I've Got Insomnia...

Well, I have to believe that this post has hit home with everyone of us at sometime in our lives. Reportedly some 64 million Americans suffer from Insomnia every year. Having Insomnia is definitely not a fun thing to go through. Getting a good nights sleep seems so easy, but unfortunately it cannot be. Yes, Insomnia can leave you you feeling, acting, and looking like a Zombie (bad hair included), but there is much more to it. What's is causing it, how is it effecting your health, and what can you do to stop it?



Insomnia can be caused by so many things. TO MANY THINGS. But anyway, let the list begin... It can be caused by stress, anxiety, and depression (all three possibly stemming from a relationship, work,  financial, or health matters), pain (physical), noise (from in or outside the home), caffeine (from coffee, soda, tea, or energy drinks), to much alcohol (more than the therapeutic one drink for women and two for men), physical activity (working out before bedtime), nicotine from cigarette smoking, sugar (from candy, soda, or snacks), prescription drugs, OTC weight loss pills, hormonal imbalance (MENOPAUSE, serotonin, or actylcholine), changing of your work schedule (this is known as changing/disrupting your biological rhythm), eating late or before bedtime, sleep apnea (this is temporarily stopping to breathe while sleeping), substance abuse, and even Restless Legs Syndrome.

Unfortunately, there are health risks and consequences from Insomnia too. You will find these range from: a slower metabolism, mood swings, slurred speech, decreased cognitive ability (not making correct decisions at home, work, financially, etc...), decreased alertness (falling asleep on the job, increased chance of car accidents), Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, psychiatric disorders (delusional), not enough recovery time for the body to heal itself from an ailment, lack of time needed for younger people to properly grow, the body to cleanse itself, loss of memory, increased fatigue, loss of productivity at work, and muscle aches.

Now, here is the laundry list of goodies for you to try so you can STOP THE INSOMNIA and get that healthy good nights sleep. These would include: new pillows, "white noise" (the constant humming sound of a fan or a furnace), relaxing music/sound machine (the sounds of the ocean, crickets and frogs, classical music, etc...), total darkness (turn off all lights, computers, shut all shades, etc...), reading, a massage, a shower or bath, antihistamines (Benadryl - used commonly in nursing homes and hospitals), tryptophan (from a supplement or milk), hypnosis (sessions with a therapist or from a preprogrammed music cd), exercise (must be 4 hours or more from bedtime), turn off your cell phone, turn off the laptop, turn the clock away so you cannot see the time, turn off the television (if you feel it helps, then set the timer to automatically turn off in an hour), ear plugs, eye mask, eye pillow (a lightly weighted soft pillow, may contain soothing herbs, that sits across both eyes - no straps), meditation, visualization, praying, no napping during the day, sexual activity, herbs (they can be a supplement or in a tea - Chamomile, Lavender, Valerian, Kava Kava, or St. John's Wort), aromatherapy (please don't use candles, but place loose herbs in a bowl next to your bed), prescription drugs (Ambien or Lunesta), OTC medications (Alteril, Tylenol PM, Advil PM, or Unisom), go to bed at the same time every night, sublingual Melatonin (puts you to sleep in about 30 minutes and you hit your REM cycle faster), be organized for the next days events so your mind is free/relaxed/clear, keep the bedroom temperature cool, a new mattress, slow and deep breathing exercises, try sleeping on your side, have your doctor schedule you with a Sleep Disorder Clinic, spend time outdoors and getting fresh air, don't drink an excessive amount of liquids (you don't need to make a lot of trips to the bathroom), and Mantram (this is repeating over and over certain words or phrases that help you bring together consciousness and counteract negative thoughts - for example try repeating, "Let the Lord bring love, health, peace, and prosperity to all").

So to conclude this post on Insomnia, once you get it figured out, the optimum healthy number of hours of sleep you need is 7 to 8.

Insomnia Definition Link

Buy Sublingual Melatonin Link
Buy Trytophan Supplement Link

Buy Alteril Link

Buy Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy CD Link

Ambien Drug Definition Link

Lunesta Drug Definition Link
Buy Eye Pillow Link

It's White Tea...

No, this isn't the ever popular green tea. Nope, not black tea either. It's White Tea! Yeah! Ok, settle down people. Everyone's getting to excited already and we haven't gotten as to why were so excited about White Tea.

White Tea originated from China in about 600 A.D. to 900 A.D.. Back then, it was consumed only by Chinese Royalty. But, it wasn't until the beginning of the Ming Dynasty in the mid 1300's A.D., that White Tea became available to more of the Chinese population. Then, sometime in the 1800's A.D., it made it's way to North America. White Tea comes from the same plant that green and black tea comes from - the Camilla Sinensis plant. So how can these teas come from the same plant yet each be different? It all has to do with when it's harvested from the plants stage of growth and the fermentation process afterwards. White Tea is harvested when the plants buds have not opened up and there is still a silver fuzz covering the bud. When the bud dries, the silver fuzz turns into what looks like white hairs. These white buds collected are also known as "white pearls". Very simply, they are round, white haired, and about the same size as a pearl from an oyster. As far as the process of manufacturing White Tea, it is the easiest of all teas. You harvest, let the bud briefly dry, and then lightly steam. Though, what makes White Tea so different goes back to the harvesting. ONLY IMMATURE BUDS (closed and not opened) COMPLETELY COVERED WITH THE SILVER FUZZ ARE HARVESTED FOR WHITE TEA. This, along with the simple manufacturing process, gives White Tea a pale color with a naturally "sweet and silky" taste. All that sounds great, but this is a Health and Wellness Blog. How will this help me?

Yes, White Tea does have numerous health benefits. First, since the White Tea is harvested in it's immature stage and has minimal manufacturing/processing done to it, it allows the tea buds to be up to 10x more stronger as an antioxidant than any other teas. This means it is 10x stronger to fight and kill those cancer causing cells that cause colon, stomach, and prostate cancer. Also due to it's antioxidant strength, it assists your immune system in fighting off viruses and bacterias. This was concluded in a 2004 study at Pace University. Now, the health benefits of White Tea don't stop here. Other benefits include: weight loss, prevention of dental plaque, prevention of canerous tumors, protection of skin from UV sun rays, reduces severity of strokes, increased energy, reduces fungus growth, lowers your cholesterol, thins your blood, gives greater bone density, reduces blood sugar for diabetics, and is an extremely high anti-inflammatory which is great for anyone having any autoimmune disease. 

So, any thoughts of White Tea now? It maybe a good idea to incorporate this in your diet huh? A cup of White Tea a day just may help keep the doctor away...

White Tea Definition Link

Buy Organic White Tea Bags Link

Buy Loose White Tea Link

Buy White Tea Extract Link

Buy Green & White Tea Combo Capsules Link

Buy Inko's White Tea Drinks Link



Do You Need CoQ10...

Do you need CoQ10? Will it help your health out in anyway? I know you've seen the latest commercials plastered on tv about this. So, maybe I'll ask the question this way. Do you have a need for something that:

• Prevents heart disease
• Lowers your blood pressure
• Is a strong antioxidant
• Helps against depression
• Increases your energy
• Prevents gum disease
• Helps regenerate vitamin E
• Reduces migrane headaches
• Relieves the side effects from cancer treatments
• Slows the progression of Parkinson's Disease
• Helps repair damaged skin
• Boosts your immune system

That list above sure sounds like some heavy duty benefits of CoQ10 if you ask me. This is exactly why we have all heard, read, or seen information about this more and more over the past few years. CoQ10 is actually naturally produced by the body, but the levels produced decrease as we get older. Kind of a reoccuring theme huh. As we get older, the body slows down and requires more attention (proper maintenance) to remain strong and healthy. So, this is why you may want take CoQ10 as a supplement or eat foods that have naturally higher amounts of it. Now, if you want to lean towards taking it as a supplement, the daily recommended dosages range from 50mgs to 300mgs. As you will find out, CoQ10 is not cheap. But, I say to you that being healthy is truly "priceless". So, maybe it's not that expensive after all huh? Please consult your doctor for proper dosing. Most likely you will find it's a Holistic doctor that will be more informed on taking CoQ10. The sole reason is that Holistic doctors have an expanded knowledge into nutrition, vitamins/minerals, herbs, acupuncture, meditation, etc...

If you decide you wish to eat more foods that naturally have higher amounts of CoQ10, then that's perfectly fine too. See the link below labeled: CoQ10 Food Composition Table Link. Midway down to the bottom of article will be a table with 98 different foods and their respective CoQ10 content.

There is one final and very important thing that should be noted about CoQ10. If you are taking "statins" because you have high cholesterol and/or high blood pressure (drugs such as Lipitor or Zocor), these types of drugs can reduce the body's synthesis of CoQ10 by up to 40%. Therefore, your doctor will suggest for you a higher dose of CoQ10 to help offset this.

CoQ10 Definition Link
Purchase CoQ10 Link
CoQ10 Food Composition Table Link

Proper Nutrition and Detoxifying is a Must...

Of the nearly 50 posts I have on my Health and Wellness Blog, I see this one as being the "foundation" of the entire blog. It's a culmination of my 15 years of personal health issues, the various doctors I've been treated by, all the therapies I've been through, the two clinical studies I was involved in, the drugs, vitamins/minerals, herbs, teas, acupuncture, the research I've done over the years, listening to others health experiences, and much, much, more. So yes, traveling down this road has lead me to this post probably being the most important that I can write about. To achieve your own health to be it's best, for any drug, therapy, clinical study, supplement, and so on, to work and achieve it's fullest potential and ability to help you, it is mandatory you do the following. You must put in your body the PROPER NUTRITION AND DETOXIFY your system. Why is this so important? Because the "magic bullet" to keep you healthy or to instantly cure you, does not exist. Yes, Western, Eastern, Holistic, and Homeopathic medicines do work. There is no disputing that. But, long lasting health does require effort put forth on your part. Now, this does not mean for you to stop taking your prescribed drugs, supplements, or quit your therapies. It does mean that you should continue on your current regiment, but you should start making the the transition to SLOWLY incorporate proper nutrition and dextoxifying your body. Why the slow transition and not an immediate one? That's a simple answer. How many times have you tried a "cold turkey", radical, approach to changes in your life? Well, we all have. But, as we know, the results are short lived and not ever lasting. So, to slowly change will give you the best odds in reaching a strong, vibrant, and healthy body for now and the years to come. Yeah,  I know you may feel well now. I know that even your CBC (complete blood count) may look great. But, what if the toxins currently stored in your liver or fat cells are the precursor for diseases and cancers to come?  What if that fast food or processed food you are eating will someday make you ill? Then what? The point is to make the change now. Make the change slowly so you can be successful and have a body that has the best possible chance to be healthy for as long as possible. The other option is you can wait. You can wait until your in the emergency room and the doctor approaches you with that dreaded conversation. The conversation for which you are told of the options that you have and don't have. That is the position where you don't want to be. Limited or no options. Or, options that may have severe consequences. So, I've listed below some links for you to review and research. Remember the following. It maybe one or probably a combination of foods, diets, supplements, drugs, herbs, treatments, that keep you healthy and that heal you. Leave no stone unturned. Try, try, and try again. And finally, Believe...

Western Medicine Definition Link
Eastern Medicine Definition Link
Holistic Medicine Definition Link
Homeopathic Medicine Definition Link
Organic and Local Farming Definition Link
Benefits of Good Nutrition Link
Nutrition Food Data Link
Gluten Free Diet Definition Link
Macrobiotic Diet Definition Link
Vegan Diet Definition Link
Glycemic Index Diet Definition Link
Anti-inflammatory Diet Definition Link
Benefits of Drinking Water Link
38 Detoxing Diets Link
Ionic Detox Foot Bath Video
Dry Sauna Benefits Link
Colon Hydrotherapy Definition Link
Chelation Definition Link
Candida Cleanse Definition Link

A few more things to leave you with. Now these things may ruffle a few feathers, but they are very important. Please control your stress, stop smoking, and quit drinking alcohol (although for women, 1 alcoholic drink a day and 2 alcoholic drinks a day for men, can be therapeutic and healthy).

Sativex for Multiple Sclerosis Patients...

Well, well, well. It seems that BIG PHARMA is slowly getting their hands wrapped around the properties of medicinal marijuana. You see, for BIG PHARMA to "patent" something given to us from nature, they have to be able to synthetically reproduce it in the lab. So how does this relate to using the beneficial properties of medicinal marijuana?  This time BIG PHARMA is getting "licensing", not a patent, for the use of it's CANNABINOIDS. Nabiximols, licensed as the trade name Sativex, is BIG PHARMA's standardized composition, formula, and dosage from the marijuana (cannabis) plant. It is administered as a mouth spray. No smoking required. As a matter of fact, let's not use the term marijuana in the remainder of this post. That has a negative connotation attached to it. We will use the medicinal term CANNABIS. You know, marijuana is only used by "pot heads". As the story goes here, Sativex is already approved and used in Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Czech Republic, Asia (excluding Japan and China), Africa, and the Middle East (excluding Israel). 28 different countries in total with the possibility of FDA approval in the United States by years end in 2013. That's good news, but what does this Cannabis derived drug do?

Sativex is being used for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients to relieve pain, reduce muscle spasticity, and help control an overactive (spastic) bladder. It is not addictive nor does it cause constipation as the traditional FDA approved pain killers do. The side effects can be drowsiness and dizziness. The benefits of Sativex is great news for MS patients. Let's hope now the FDA follows through with approval here in the U.S. next. Sounds good huh. Yet, there is also another exciting possibility. Currently, the drug is in a Phase III clinical study to see if it can help relieve pain in cancer patients. So far, the results are looking extremely encouraging. Hey, if what grows out in nature can be used to help relieve a cancer patients pain, I'm ok with that too.

GW Pharmaceutical Link
Sativex Article Link
Sativex for Cancer Link
Sativex Explanation Video 1
Sativex Explanation Video 2

Do You Need Chelation...

The question remains, DO YOU NEED CHELATION? The answer is, probably yes. Or at least think of it this way - IT CAN ONLY HELP YOU. Chelation, commonly administered orally or through an IV, is the process of removing heavy metals and/or other toxic substances from your body. So, for those non-believers in Holistic Medicine (or called Alternative Medicine), you can stop reading at this point. Go back to lying on the couch, pop some meds, and continue to complain how bad your body feels. For those that are "open minded" and will leave
"no stone unturned" to get better and become more healthy, please read on.

Chelation was first used back in WWI when there was a need to rid the soldiers body of the poisonous and deadly Arsenic Gas. Yes, chemical weaponry existed and was used back then. During WWII, the occasion came up again for the need of Chelation. This time, ship builders were using paint containing Lead to paint the ships. The process of Chelation at this time evolved to be more thorough and with less side effects to the patient. The "Chelation Agent" developed, and still used today, is Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (DMSA). DSMA is what's known as a "bonding agent". In other words, the chemical that is injected into your blood, via an IV, for which the heavy metals and toxic substances bond to and then are excreted from the body through urination and bowel movements. There is also Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA - used in Mercury, Lead, and Cadmium poisoning along with Iron build up) that can be administered orally or rectally. So, Chelation started out initially as a Western Medicine, but over the years has been firmly embraced more so by the Holistic Community. The reason why is that other safer bonding agents are being used. In addition, Chelation is being used to treat patients for more than just removing heavy metals (such as a child that ingested Lead based paint chips and has to be rushed to the Emergency Room) and toxic substances (such as in accidental poisoning). Here is where the evolution of Chelation gets exciting.

Chelation today is mostly used by Holistic Doctors on a regular basis. EDTA is now also used in removing plaque build up and hardening of the arteries (known as Atherosclerosis) and as a strong antioxidant. Just ask my Father this. He went through a six week therapeutic session for this specific reason and his tests CLEARLY SHOWED A REDUCTION IN PLAQUE BUILD UP in his Jugular veins. He had some great success stories to that were shared to him from other patients during his sessions. Go Chelation! Go! Chelation is even being used to treat Autistic children. There is a wide variety of ailments that Holistic Doc's are using this for. Other oral and IV Chelating agents include: Vitamin C, B-12, Magnesium, Calcium/Magnesium, Cilantro, and so on. Contact your locally recommended Holistic Doctor for an appointment to discuss if Chelation Therapy is right for you...


Chelation Definition Link
Center for Holistic Medicine - W. Bloomfield, Michigan
Dr. Kabisch - Ann Arbor, Michigan

What is Therapeutic Plasmapheresis (Plasma Exchange)...

Plasmapheresis, also known as Plasma Exchange, is a process that was first used as a medical treatment in 1959. Though, it wasn't until shortly after, in the 1960's, where the process was tweaked and refined as we know of it's process as of today. You will typically find the use of Plasmapheresis in treating autoimmune diseases (Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Transverse Myelitis, Lambert Eaton Syndrome, Guillian-Barre Syndrome, Polymyosits, Dermatomyositis, Muscular Dystrophy, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, HELLP Syndrome, Graves' Disease, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, and about 14 or so other diseases - see the Plasmapheresis Definition Link below for the current list). The process involves removing the "active" circulating antibodies from the bloodstream. This process is achieved by with drawing your blood through a catheter, into the Plasmapheresis Machine (same as a Dialysis Machine, but though a different filtering membrane, where separation, collection, replacement occurs - see picture below) and replacing your plasma with newly collected human or pharmaceutical plasma, back into your bloodstream through another catheter. Each procedure takes about three hours. You will find that it is common practice that this procedure would be repeated every three days over a 2 to 3 week period. Therefore, you would have about 4 to 6 treatments to complete a full therapeutic cycle. Of course, depending on your condition, the doctor may recommend a different therapeutic cycle.

So, why would your doctor recommend Plasmapheresis? What is the objective and the benefits? The objective is to remove the harmful "active" antibodies, known as autoantibodies, that are circulating in your bloodstream and attacking your body. Therefore, Plasmapheresis suppresses the immune system and greatly reduces inflammation. That is the benefit. I know the word inflammation seems like no big deal, BUT IT IS A HUGE DEAL. Inflammation over time, and the severity of it, causes permanent damage to your internal organs. Loss of vision, your hands ability to open and close, lesions to your brain and/or spinal cord causing paralysis, spasticity in your muscles, loss of bowel control, and the list of permanent damage possibilities is endless. Even though Plasmapheresis maybe considered a successful therapy for you, odds are you will remain taking an oral autoimmune suppressant, but at a much lower and safer dosage.

POTENTIAL RISKS. During Plasmapheresis, you may experience a drop in blood pressure, dizziness, or blurred vision. Though, an allergic reaction of itching or a rash is possible from the newly introduced plasma which quickly goes away. It is the blood clotting agent used during the procedure that may cause bleeding. Since this is such a problematic risk, you will be monitored very closely during the entire therapeutic cycle.

Plasmapheresis Definition Link
Plasmapheresis Patient 1 Video
Plasmapheresis Patient 2 Video