Flu Patterns
Why does the flu/influenza come and go? Where does it go when it doesn’t come? Hmm…Points to ponder.

Viral diseases erupt as vitamin D blood levels decline. Could it be due to less sunshine exposure? It makes sense as far fewer people have colds/flu during the summer.

It would be interesting to compare the coronavirus infection ratio of the United States to that of say the Caribbean Islands, Central America, or Africa for more insight.

Quarantines May Backfire
The coronavirus epidemic may worsen with quarantine. That is what happened on a cruise ship off the coast of Japan and in Italy. Coercing people to stay indoors further lowers vitamin D levels.

After close to a month of quarantine on the Diamond Princess, the number of confirmed cases out of 3711 people quarantined on the boat who became infected rose from 174 to 712. Perhaps the increase is due to deprivation of sunlight. Or perhaps it is the poor or recirculated air in a small confine of a cabin room or apartment.

Regardless, The CAT was out of the BAG on this virus a long time ago (it was first reported in 2019) so I suspect the virus has been in the U.S. for some time and we did not know it. Any early cases were probably attributed to the flu. A headline from USA Today from January 27, 2020 said: “Rush is on to develop vaccine for coronavirus.” (the online version was dated Jan. 24).

Pray for an Early Spring
It is pure speculation at this time, but since the “common cold” versions of coronaviruses are seasonal, COVID-19 may act similarly. It is worth considering. Seasonal coronaviruses favor cool, dry climates. Therefore, looking forward to April and May, with the onset of Spring and more intense sun rays, the epidemic may vanish.

The President of the United States said on February 27 that: “It’s going to disappear. One day — it’s like a miracle — it will disappear.”

Whether it is by Vitamin D or something else, this too will end.

In the meantime, there is vitamin D in a bottle. Click this link to see how a little bit of vitamin D can quell viruses.

The Probiotic Constitution is now available in audiobook format via ACX.

ACX audiobooks are distributed through Audible, Amazon, and iTunes—proven industry leaders.

You may find the audiobook at the following link:
The Pobiotic Consitution - in audio book format on Audible

The following promotion codes will activate a FREE download for the first three users in the US @ audible.com/acx-promo:
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Mayo Clinic-Approved Natural Remedies for Anxiety
Kava
Kava appeared to be a promising treatment for anxiety, but reports of serious liver damage — even with short-term use — caused the Food and Drug Administration to issue warnings about the use of dietary supplements containing kava.
While these initial reports of liver toxicity have been questioned, use extra caution and involve your doctor in the decision if you’re considering using products containing kava.
Passion flower 
A few small clinical trials suggest that passion flower might help with anxiety. In many commercial products, passion flower is combined with other herbs, making it difficult to distinguish the unique qualities of each herb.
Passion flower is generally considered safe when taken as directed, but some studies found it can cause drowsiness, dizziness and confusion.
Valerian
In some studies, people who used valerian reported less anxiety and stress. In other studies, people reported no benefit.
Valerian is generally considered safe at recommended doses, but since long-term safety trials are lacking, don’t take it for more than a few weeks at a time, unless your doctor approves.
It can cause some side effects such as headaches, dizziness and drowsiness.
Chamomile
Limited data shows that short-term use of chamomile is generally considered safe and can be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety.
But chamomile can increase the risk of bleeding when used with blood-thinning drugs.
Use of chamomile can cause allergic reactions in some people who are sensitive to the family of plants that includes chamomile. Other members of this family are ragweed, marigolds, daisies and chrysanthemums.
Lavender
Some evidence suggests that oral lavender or aromatherapy with lavender can reduce anxiety; however, evidence is preliminary and limited. Oral lavender can cause constipation and headaches. It can also increase appetite, increase the sedative effect of other medications and supplements, and cause low blood pressure.
Lemon balm
​Preliminary research shows lemon balm can reduce some symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and excitability. Lemon balm is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for short-term use, but can cause nausea and abdominal pain.
Herbal supplements aren’t monitored by the FDA the same way medications are. Despite enhanced quality control regulations in place since 2010, the quality of some supplements may still be an issue. Remember, natural doesn’t always mean safe.
If you’re considering taking any herbal supplement as a treatment for anxiety, talk to your health care provider first, especially if you take other medications. The interaction of some herbal supplements and certain medications can cause serious side effects.
Some herbal supplements taken for anxiety can cause you to feel sleepy, so they may not be safe to take when driving or doing dangerous tasks. Your doctor can help you understand possible risks and benefits if you choose to try an herbal supplement.
If your anxiety is interfering with daily activities, talk with your doctor. More-serious forms of anxiety generally need medical treatment or psychological counseling (psychotherapy) for symptoms to improve.
This article is written by Brent Bauer, M.D., director of Mayo Clinic’s Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program. Find more health and medical information on mayoclinic.org.

Dear Readers, I have been very busy during the past year with my work on my latest research and book. I am happy to announce that my latest book has been completed just in time for the fall reading season and upcoming holidays. The Probiotic Constitution is available on Amazon. Consider this book as a compliment to Remedy. I do believe it will be well received and am excited about the release.

It is a go-to book for deciphering the confusing world of probiotics. A MUST READ for anyone suffering from a digestive illness and wants an additional weapon and knowledge in their alternative path to healing.

I am pleased to announce that Remedy: How I Cured the Incurable was blessed to receive another award. This time with the Xulon Press Christian Author Awards. Remedy was third place in the HEALTH category. Thank you to everyone for their support.

I am very pleased to announce that the October 2017 issue of the Midwest Book Review online book review magazine "Small Press Bookwatch" features a review of "Remedy: How I Cured The Incurable".

This was the only selection under the Health/Medicine Shelf. It was an honor to receive this distinction for Remedy as Midwest Book Review is completely independent in their reviews and highly respected in the industry. Find the review here.

Critique from Midwest Book Review: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Remedy: How I Cured The Incurable" is a 'must read" for the estimated 60 to 80 million Americans suffer from digestive ailments. While unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library Alternative Medicine instructional reference collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Remedy: How I Cured The Incurable" is also available in a digital book format.

Available in paperback and eBook. Use the eBook “Look Inside” option for a preview. Amazon Link

"Winter is Coming" was the first episode of the HBO thrilling series Game of Thrones.

While that is an excellent show to watch, people suffering or susceptible to IBD should be concerned about winter coming for other reasons if they live in northern latitudes. With the season change comes the cold, shorter days, and cloudy skies. This means less natural Vitamin D..

There are a few reasons to be concerned about this and why someone with IBD should consider taking supplemental Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin. Take away the sunshine and there goes the Vitamin D because it is produced when the sun's ultra-violet rays hit the skin.

Epidemiological research shows people who live in northern latitudes are more at risk of having inadequate levels of Vitamin D compared to those who live in southern latitudes.

A study published in the journal Gut shows geography also affects the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): increasing latitude of residence was linked to an elevated incidence of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in a population of American women. Another study published in the journal Gastroenterology demonstrated a connection between higher Vitamin D status and lower Crohn’s disease, suggesting greater Vitamin D intake is a means of decreasing the risk of Crohn’s disease. Emerging research is pointing to Vitamin D and its role in the inflammatory process, and as a factor in the disease activity in patients with IBD, according to Dr. Gilaad Kaplan, a gastroenterologist with a research interest in IBD and Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary. 

As if this is not enough of a reason to take supplemental Vitamin D during the winter months, here is another one: A high prevalence of Osteoporosis is associated with Crohn’s and Colitis. One of the risk factors for Crohn’s and Colitis patients developing Osteoporosis is inadequate levels of Vitamin D.

There are two choices that I know of for adding supplemental Vitamin D. One is through purchasing capsules at the health food store. Another means is having a physician prescribe sublingual Vitamin D drops. These are typically available through prescription via compounding pharmacies.

One other thing, it is outside of the scope of this posting to delve into dosage levels. Recommendations for dosage levels do vary depending on the source from what I have seen. It is best to consult with your physician especially if you are taking other prescription medications.

Many, many thanks to Jackie for providing this excellent post. :-) Visit her at hyper-tidy.com.

If you live with the symptoms of chronic pain, you are already well aware of exactly how disruptive and debilitating it can be. Everything from the weather outside to the foods we eat can trigger excruciating pain. Persistent, ongoing pain episodes can prevent you from enjoying your favorite activities. Even worse, your symptoms can linger for weeks, months, years, or even decades.
 
Some forms of chronic pain - such as migraine headaches - are among the most common health conditions in the world. Unfortunately, many over-the-counter and prescription pain medications are not helpful in completely relieving chronic pain symptoms. This is leading to an epidemic in abuse of pain relief medications.
 
Luckily, there are still ways that you can manage your chronic pain symptoms - possibly even without turning to medications. Here are some natural solutions and lifestyle changes that might provide you some much-needed light at the end of the tunnel:

1. Switch to safer cleaning products
   One step in managing your symptoms is to reduce the amount of chemicals and toxins in your home. Not only is this better for the environment and healthier for your family; it’s also less likely to trigger a pain episode.
   
   Research shows us that chemicals and toxins are triggers for chronic pain. Natural cleaning products such as essential oils, do not contain these harmful chemicals and toxins.
   
   According to Dr. Amy Neuzil, ND, “Many viruses can become chronic and often show up as non-specific symptoms or diseases” which might include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or even chronic pain. This is why chemical-free household cleaners and naturally-derived essential oils, such as four thieves or eucalyptus, can be especially useful to those of us with chronic pain.
   
   
2. Use natural pain killers
   As anyone with chronic pain already knows, pain medications don’t always work and can lead to addiction. Switching to natural pain killers helps you to feel better without having to worry about addiction or putting harmful chemicals into your body. For instance, marjoram essential oil has been used for generations to reduce pain and ease muscle cramps - among other things.
   
   
3. Ask for help
   Simple chores such as cleaning your home can be surprisingly difficult when you are living with chronic pain. Try to keep your home as tidy and manageable as possible, but give yourself permission to ask for help if you need it. See if a friend or family member will help you, or consider hiring a housekeeper. Do whatever you can to relieve yourself of some pain and worry.
   
   To help reduce stress, experts suggest minimizing your workload whenever possible. If it is within your budget, you might want to consider hiring help with particularly painful and/or difficult household tasks. This might include chores such as high dusting, vacuuming, or giving the dog a bath. If you are unable to afford a housekeeper, you may want to ask a trusted friend, family member, or loved one if they might be able to help you. Our loved ones don’t want to watch us suffer, and there’s a good chance that someone you know might be willing to assist.

 
These are just a few of the ways that you can begin to heal your body from chronic pain. Although some chronic pain conditions clear up on their own, others might last a lifetime. It is important to manage your symptoms and help your body heal itself, so that you can get back to a quality of life that you enjoy.



Photo courtesy of Unsplash by Angie Franklin
​

If you are afflicted with a critical debilitative illness and are not a praying person, now would be an excellent time to start. Prayer changes things, and there are a number of scientific studies that show it can hasten healing, both mental and physical.

And of course there is my story. Prayer and Faith were a big part of my healing. :-) 

Here is a video from Oprah's Soul Series. It is a three-part interview with Dr. Larry Dossey about the power of prayer and its place in modern medicine.

I'm very excited to announce that my book "REMEDY: How I Cured the Incurable" has been published and  is now available for the summer reading season. 

I am excited to be able to provide this item for your health and healing. I apologize for the delays but in the end you will be receiving a better product.

eBook, and Published Paperback book versions . These may be ordered through Amazon, and through traditional book stores such as Barnes & Noble & Books A Million. 

Barnes & Noble Link

Amazon Link

Support your local bookstore when possible. They are able to order my book as well. Click the screen grab below for great service from a local store near me. :-)