily better”. I explained to him that each supplement works differently and that inflammation is complicated. Inflammation can be caused by a variety of things and it can cause a variety of things! My journey can feel very alone at times as I try my best to make scientifically based decisions on what to put into my body. If you think about it, if you’re seeing a doctor for Rheumatoid Arthritis, something I understand well, you start out with NSAIDS. When those don’t work you ADD Prednisone. When the RA progresses, you ADD Methotrexate or Sulfasalazine. Then your doctor might suggest to ADD Plaquenil and later, a Biologic. It’s like there’s no end to adding and adding of the drugs. Some people may think I’m taking too many supplements but the reality is, if I were on normal RA drugs, I’d be on multiple ones. At one point in time, early on in the diagnosis, I was taking Prednisone, Sulfasalazine, NSAIDS and Methotrexate. And you know what? I STILL wasn’t in remission!!! That’s why I stopped everything and figured, Heck, maybe there’s something else out there that works and doesn’t ruin my body in the meantime. RA is damaging enough to my body and I’d rather not take on all the damage that happens when you take steroids, NSAIDS and DMARDS long term. A recent article inWebMD states, “Biologics for Rheumatoid Arthritis: No Cure-all” explains that Biologics aren’t all that promising either-WebMD. So that is why I’m always touting about supplements. I think they’re safer and make you feel better…..but this is my story and my journey so it’s up to you to decide what’s best for you.

Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much research on PL. According to About.com,

“Studies on Polypodium leucotomos, which have mainly been animal or test tube studies, have found that Polypodium leucotomos is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory and immune effects.”

I’m not one to shy away from experimentations ever since LDN, a drug that sounded too good to be true, and decreased dramatically the amount of inflammation in my body. Hopefully soon I’ll know whether PL is really working. For now, all I can do is hope that total remission is just around the corner.

Eat Your Blues Away

Recent findings show that blueberries are just as effective as cranberries for Urinary Tract Infections. Blueberries are also one of the world’s best antioxidants. Along with solving UTI’s, “Growing evidence from tissue culture, animal, and clinical models suggests that the flavonoid-rich fruits of the North American cranberry and blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) have the potential ability to limit the development and severity of certain cancers and vascular diseases including atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases of aging.”

I know a woman with a lot of health problems, and a lot of pain. A survivor of Colon Cancer, she’s still plagued by illnesses and pains and takes many medications. Recently she went to Trader Joe’s and found their Wild Blueberries in the frozen food section. She began making blueberry smoothies as her morning breakfast routine. She called me one day, boasting that her pains had disappeared and that she felt much better. She swore up and down that it was the blueberry smoothies, that she just knew it!

Knowing that blueberries are natural anti-inflammatories with UTI benefits and potentially cancer fighting ingredients, I had to wonder….were the blueberries relieving her of pain or was it just a mere coincidence?

Regardless of whether or not it is a coincidence, the facts still remain that they do have amazing antioxidant capabilities. So eat your blues away, blueberries that is, and enjoy their delicious possibilities!