What You Should Know About Cholesterol

What You Should Know About Cholesterol

Research form the Heart Foundation suggests that 32 percent of adults have high blood cholesterol.  High blood cholesterol is a major cause of a process known as atherosclerosis.  Atherosclerosis is hardening and narrowing of the arteries which progressively and slowly blocks arteries putting blood flow at risk.  The result can be heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease, collectively known as cardiovascular disease.  So this same research would be correct in telling us that high blood cholesterol can put you at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, our biggest killer alongside cancer.

It’s important to know that cholesterol is essential for many of the body’s metabolic processes. Cholesterol is a type of fat that is carried around in the blood.  It is a major building block for cellular membranes and is used in the production of hormones including oestrogen and testosterone and adrenal hormones such as cortisol.  Additionally cholesterol is important for bile acids synthesis which aids in the digestion of fats and helps your body to absorb nutrients.  Vitamin D synthesis is also dependant on healthy cholesterol levels. 

Although cholesterol plays many key roles in the body it is not essential that you eat foods that contain cholesterol.  Almost all of the cells of the body can make the cholesterol they need provided they are functioning and have the nutrients to do so.  The liver, however, is especially efficient in cholesterol synthesis.   

Cholesterol synthesis is tightly controlled by regulating the amount of cholesterol in the blood and producing more when your diet doesn't provide adequate amounts. The liver removes cholesterol from the body by converting it to bile salts and putting it into the bile where it can be eliminated in the feces. The liver is also responsible for synthesising various lipoproteins involved in transporting cholesterol and lipids throughout the body.  The liver packages cholesterol and other fats into minuscule protein-covered particles called lipoproteins (lipid + protein) that do mix easily with blood. The proteins used are known as apolipoproteins. The two types of lipoproteins often referred to as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol are low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL).

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol carries most of the cholesterol that is delivered to cells where they are used in membranes and synthesis of steroid hormones, which doesn’t sound all ‘bad’. It is referred to as the ‘bad’ cholesterol because when levels in the bloodstream are too high, it can leave cholesterol deposits in the arteries and lead to atherosclerosis.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is often referred to as the ‘good’ cholesterol, because it helps remove excess cholesterol out of the tissues, including cells in the arteries, carrying cholesterol to the liver where it can be broken down and excreted. 

Understanding the role of cholesterol and how your body produces it and uses it helps us to make sense of maintaining healthy blood cholesterol levels.  Your blood cholesterol level is determined by the sum of how much cholesterol your body makes and how much you take in from food, taking away how much your body uses for metabolic processes or excretes as waste products.  High cholesterol can result from a problem in any of the variables in that equation.  Knowing how cholesterol is made in the body, excreted and absorbed from food is the foundation for understanding the right eating plan for you. 

Achieving and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is achievable with the right dietary and lifestyle recommendations.  Generally moving towards a healthy lifestyle of Mediterranean style diet rich in essential nutrient and antioxidants will support cardiovascular health.  This includes reducing saturated fats by choosing lean meats, eliminating trans-fats found in fried foods and baked goods as well as avoiding refined carbohydrates and processed foods. 

Research has shown polymethoxyflavones, known as PMFs, to assist in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.  These natural compounds are found in citrus peel and may lower LDL levels by reducing their synthesis and increasing their clearance.   This is one of the many researched nutrients effective for balancing and maintaining cholesterol levels.  If you need support in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels or have questions about which supplements may benefit you, talk to a health care professional that has access to the latest cholesterol research and information on cardiovascular health and disease prevention.    

HOW TO PREVENT AND TREAT COLD SORES NATURALLY

HOW TO PREVENT AND TREAT COLD SORES NATURALLY

There are two types of Herpes Simplex Virus, Herpes Simplex Virus -1 (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2). ‘Cold sores’ refers to HSV-1 which affect the skin or mucous membranes, particularly the lips or mouth and around the nose.    Cold sores are mainly caused by HSV-1.  HSV-2 can also infect the mouth, although it mainly causes genital herpes. 

Research suggests that most of the world’s population is infected with Herpes Simplex Virus type 1, type 2 or both with 76% of the Australian population infected with the Cold Sore Virus.  These embarrassing lesions usually develop as begin with localised itching and tingling a day or two before the cold sore appears.   Proceeding is a collection of small blisters.  These blisters can be accompanied by pain, tenderness and a sensation of heat and burning.   After a few days the blisters burst and a yellow crust or scab develops.  The crust dries up and eventually falls off after about 7 - 10 days.

Herpes simplex is the easily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact such as kissing someone who has the virus or by sharing objects which have been in contact with the virus, such as a razor or a lipstick.  Direct contact with a lesion or the body fluid of an infected individual is sufficient to allow viral entry into the mucous membranes.  Cold sores can occur in healthy people; however immunocompromised people are especially susceptible to infection.  These include people with AIDS, cancer and patients taking long-term steroids.

Herpes viruses cycle between periods of active disease followed by a remission period.  Once you are infected, it will remain in your body, even if you do not experience any symptoms. After initial infection, the viruses are transported along sensory nerves to the sensory nerve cell bodies, where they become latent and reside lifelong.

There are several factors and certain stimuli that can trigger an episode of cold sores.  These include:  

• emotional stress
• fatigue/tiredness/feeling run down
• menstruation
• strong sunlight or wind exposure on the lips/mouth/nose
• an injury to the mouth or chapping or abrasion of the skin
• fever
• upper respiratory tract infections
• depleted immune system
• ingestion of large amounts of carbohydrates
• ingestion of even small amounts of refined sugar
• ingestion of allergenic food that challenge the immune system
• intake of high arginine foods

For many people, however, the trigger is unknown.

There are steps that you can take to prevent a cold sore outbreaks and, if an outbreak does occur, to limit the pain, the risk of spreading and the severity of an outbreak.  Complementary treatments can support immune function and aid in preventing viral replication.

Diet choices support the immune system against viral infections. Sugar is a major

contributor to lowering immunity and depressing cell-mediated immune function.  Limiting the intake of sugar by avoiding fruit juices, sugary snacks, sweets, chocolate, cakes, alcohol and soft drinks will avoid suppressing your immune system.

 

Research shows the amino acid arginine aids in HSV replication while the amino acid lysine has anti-viral activity and inhibits arginine activity.

Lysine is an essential amino acid which has been shown to be effective in preventing and reducing the frequency of cold sore attacks. As an essential amino acid it is not synthesised in the body therefore it must be obtained through the diet or by supplementation.

Consume foods that have a high lysine to arginine ratio.  These include:

• avocado

• fish (not shellfish)

• chicken, turkey and pork

• fruit (mangos, apricots, pears, apples, figs).

Avoid foods that have a high arginine to lysine Ratio.  These include:

• chocolate/cocoa

• oats, wheat (gluten)

• nuts and seeds

Studies demonstrate that zinc supplementation reduces the duration and severity of cold sore outbreaks by preventing the replication of HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses. Zinc is an essential trace element integral to normal growth and development and crucial for the function and maintenance of healthy immune cells.

Vitamin C is known to support our immune function, particularly in times of stress.  Vitamin C can be taken orally and applied directly to the lesion in a cream or paste.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has outstanding antiviral and calming properties. It can be applied topically to cold sores or taken orally in supplement or even a tea infusion.  Studies show that extracts of lemon balm inhibit the attachment of HSV to host cells which can effectively reduce the formation of the virus.

Echinacea purpurea is well-known for its antiviral and antimicrobial actions and has been shown to inhibit the viral replication of HSV-1 and significantly reduces HSV-1 latent infection.  It is widely used for its immune enhancing effects. 

Oregano oil is known to be antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial.  Oregano oil can be used topically on cold sores.  For the most effective results it should be applied every few hours.

Here’s Our Simple Rules to Avoid Cold Sore Outbreaks…
•  Avoid excessive sun and wind exposure

•  Limit high foods with high Arginine content

•  Don’t overburden your immune system, limit sugar consumption

•  Get plenty of rest and reduce stress

•  Consider taking supplements including lysine, zinc, vitamin C, lemon balm, and echinacea

•  Apply diluted oregano oil directly on tingling area and re-applying regularly

 

Available from The House of Healing  - Metagenics Viraclear – For Cold Sore Defence and Relief
·  May reduce the symptoms, frequency and recurrence of cold sores: Viraclear contains nutrients that have been shown to reduce the symptoms and severity of cold sore lesions and reduce cold sore recurrence. Vitamin C may inhibit herpes simplex virus-1 through its role in the formation of dehydroascorbic acid and its ability to inhibit certain kinases and enzymes involved in viral replication. Zinc has been shown to inactivate herpes simplex virus-1 by inhibiting the maturation of capsid proteins, hindering their use as structural components of the HSV-1 virus. Additionally, astragalus is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to maintain healthy immune function and may also assist in strengthening the immune system. References available from Health World Limited in Australia on 1800 777 648

Preventing the Spread of Infection

Preventing the Spread of Infection

We can all be involved in preventing the spread of infection in the workplace, at home, around the community and in Clinic.  Standard precautions are the safety measures we all need to be aware of to help stop the spread of germs from one person to another.

‘Germs’ refers to bacteria and viruses which can be spread and enter the body in a number of ways.  Most germs are spread by direct contact which is generally a result of poor hygiene and often by unwashed hands.  Some germs are in the air that we breathe and other germs are found in food or water. 

Common standard precautions used to prevent the spread of germs and infection are hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and wearing protective clothes. 

Hand Hygiene
Using the correct hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stop the spread of colds, flu and other infections.  Cleaning your hands as often as possible and in the right way applies to everyone, not just the person carrying the infection.  Visitors, family members and caregivers should all be aware of hand hygiene.

Correct Hand Washing Procedures
It sounds silly, but some people simply don’t wash their hands with the correct procedure to eliminate the risk of spreading germs.  This is what needs to be done:
- Thoroughly wet hands with water, then put soap on hands.  Soap dispensers are the best method.
-  Rub your hands together for at least 15 seconds, ensuring you clean all parts, fingers, thumbs,nails, backs of hands and wrists
-  Rinse hands well to remove soap
-  Use paper towel or dryer to thoroughly dry hands
-  Keep in mind soap dispensers and tap handles can be objects that spread germs too

When to Wash Your Hands
-  When you are aware they are dirty
-  Before preparing or eating food
-  After using the restroom
-  After handling waste or rubbish bins
-  After touching or handling pets
-  Before and after treating a cut or wound
-  After contact with bodily fluids such as blood, urine, stool or vomit

Keep in mind that object such as doorknobs, keyboards, and phones may also carry germs.  While you cannot avoid touching these objects you should be mindful of washing your hands often and also regularly cleaning these objects to further prevent the spread of germs. 

Respiratory Hygiene
Many disease are spread in the air through respiratory droplets created by coughing or sneezing.  Germs can travel three feet or more when you cough or sneeze.  It is important to always cover your mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of colds, flu and other infections.  If you do have an infection it is your duty to be aware that you are not spreading this to others.  Remember these points:
-  Use a clean tissue to cover your mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing. 
-  Dispose of used tissues in the rubbish bin
-  Wash your hands once you dispose of the  used tissue.
-  If you don’t have a tissue use the inside of you elbow or upper arm to cover your mouth and/or nose.  Avoid using your hands as this is how germs spread. 
-  Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth
-  Be aware of the objects you are handling that may spread germs to others

Avoid Close Contact
If you do have an infection remember to keep your distance from others especially those who are more susceptible to contracting illness.  This includes those with weaker or underdeveloped immune systems such as the elderly, asthmatics, pregnant women or babies.  If you are around others inform them that you are sick so that they are aware to take the proper hygiene precautions.

If you are a caregiver make sure you are up to date with Standard Hygiene Precautions and Infection Control Procedures.  Make sure protective clothing such as masks and gloves are available to you and make it your duty to remind others of hand washing procedures. 

Personal hygiene helps keep your immune system from being overwhelmed by germs.  Your skin acts as an important barrier between germs and your body.  While our skin has a natural microflora to help protect us from nasty germs they can still enter our bodies through susceptible areas such as our nose, mouth, eyes or broken skin such as cuts.  Follow good personal hygiene and common sense to help limit the possibility of these germs finding their way into your body. 

We wish you a healthy, happy, germ free winter! 

Vaccination Stress - Investigate Before You Vaccinate

We Urge You to Investigate Before You Vaccinate Because Every Issue Has Two Sides… 

Flu season is upon us.  Epidemics of flu happen every year but we are already seeing miserable symptoms like fever, coughs, congestion and body aches in Clinic.  What goes hand in hand with the flu season is medical experts like Influenza Specialist Group (ISG) urging Australians to get the flu vaccination.  Each year the flu causes more than 18,000 hospitalisations in Australia and costs our healthcare system an estimated $85 million.  So is the flu vaccination right for you or is there an alternative? 

Influenza, or the common ‘flu’, is caused by a virus and mainly spreads through the air by coughing, sneezing or talking, and by direct contact with an infected person’s hands, surface or object.  It is thought that the flu virus can survive for more than 8 hours on a hard surface; therefore touching contaminated surfaces without then washing your hands can lead to infection.  It infects your respiratory system such as the nose, throat and sometimes your lungs.  Symptoms can be mild or severe and lead to complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis which can require hospitalisation. Sometimes these complications can lead to death. Those with underlying medical conditions are considered at high risk for complications of the flu and are especially urged to get vaccinated.  Authorities continue to advise there is a need to get vaccinated every year because the viruses circulating in the community continually change and immunity from the vaccine does not last a long time.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) you can minimise your risk of getting the flu by at least 70 percent by vaccinating.  Experts say that those that are prone to flu complications, like the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, can cut the risk of dying from the flu by 80 percent. 

The theory behind flu vaccination is that if we are injected with a modified or weakened form of flu virus strains our bodies will generate an immune response without contracting the disease.  Once exposed to these strains of virus’ our immune system will be primed to respond quickly and the symptoms of the flu virus will not develop.  While the concept of vaccination may be necessary the way we are administering vaccination may not be how nature intended.

Our body has a unique way of protecting us from the environment around us that contains all of those nasty microorganisms including viruses and bacteria that produce disease.  Mucous membranes that line our digestive system and airways trap and screen anything inhaled or swallowed and expel or digest it, especially if harmful.  This is known as our first line of immune defence.  Vaccinations that are injected into the soft tissue of the body bypass the skin and mucous membranes, this first line of immune defence.  Furthermore they introduce viruses (and bacteria when considering other vaccinations) that are chemically and/or genetically modified and contaminated with preservatives, foreign tissues, proteins and other viruses. 

Our body’s initial exposure to bacteria, viruses or foreign microorganisms and the defence that prevents these from entering the blood stream is called the ‘cell mediated response’.  Injecting vaccinations allows these harmful microorganisms to have access to the blood stream without warning through the natural cell mediated response.  This method of exposure to disease does not occur in our natural environment.  This exposure results in only the humeral arm of the immune system being stimulated by the flood of antigens and additives that react to an antibody response.  A normal exposure to disease producing viruses or bacteria is necessary to initiate a full immune response.  

Consider that the term ‘vaccination’ is used instead of ‘immunisation’.  The term immunisation implies that you have gained immunity by the procedure and this is may not be the case.  This years flu vaccination ‘AGRIPPAL® 2014’ will protect against three strains of the influenza virus only.  Do not assume you will be immune to every strain of the influenza virus after vaccination.   The antigen composition and strains for the 2014 influenza season corresponds to the following types:

  -  A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09 – like strain (A/California/7/2009, NYMC X-181);

  -  A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2) – like strain (A/Texas/50/2012, NYMC X-223); and

  -  B/Massachusetts/2/2012– like strain. 

The information pamphlet from the AGRIPPAL® 2014 vaccination will tell you that each 0.5 mL vaccine dose contains 15μg haemagglutinin of each of the recommended strains.  The vaccine preparation also contains Sodium chloride 4.0 mg, Potassium chloride 0.1 mg, Potassium dihydrogen phosphate 0.1 mg, Sodium phosphate-dibasic 0.66 mg, Magnesium chloride 0.05 mg, Calcium chloride 0.06 mg and Water for Injections to 0.5 mL.

The vaccine may contain residues of the following substances: eggs, chicken proteins, kanamycin sulfate, neomycin sulfate, sodium citrate, barium sulfate, formaldehyde, sucrose, cetrimonium bromide (CTAB), polysorbate 80 and less than 0.2 μg of ovalbumin per 0.5 mL dose. Agrippal should not be administered to subjects with a known hypersensitivity to the active substance, to any of the excipients and to eggs, chicken proteins, kanamycin, neomycin, formaldehyde, barium sulfate, cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) or Polysorbate 80, or to anyone who has had an anaphylactoid reaction to a previous influenza vaccination.

If your slightly baffled about what those actual ingredients are then you should do your research.  Some of these ingredients are used in the manufacturing process and are present in trace amounts in the vaccine.  Kanamycin and neomycin are antibiotics that are added to vaccines to inhibit bacterial growth.  Interestingly vaccine manufacturers Merck, Sharpe and Dohme state that neomycin should only be given orally or topically, and in small amounts because of its toxicity when absorbed through the skin.  Formaldehyde is used to inactivate or turn off the bacterial or viral material in vaccines.  As an antibacterial substance it is used for embalming and cleaning and is a known carcinogen (linked with cancer)!  The effects of exposure to formaldehyde via a vaccine injection have not been studied but the information from the AGRIPPAL® 2014 vaccination does state that it has not been tested for carcinogenic or genotoxic potential.

Much of the research and information on ingredients in vaccines and their side effects and hazards are only available for ingestion or skin or lung exposure.  It is known that two chemicals together may be 10 times as toxic as they are separately and 3 chemicals together may be 100 times more toxic.  These chemicals are detoxified by the liver through phase I and phase II detoxification systems.  We continually see patients with stress on this vital organ after exposure to vaccinations.  You should consider harmful components contained in vaccines and potential side effects before vaccination. 

If you do choose the flu vaccination this season remember this does not mean you will not get the flu.  Building your immune system naturally and being kind to your body will always offer you a better chance of health and happiness.  For more information on vaccinations we recommend you contact the following organisation in South Australia:
Vaccination Information SA (VISA)
PO Box 643 Magill SA 5072
Phone:  (08) 8336 5236
Email:  visa@adelaide.on.net
www.visainfo.org.au
Please talk to our friendly staff at reception if you wish to enquire about boosting your immune system this year to prepare for the flu season ahead.