ABERRATION: Deviation from normal.

AGENESIS: Complete absence.

ANAPLASIA: Loose their specific role and function, ; non-specialization (cells have no specific function) dedifferentiation, reversion of cell to embryonic quality. Happens in beginning of cancer; e.g., papsmear.

ANTIBODY: A protein belonging to a class of proteins called immunoglobulins. Antibodies are produced by plasma cells comes from they lymphs or lymphocytes to counteract specific aTitigens (infectious agents like viruses, bacteria, etc.) The antibodies combine with the antigen they are created to fight, often causing the death of that infectious agent.

ANTIGEN: foreign substance that gets into the body. The body sees it and recongizes that it doesn’t want it and immune response takes place or antibody formation.

ASYMPTOMATIC: Showing or causing no symptoms. ,

ATAXIA: No motor coordination, e.g., tertiary syphyillis.

ATROPHY: Acquired decrease in size; that was once of normal proportion. Comes with disuse, e.g., limbs in cast.

ATYPICAL MYCOBACTERIA: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the most common mycobacterium causing human disease, these other mycobacterial pecies may occur widely in nature but do not often cause disease except in immunosuppressed individuals.

BENIGN: Not malignant; not recurrent; favorable for recovery.

B-LYMPHOCYTES: Certain white blood cells that float through the body and are able to detect the presence of foreign agents. Once exposed to an antigen on the agent, these cells differentiate into plasma cells to produce antibodies.

CANDIDIASIS: (Thrush) Infection by fungi of the genus Candida, generally albicans, most commonly involving the skin, oral mucosa, respiratory tract, and vagina. A systemic thrush infection or an endocarditis caused by Candida may attack severely debilitated individuals.

CANCER: Any malignant, cellular tumor; cancers are divided into two categories of carcinoma and sarcoma.

CARCINOGENIC: Referring to anything that may induce the cancerous transformation of cells.

CARCINOMA: Malignant new growth made up of epithelial cells surface tissue, linings, glands, etc.) tending to infiltrate to surrounding tissues and to give rise to metastasis, e.g., dyes, pesticides, etc.

CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY: The reaction to antigenic (foreign) material of specific defensive cells (macrophages) rather than antibodies. It is thought to be this reaction which breaks down in AIDS, (-oma = tumor). Breaks down in AIDS.

- At the cellular level a direct contact between an antigen and an effector lymph. Proctects against intracellular pathogens or agents when working properly.

- Does not function properly in AIDS patients or they have no cell mediated immunity and they are susceptible to a lot of problems.

- Plays a big part in tumor immunity.

CHEMOTHERAPY: The use of drugs or pharmacologic agents that have a specific and toxic effect upon a disease-causing pathogen.

CO-CARCINOGEN: Substance which, when added with innocuous substance, causes cancer. Doeinot do so alone.

COLITIS: Inflammation of the colon (that part of the large intestine which terminates at the rectum).

CONTACT INHIBITION: Normally cell membranes trigger sensations of mitosis, cell membranes touch – mitotic process stops. This inherent control fails in tumor growth.

CRYPTOCOCCOSIS: Infection by Cryptococcus neoformans. a fungi having a predilection for the brain and meninges but capable of invading the skin, lungs, and other body tissue.

CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS: An infection caused by a protozoan parasite found in the intestines of animals. Often acquired by direct contact with the infected animal, it lodges in the human intestines and causes severe diarrhea. It may be transmitted from person to person. This infection seems to be occurring more frequently in immunosuppressed people and can lead to prolonged symptoms which do not respond to medications.

CUT-OFF VALUE: The optical density (OD) reading of reference sera in an ELISA test which differentiates a reactive result from a negative result. (Also called “cut point”). ELISA testing used in AIDS.

CYANOSIS: A sign of anemia._.Bluish color of the skin and mucous membranes due to a reduction of hemoglobin /in the blood. Due to a lack of O_2.

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS: Any of a group of highly host-specific herpes viruses, infecting man, monkeys, or rodents, producing unique large cells with intranuclear inclusions. CMV has been associated with infectious mononucleosis, but has recently come to be associated with AIDS. Has to do with herpes virus.

DEDIFFERENTIATION: Regression from a more specialized or complex form to a simpler state.

DEGENERATION: Deterioration of cells or tissues.

DEPRESSION: A mental illness characterized by dejection, apathy, insomnia, weight loss, and physical inactivity.

There is currently no evidence suggesting that dietary MSG or glutamate causes brain lesions or damage to nerve cells in humans, though brain damage is shown in animals.

Still many suffer from the adverse reaction to MSG include the following symptoms as numbness, burning sensation, tingling, facial pressure or tightness, chest pain, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat, drowsiness, and weakness.

My recommendation is when eating out, you can avoid taking too much of the gravy and soups. We categorized this under “Minimize” because this is basically a natural isolated product produced by a bacteria and insufficient data on human subjects. Adverse symptoms probably vary in different people and the amounts consumed.

Most mainstream cosmetic and personal care products contain at least one hazardous chemical compound, and many contain far more than that. By various estimates, there are between about 5,000 and 10,000 ingredients currently being used in everything from eyeliner and lipstick to shampoos and deodorants. While many are thought to be perfectly safe, many are not. The National Institute of Occupational Safety, for example, has identified almost 900 personal care chemicals that are toxic in one way or another. Some cause cancer. Others cause hormone disruption. Some are neurotoxins. And still others can cause organ damage. In Europe, some 400 of these dangerous materials have been banned from consumer products.

Our Skin is the largest organ in the human body, and one of its most remarkable. A breathing layer of protection between ourselves and the world, it grows up and out in layers that replace themselves every 52 to 75 days. The average adult, in fact, sheds about 40 pounds of skin over the course of a lifetime, and typically carries around 21 square feet of it, weighing 7 pounds and containing 300 million individual cells. Each square inch of skin has roughly 10 hairs, 15 oil glands, 72 feet of nerve fiber, 100 sweat glands, and over 3 feet of blood vessels, which make our skin very absorbent and cause the things we put on it become quickly absorbed into our bodies. When it comes to traditional personal care and make-up products, this can be quite hazardous to our health. Parabens, for example, are chemical preservatives that have been found to mimic estrogen and alter the body’s delicate hormonal balance. Another class of compounds commonly found in such products is phthalates, which have been linked to breast cancer.

The good news is that ingredients must be listed on product labels. The bad news is that it often seems you need a doctorate in chemistry to even figure out how to pronounce these ingredients, not to mention understand the level of danger their presence in product formulas represents.  

My recommendation is to use organic lipstick where possible. Buy lip stick, nail polish or skin care products that are toxin or preservative free.

You will learn:

• 1. What is colorectal cancer?
• 2. Learn How to get Free screening if you are over this age?
• 3. Who can get colorectal cancer?
• 4. Based on today’s statistics what are your chances of survival should you be diagnose with this disease?
• 5. How bad is the situation in Singapore?
• 6. What are the signs and symptoms to show that you may have colorectal cancer? -
• 7. How the medical doctors diagnose and treat this disease?
• 8. What are your chances of survival with colorectal cancer?
• 9. Questions myself and other participants asked the doctors and their reply. You may be surprised.

Singapore Colo-rectal Cancer Facts

• 1. Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in Singapore.
• 2. We are the Number 2 incidence rate in the world.
• 3. 1 in 20 Singaporeans will get this cancer in the lifetime.
• 4. New cases are rising each year.
• 5. Half of those diagnose die of the disease since most are usually in the advanced stages.
• 6. Early detection results in 80-90 % chances of survival.
• 7. Over 50% of colon cancer occurs in the distal part of the colon and the rectum.

It can occur in any part of the colon, but the most common >50%of cases, the location is in the distal part of the colon and the rectum near the anus, thus the name “colo-rectal cancer.”Who is at risk of colorectal cancer?

Any one, at any age, but you risks is highest if you are are a 50 years and above. As a Singaporean or Permanent Resident you get FREE screening. Call 6221-9578 or visit http://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg

What are some symptoms I can observe to know I may have colorectal cancer?

• -Blood in the stools
• -Change in bowel habits not due to food poisoning.
• -Unexplained anemia or lack of blood
• -Abdominal pain
• -Sometime no symptoms

How do medical doctors diagnose for this cancer?

They asked about your family history, physical examination of masses of cancer cells, colonoscopy, and biopsy or barium enema.

What is colorectal cancer?

Most developed from polyps. A polyp is basically uncontrolled growth of cells in your colon area resulting in a mass of cells called a polyp. Polyps are usually, benign or non-cancerous.These polyps could then continue growing and invade through the mucosa or the intestinal walls. In stage 3 of the disease, it spreads to the lymph nodes and in the final stage number 4 it spreads to the other organs of the body. In general, once the cancer spread to the lymph nodes, you are considered to have advanced cancer.Where does colorectal cancers occur?

What Medical doctors say causes colon cancer?

• -No one really knows and say the about 15% is genetic.
• -Low fiber intake
• -90% due to environment
• -Obesity
• -High caloric intake
• -Processed or preserved meat such as hot dogs, sausages, luncheon meat, cured ham and bacon.
• -Some saturated fat may be responsible.
• -Refine sugar and starch raising the insulin levels.

What medical doctors believe may prevent colorectal cancer?

• -Natural antioxidants from food
• -Fish and lean meat seem to be protective
• -Surgery to remove the polyps from the colon upon detection followed by annual check up.
• -Sometimes removal of entire colon, if necessary.

What drugs can help prevent colorectal cancer?

Aspirin seems to show some properties of lowering polyp formation.

What is the best prevention according to the medical doctors?

First go for the screening if you are over 50 yrs of age. It’s FREE in Singapore. Or if you have a close relative who has this cancer say at age 45 yrs, you should go for the test 10yrs earlier or when you are 35yrs of age for early detection. (Our comments: Note that our medical community see preventive measures as better detection. Is that how you see prevention?)What are my chances of survival from this dreaded disease?

Your cure rate is highest if you are at stage 1 of the disease. After surgery, if you do not get a relapse after 5 years, your chances of survival are very high. How do medical doctors diagnose for this cancer?

They asked about your family history, physical examination of masses of cancer cells, colonoscopy, and biopsy or barium enema.

What is FOBT?

It is called the “Fecal Occult Blood Test.” It’s the most common screening test that is now available free to Singaporeans over the age of 50. It is simple and non-invasive. It works by detecting blood in the stools than may not been observed with the naked eye, hence, the term “occult” or “hidden.”This screening method is thought to reduced death rates by 15-30 % and reduced the chance of getting the cancer of 17-20%. What is means here is that, if you are detected with polyps then removal via surgery can prevent further cancer growth.What are the major diagnosis methods or test for colorectal cancer?They are Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy, combination of the first two test and the Double contract Barium Enema.

Are there any new tests for detection?

The medical community is exploring Virtual Colonoscopy and Stool Based Molecular Screening. In other words they test for DNA marker of cancer genes in your sh**.

What is Flexible Sigmoidoscopy?

It is a 60-cm scope used to insert into the distal end or last half of the colon performed after 1 to 2 saline enemas. This detection has decreased death rates by up to 59%. Recommended to be test with this method every 5 years. Below is the picture, you imagine how it gets in.

What is Colonoscopy?

This is the Gold Standard for colorectal cancer diagnosis, meaning that it is the most accurate test available today, reducing death rates by from 76-90%. Combined with Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, death rates reduction can be as good as over 90%. Incidentally, it’s also the most expensive test.

It is a longer scope 160-cm in length that reaches to the entire colon. You will require a lot of laxatives to clean the bowel and you will go to the toilet about 10 to 15 times!

Disadvantages are that inaccuracy is about 6 to 27 % rate. From the patient point of view, it required undesirable bowel preparation to clearly see the polyps, very expansive (4 figure $$), high chances of colon perforation. In other words, that is a good chance they damage your colon by creating holes in it!

What is Double Contrast Barium Enema Test?

It entails similar bowel prep to colonoscopy. Then barium is pumped through your colon. You will then be examined in different positions anywhere between 30 to 60 min.

It is the most inaccurate diagnosis test available.

According to medical experts in Singapore what are the best cures available?

• -Surgery is the main treatment (about 50% of the time).
• -Minimally invasive surgery (recover faster)
• -Colonic Stent. It is similar to heart stent to allow blood flow, colonic stent allows feces to flow since many cancer patient have constipation.

What drugs can help prevent colorectal cancer?

• Aspirin seems to show some properties of lowering polyp formation.

How much fiber should one take per day?

• Recommended to take 30 grams per day. An apple gives about 5 grams.

Does piles or hemorrhoids cause colorectal cancer?

• Hemorrhoids are closely related to colorectal cancer.

Are there any studies that correlate bowel movements or constipation with incidence of colorectal cancer?

• No direct answer was given. We did our homework and found research information on bowel movement frequency and colorectal cancer correlation

How can I differentiate colorectal cancer with other similar bowel disease?

Colorectal Cancer usually presents with blood in the stools and abdominal pain, but may not be seen with the naked eye. Blood is darker red mixed with stools, if observable.  In contrast, if you have hemorrhoids, blood is found in the stools  but since bleeding occur near anus and the blood is bright red in color.  It is usually not mixed with stools and not accompanied by abdominal pain. With Irritable Bowel Syndrome, you can have abdominal pain but there is no blood in the stools.

Secondly, should we stretch before exercise? There is no doubt that stretching is vital right after any workout.  But opinions vary when it comes to stretching. One physiologist states that stretching before warming up is like stretching a “dry spaghetti” and may “wear” the tissues. He recommends a warm up first before stretching. I fully agree with him and found that I have significantly less sore during the run when I follow his 2-Step protocol. Feeling sore in muscles can discourage you and adversely affect your performance.

Proper breathing is probably one of the key to running efficiently for longer period of time than your body is accustomed. Most of us work in some office building sitting at computer. Our posture is usually slouching forward and this constricts the lungs from “opening up” freely and restrict deep breathing. You will soon find this type of “shallow breathing” do you a disservice on the running track.

I have personally tried “2 breaths in and 2 breaths out” for years but found that I always end up very tried after the run, even if its less than 4 laps (or 1600 meters). This was thought by one of my cousins, Clara, who is a fantastic distance runner.  But alas, it didn’t really suit me as it did her. Recently, I tried what I called Synchronized Breathing which allow me to simple customize to my needs and work with my fitness level as it improves. According to Metabolic Typing science, we need oxygen to metabolize or “burn” the food we take in. Hence, it makes sense that an efficient breathing system that suits your body’s during a specific workout will maximize energy output, consequently, running performance.

Have you ever wondered how often you should exercise? Some will say 2 -3 times per week, while some sources will tell you to exercise up to 5 times per week. Again, understand that our bodies are not the same. We have different genes, hours of rest, recovery time, exercise experience, medical history, age, food, rest, fitness level, physical limitations, commitment, goals and so forth. Learn to “listen” to your body.

The key here lies in 2 words: Rest and Recovery. If you don’t have enough of either, you will not perform better and may even fall sick. A fact I discovered though experience. Most adults will do well to rest for at least 1 day. This is to allow torn muscles to repair, grow stronger, get rid of waste such as free radicals produced during exercise. Rest simply means sufficient sleep.  You must sleep enough. You can eat the best foods or supplements, but without restful, uninterrupted sleep you will not have maximum recovery.

So how do I know I am rested and recovered? Which better person to ask them yourself! Seriously, ask quietly to yourself, how much more distance can you cover as compared to the previous exercise, say 2 days ago. If you ran 2 laps and you feel that you can probably run 3 or 4 rounds this time based on your energy levels and how you feel, then this would be the day you should run. On the other hand, if you feel you could not do more than 2 laps or less (not due to laziness, of course), then you should postpone your training to another day.

The benefits of customizing your own exercise is that you will be less likely to overstrain yourself and fall sick. You see when your free radicals are high, your immune system will be low and you become more susceptible to flu and cold viruses. Proper supplementation can certainly help to neutralize and remove free radicals, but never to replace sleep. Due to late nights watching TV and work commitments, some may find that their recovery rates are 3 to 5 days. My recommendation is simple, weigh your priorities and if you were serious about you fitness in the first place, rest early. Get at least 7 hrs of sleep.

Here’s a simple Protocol to Customize Your Exercise:

• Day 1-Start your run. Go as far as you can. Talk to yourself a little, while you are running to test whether you are going too fast or too slow.  Some call this the “Talk Test.”  In other words, if you can’t talk without grasping for more air, then your are probably running too fast.
• Day 2-This will be 1 to several days after you determined you have sufficient rest and can run more rounds or run faster in the same number of rounds.
• Day 3 and Beyond-Apply principles laid out on Progressive resistance.  Achieve your goals and maximize genetic potential.

What you are doing by increasing the number of rounds or increasing the speed in each round is called Progressive Resistance. Basically, you keep increasing the load on yourself to run faster or run further. Consequently, you become stronger and fitness improves.

The trampoline is probably one of the best non-impact exercise for any starter or even those whose fitness are at the intermediate level.
You can purchase it from most fitness stores for below S$100.

I intentionally left this last, since I assume most of my readers already agree that some form of exercise is better than none. One church pastor told me that exercise is not so important citing from a passage in the Bible that “bodily exercise profiteth little.” (KJV) For the most of us, quoting this passage is just a glorified excuse for not exercising. I personally don’t believe the bible to be inaccurate here.  The people in biblical times walk for long distances to get to places with much physical work. There are no buses, no trains or cars.

Sedentary lifestyle as described leaves us lethargic, but adding some exercise has many benefits. There are more than I can list here, but here are my favorites:

• IMPROVE IMMUNE SYSTEM
• REDUCE LDL (Bad cholesterol), TRIGLYCERIDE Levels
• CONTROL HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
• REDUCE STROKE AND CHD (Coronary Heart Disease)
• LOSE EXCESS FAT WEIGHT
• PREVENT DIABETES
• Help you  FEEL and LOOK GOOD
• IMPROVE FITNESS BY INCREASING YOUR BODY’S ABILITY TO UPTAKE OXYGEN
• REDUCE COLON AND BREAST CANCER RISK
• SLOW AGEING PROCESS AND IMPROVE BONE DENSITY.
• SLEEP BETTER

4 Principles Regarding Exercise

Principle 1: Understand and belief that it WILL BE MORE PAINFUL and EXPENSIVE not to exercise than to do so.

Principle 2: Doing some form of exercise that require you to breathe hard and perspire is BETTER THAN not doing at all. More exercise is not necessary better. Insufficient rest can make you fall sick easily.

Principle 3: Don’t give up on yourself even if you fail many times-I have. Find an activity you enjoy doing or with your friends.

Principle 4: Be CREATIVE.

Activity such as jogging, fast walking, climbing the stairs up the high floors of your apartment, bicycling, skipping or jump ropes are all great exercises. Some prefer sports such as table-tennis, badminton or soccer. As long as you can maintain the activity and keep going and not stop for more than 20 to 30 min without any activity, it’s considered exercise. Hence, SHOPPING is strolling the malls is not considered exercise. (Sorry ladies.)

(Note: Always check with your doctor if you are not sure if you are not sure your current health status before you begin any exercise program.)

Fat: Term used to generally describe all forms of fat including fatty acids, triglycerides.

Fatty acid: The building block of fat.

Triacyglyceride: Same as triacylglycerols made up of 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids. Also a storage form in adipocytes or fat cells.

Lipid: includes fatty acids, waxes, phospholipid, glycolipid, lipoproteins

Apolipoprotein: Components A, B, C, E that make up lipoprotein

Lipoprotein: Lipid and apolipoprotein. Eg. Chylogmicron

Goal of Fat Metabolism

The primary purpose of Fat metabolism is to break down fat or lipids to fatty acids (FA) and glycerol. It’s all about making energy. To derive energy we need to 2 steps: Activation and beta-oxidation. Fatty acids less than 12 carbon long can proceed to these 2 steps upon entering the mitochondrial matrix. FA more than 12 carbon long require CAT System to enter the mitochondrial matrix. CAT I system is found on the outer mitochondrial membrane while CAT II is found on the inner mitochondrial membrane. The enzyme Carnitine Acyltransferase requires carnitine.

One unit of FA is activated to a acetyl CoA which we can feed into TCA cycle to give us 12 ATP. (3 NADH, 1 FAD, 1GTP). Glycerol can be converted to DHAP via Glycerol-3-phosphate by an exclusive liver enzyme called glycerol kinase. To use glycerol they must be sent to the liver. One DHAP enter glycolysis we recall can give us at least 2 ATP.

Fat from Food

Fat upon ingestion is first emulsified by our bile salts made by the liver and stored in the gall bladder. Those who have their gall bladder removed may have trouble releasing enough bile for fat emulsification. This is best explained in the kitchen where big globs of fat from the bacon pan is broken into smaller globules by the detergent. Soap bubbles in the detergent then make the globules so small that they can now be easily be rinsed away. Bile salts taucholic acid and glycolic acid similarly break fats into micelles to increase surface area for enzyme action.

Micelles are then digested by pancreatic lipase to fatty acids and glycerols in the intestine. These can go directly into the blood stream. Tryglycerides need to be package with apolipoprotein to form chylomicrons. We can view chylomicrons as vehecles for fat transport from intestine to tissue cells via lymph and blood circulation. Chylomicron then travel via intestinal lymphatics to blood and then to tissue cells. Lipoprotein lipase in the tissue cells then digest the chylomicrons to give fatty acid and glycerol, now small enough to enter cells.

Fat from Adipocytes

We can also get fat from fat cells by breaking down tryglycerides by the enzyme tryglyceride lipase or Hormone-sensitive lipase (HS Lipase). This enzyme is regulated by insulin and the glucagon/epinephrin pair. Similar to carbohydrate metabolism, cAMP is used as a secondary messenger to activate glucagon/epinephrin.

Energy Requirements and Calculation Formula

The activation step that converts FA to FA-CoA requires 1 ATP to give 1 AMP or 2 ATP equivalents. We denote this step (-2 ATP).

The beta-oxidation has 4 steps. A dehydrogenase, hydratase, another dehydrogenase and thiolase which cleaves the acetyl-CoA of the chain. These 4 steps are repeated over and are termed spiral. The 1st dehydrogenase that creates a double bond forms an FADH₂, while the 2nd dehydrogenase step involves the formation of 1 NADH. The first dehydrogenation is not necessary for every double bond in the FA. Hence, we will get 2 less ATP from the potential FADH₂.

For example, for every Even-numbered 16-Carbon fatty acid, we can get 8 acetyl CoA and its corresponding FADH₂ and NADH. For every Odd-Numbered say 17-Carbon Fatty acid chain, we get 8 acetyl CoA, 1 propionyl CoA and its corresponding FADH₂ and NADH. How much energy can we get from propionyl CoA? We know that we need a propionyl carboxylase in the presence of ATP and Biotin to convert to methyl-malonyl CoA and then a mutase in the presence of Vitamin B12 to give succinyl CoA.

Science:  The study of patterns, processes and mechanisms of reality, leading to an understanding how it works.  Expands and supports knowledge.

Art: Skillful action, based o knowledge and understanding, directed toward achieving a specific objective.  Applies the knowledge.

Chiropractic: A vitalistic philosophy of life and health, and the science and art of correcting vertebral subluxations in accordance with that philosophy.

Major Premise:  There is a universal intelligence acting through all matter/energy, continually giving it all its properties and actions, thus maintaining matter/energy in existence and giving this universal intelligence its expression.

Universal Intelligence:   The assumed, necessary cause of all organization.

Innate Intelligence: A finite portion of Universal intelligence being expressed within living organisms.

Interference: An unintended alteration of a force during its transmission that distorts the information the force was intended to carry.

Innate force: Forces created within a specific living organism, and therefore necessarily constructive and adaptive to that organism unless interfered with during transmission.  Connecting link between intelligence and matter.

Matter:  Expression of force in an organized form

Energy:  the physical aspect of a force that has the ability to alter matter’s motion.

Health:  full expression of innate intelligence through the matter of a living organism

Relative health:  The best possible expression of innate intelligence within the limits of the matter of a living organism.

Dis-ease:  The disorganizing effect of an innate force which has been interfered with on the matter of a living organism.

Interference:  alteration of force during transmission that modifies the quality and content of the information

Organization:  The ability of many parts to function as a whole.
Mechanism:  the metaphysical, biological doctrine that life itself can be completely explained by the actions of physical, chemical and electrical forces alone.

Resistance:  Neutral force-can adapt to destructive external forces.

Conversion:   Positive force-helps to maintain proper health.

Adaptation:  1)  determination of need; 2) intellectual adaptation; 3) physical adaptation

Innate Force:  the connecting link between intelligence and matter acting within a living organism.

Convergence:  a positive force that helps maintain organization.

Vertebral Subluxation:  The condition of a vertebra that has lost its proper juxtaposition with the one above, the one below or both to an extent less than a luxation which partially occludes an opening, impinges nerves and interferes with the transmission of a mental ipulse

Trauma:  Negative force-non-specific.

Triune of Life:  Intelligence, force and matter.

Vitalism:   The metaphysical biological doctrine that life and its function depend on a “vital influence” which differs in kind from all physical, chemical and electrical forces.

Mechanism:  The metaphysical biological doctrine that life can be completely explained by the actions of physical, chemical and electrical forces alone.

The Fat Myth

Most people try to avoid foods with high cholesterol, saturated fats such as coconut oil, egg yolk, butter, and so on. Yet many of these dear health conscious folks have elevated or high cholesterol levels. Yet again, there are others who do avoid saturated fats and seem to be in blissful health. Why? Exercise, stress level, all can have impact on cholesterol level. But we this answer lies in this very fundamental fact of  “Biochemical Individuality.” Because we all have different genetic makeup we respond to foods differently, we need to eat foods suitable for our Metabolic Type.

What is Homocysteine?

Homocysteine (pronounced as “HOMO-SIS-TIN”) is type of protein. Dr Kilmer McCully, a Havard scientist, was first to make the link in the 1960s that homocysteine levels are closely linked to heart disease. In good health, the body detoxifies homocysteine by converting it back to methionine, from which it was produced in the first place, or by breaking it down even further to form a more harmless substance called cystathionine. In most people, a deficiency in any one of the nutrients needed to activate these enzymes in the first place affect the conversion back to methionine.   So how does high cholesterol and homocysteine cause heart disease? One possible explanation is that homocysteine in some way promotes atherosclerosis – the life-threatening hardening of the arteries with plaque deposits made up of cholesterol and calcium – which can trigger a heart attack by restricting blood and oxygen flow to the heart.

Statistics On Homocysteine

• Homocysteine levels are 30 to 50 % higher if you are a vegetarian as compared to non-vegetarians.* 1
• High levels of homocysteine can affect your ability to think clearly * 2
• Homocysteine May Lead to Pregnancy Complications and Birth Defects* 3
• 80% of all fatal heart attacks that occur in men who do not have high cholesterol levels
• Smokers and coffee drinkers are associated with higher homocysteine levels.
• Male
• Aged 40 +
• Post menopause
• Drink alcohol or smoke
• Often angry or suppress anger
• Exercise rarely
• Drink caffeinated drinks – coffee, tea, coke
• Pregnant
• Strict vegetarians
• Use Sodium salt liberally
• Rarely take nutritional supplements
• Take low dose supplements
• Under active thyroid
• Chronic kidney problems
• Take anti-epileptics
• Suffer chronic ill health such as digestive problems, auto-immune, asthma, eczema, arthritis, osteoporosis, ulcers, diabetes, heart conditions, high blood pressure, thrombosis, cancer.

Homocysteine Risk Self Check

• Tired a lot of the time?
• Keeping up getting harder?
• Weight unstable?
• Odd pains – arthritis, aches, cramps, migraines
• Frequent colds, flu’s?
• Eyesight deteriorating?
• Lethargic on most days?
• Problems with sleeping or stay asleep
• Memory worsening?
• A touch depressed (or more than a bit)?
• 2 or more glasses alcohol per day?
• More than 3 cups coffee per day?
• Smoker – cigarettes?
• Strict vegetarian diet?

10 Reasons to Lower Your Homocysteine

1. Speeds aging
2. Damages arteries
3. Weakens immune system
4. Damages brain & IQ
5. Pain & inflammation

Cholesterol lowering drugs (statins) only block the synthesis of cholesterol and is being used by millions of people. But understand that the underlying weakness of the blood vessel wall continues untreated. According to the January 3, 1996 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), statins are known to cause cancer and other severe side effects, and “should be avoided whenever possible

Vitamins and minerals have been used successfully to treat high cholesterol, and homocysteine. They are Vitamin B12, folic acid, B6, niacin (B3), zinc and magnesium chelate. The author of JAMA wrote “Our study suggests that lipid-modifying dosages of niacin can be safely used in patients with diabetes and that niacin therapy may be considered as an alternative to statin drugs or fibrates for patients with diabetes in whom these agents are not tolerated or fail to sufficiently correct hypertriglyceridemia or low HDL-C levels.” * 4

Drugs that Raise Homocyteine Levels

• Cholesterol reducing drugs – cholestyramine – bile acid binding, lopid – fibric acid derivtives
• Diabetic controlling tablets diabex, fibric acid derivatives
• Cortisone drugs for asthma, arthritis
• Theophylline for asthma
• Epileptic drugs dilantin, phenobarb
• Sulphasalazine for arthritis & Crohn’s
• L-Dopa for Parkinson’s
• Chemotherapy drugs for cancer – also methotrexate used for arthritis, psoriasis cyclosporin – for immune suppression

Homocysteine Level Score Card

• Health Risk  Fasting level
• super healthy  Below 6
• low risk 6 – 8.9
• moderate risk 9 – 12
• high risk  12 – 15
• very high risk  15 – 20
• extremely high risk above 20

Reference

1. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 2000;44:135-138

2. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition September, 2003;78(3):441-447

3. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology July, 2000;107:935-938.

4. JAMA 2000;284:1263-1270

I used to get the common cold or the flu about 2 to 3 times per year but would never take any drugs not even antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. Hence, I tried using herbs such as Echinacea that I found help my body’s immune system to fight off the infection as long as I took it soon enough. But I wondered if I could prevent the viral infection to start in the first place, instead of waiting till it happens and taking remedies. This mystery eluded me for years.

An incident at graduate school rekindled my quest for understanding how to prevent illness and stay healthy naturally. My fellow researcher, Heavy Howard (not his real name of course) came by my lab to tell me that his doctor has ordered him to admit himself to the hospital that same weekend to run some tests. You see had cholesterol over 350 and high blood pressure so high you would expect his veins to burst anytime. But that never really bothered him. What bothered him was not being able to put on his favorite tie properly. He could always finds oversize shirts, pants and jackets, but he could never fit his tie nicely because his shirt collar never button because his neck was too big.

Guess what? Did Heavy Howard admit himself the hospital that weekend? He did not. For about 2 and a half weeks I did not see him and hoped all went well for it. Then one day about 12 noon while at my lab working, someone popped in behind me. It was Howard of course. I turned and look at him and was shock to see only two-thirds of him a couple of weeks ago. “Did they suck the fat out of you?” I exclaimed. He said, “I never went,” he said, “I decided to work it out myself.” “You exercised then,” I said. “No way,” he said, “Come! Let me show you something.”

What I was about to witness was that which went against all my prior understanding. He showed me his lunch box filled with an 6 ounce steak, bread salad greens and beans. I was SHOCKED he was still eating steak but my I had to how he lost he lost his weight. So I calmly replied, “So Howard, what happened??” He said as he beamed, “I decided to go with Dr. Barry Sears who wrote the Zone Diet.” He picked up a book from his desk, still beaming and said, “By eating foods consisting of approximately 40 percent of calories from carbohydrates, 30 percent from protein, and 30 percent from fat and having a low glycemic index and low glycemic load, you can literally shift your entire body’s metabolism. It will burn more efficiently, generating energy unimaginable and burn excess fat!”

Howard’s story seemed far fetched but I could not deny what I saw with my own eyes. What used to be a 250-pound overweight, emotionally depressed, PhD candidate now shrank by a third and all he did was change the proportion of his food choices. About a month later, I decided to buy the book and research this “crazy idea” for myself. In a few days I was experimenting the Zone Diet for myself and I actually loss weight. The only problem was I was not getting the energy I wanted and did feel as good as Howard did.

My search for the perfect diet continued. I continued to search and try other types of diets available that made sense and has good scientific basis. I look at Food Combining where you basically follow the rules of never mixing proteins with carbohydates. It made sense to me since the digestive pH of proteins are acid and alkaline respectively. The premise of food combination is to avoid eating them together would be lead to indigestion. It worked to help in digestion but I became constantly hungry.

In 2001, I was introduced to Metabolic Typing by Dr John Mercola. I bought the book on Metabolic Typing by Bill Willcot and found it to make sense. My backgroudn in Medical Science and Microbiology helped me to quickly grasp the biochemistry behind the philosophy and science of metabolic typing.

Acccording to Metabolic typing, I was classified as a protein type. Basically, in laymans term means I should be eating about 70 percent protein or meats and for me red meat and the rest carbohydrates or starches. It is most shocking for me to have to take so much protein and to incorporate red meat at so many meals. It was against all conventional understanding and wisdom. I decided to give it a shot I was to discover a program that could revolutionized my nutritional understanding to better help my clients. For about 3 months I did the program. I was pleasantly surprise that my blood profile looked great including HDL and LDL profiles which I was most concerned. Blood pressure was never a problem and that value remained at 120/80.

I wished I did more before and after testing but I did not. But the key benefits I discovered was to carefully adjust my proteins fats and carbohydrates with optimal vitamins and supplements it was actually difficult to get sick! Most people who get flu or colds are generally have blood pH tending towards alkaline. Hence, eating according to how my body was made allowed more energy to maintain the immune system and consequently the health of the body.

The method of choice is called Cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) and is widely used although it is a somewhat crude method of measurement the heart size. The doctor first draws a line straight across the film and then draws a verticle line that bisects the horizontal line equally. Another line is drawn across the widest width of the heart. Measure the width of the heart based on this line. If the width of the heart is greater than half the width of the chest, then we have have a possible enlarged heart. While this is a simple quick method, the best way to access if a heart is abnormally large is by using the echocardiogram.

Normal patient transverse diameter of the heart is usually less than half of the
diameter of the chest. In summary, when the transverse diameter is larger, we have a cardiac enlargement.