Caffeine – How is it Harming You?

What is caffeine doing to your health?

Once you get in the cycle of drinking caffeinated beverages, you lose sleep nightly and you have to keep taking the drug. If you try to stop taking caffeine, you get tired and depressed. You’ll also get a horrible headache as blood vessels in the brain dilate. These negative effects force you back to caffeine even if you want to stop.

Caffeine is similar in structure to adenosine, a chemical found in the brain that slows down its activity. It is this slowdown that allows you to sleep. Since the two compete, the more caffeine you drink, the less adenosine is available up to a point. That’s why caffeine temporarily heightens concentration and wards off fatigue.

Within 30 to 60 minutes of drinking a cup of coffee, caffeine reaches peak concentrations in the bloodstream. It typically takes four to six hours for its effects to wear off.

Smokers remove caffeine from their blood twice as fast as nonsmokers. That may be why smokers tend to drink more coffee.

The average American adult consumes about 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day, and the top ten percent consume an average of 400 mg, according to John J. Barone, who tracks caffeine consumption at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta.

As little as 200 mg of caffeine is enough to make some people feel nervous and anxious. It might take even less for cola-guzzling kids.

Soft drinks accounts for about 10% of the caffeine we consume (NAH December 1996). Coffee accounts for about 75%.

What Health Effects are There?

Blood Pressure. Caffeine may cause a slight, temporary rise.

Caffeine Addiction. "Caffeine is a mildly addictive drug…," says Roland Griffiths, professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Often, people who are reducing caffeine intake report being irritable, unable to work, nervous, restless, and feeling sleepy, as well as having a headache. In extreme cases, nausea and vomiting has also been reported.

Cancer. Caffeine is thought to be a factor for cancer of the lower urinary tract, including the bladder. Some studies have found the rates for these cancers to be significantly higher in people who drink more than three cups of coffee a day. Caffeine is also known to damage cellular DNA and to impair its normal repair, thereby adding to the potential risk for cancer.

However, a 1986 study of 16,600 individuals published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found no relationship between coffee consumption and cancer risk. The most recent review by the International Agency for Research on Cancer also concluded that data do not support a link between caffeine consumption and cancer in humans.

According to the American Cancer Society, "Available information does not suggest a recommendation against the moderate use of coffee. There is no indication that caffeine, a natural component of both coffee and tea, is a risk factor in human cancer."

Fertility. On men, it has been shown that caffeine reduces rates of sperm motility which may account for some findings of reduced fertility.

Headaches. Caffeine increases the power of aspirin and other painkillers by about 40 percent. That’s why it’s in products like Anacin and Excedrin. Caffeine also appears to work by itself. In a 1991 study, 65 mg of caffeine as just as effective as 648 mg of acetaminophen in alleviating non-migraine headache symptoms. And doctors often treat migraines by prescribing combinations of caffeine and other drugs that constrict blood vessels in the brain.

Metabolism. Caffeine increases the level of circulating fatty acids. This has been shown to increase the oxidation of these fuels, hence enhancing fat oxidation. Caffeine has been used for years by runners and endurance people to enhance fatty acid metabolism. It's particularly effective in those who are not habitual users.

Osteoporosis. Caffeine can be hard on your bones. You lose about five milligrams of calcium for every six ounces of coffee or two cans of cola (Janet Barger-Lux of Creighton University’s Osteoporosis Research Unit in Omaha, Nebraska).

“Two tablespoons of milk or yogurt for each cup of coffee you drink will replace the lost calcium,” says Barger-Lux.

In other research it was shown that caffeine intake is not a significant risk factor for osteoporosis, particularly in women who consume adequate calcium. A 1994 NIH advisory panel concluded that caffeine has not been found to affect calcium absorption or excretion significantly. Several studies conducted to date show no link between moderate caffeine consumption and bone density and mineral content in women who consume some calcium in their diet.

Problem Solving. “Caffeine speeds up reaction time and improves automatic processing skills like doing arithmetic problems and proofreading,” says author Stephen Braun. “But for more complicated tasks, like complex word problems, caffeine has also been shown to worsen performance.”

Sleep. Caffeine can delay the onset of sleep. It can also interfere with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the stage when people dream. In a recent study, women in Iowa who routinely took caffeine-containing medications reported having more trouble falling asleep at night than women who took no caffeinated medications.

Weight-loss. In 1991, the FDA banned the use of caffeine in over-the-counter weight-loss aids because it has no long-term effect on weight (From NAH December 1996). Caffeine is not an appetite suppressant.

Other Potential Health Problems
Caffeine may cause miscarriages, insomnia, and other problems, according to more than 40 scientific studies outlined in a 70-page petition filed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

Spurred by legal action by CSPI in the 1970s, the FDA issued an advisory in 1981 warning that "Pregnant women should avoid caffeine-containing foods and drugs, if possible, or consume them only sparingly." The FDA still maintains that advisory as its official policy. A growing body of evidence suggests that caffeine consumption by women who are pregnant or might become pregnant increases the risk of delayed conception, fetal growth retardation, and miscarriage.

Inconclusive Caffeine – Health StudiesSome studies suggest that high levels of caffeine intake may delay time to conception, but these findings are inconclusive and often inconsistent when other lifestyle variables are considered. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard Medical School and the University of California at Berkeley show that moderate caffeine consumption does not reduce a woman's chance of becoming pregnant.

A report from the National Research Council on Diet and Health stated, "evidence linking coffee consumption to the risk of coronary heart disease...is weak and inconsistent." A 1989 report from the well-respected Framingham Heart Study examined all potential links between caffeine intake and cardiovascular disease, and found no harmful effects from drinking coffee. A later Harvard University study confirmed this report, concluding that caffeine intake does not "appreciably increase the risk of coronary heart disease or stroke."

CAFFEINE AND HEALTH
Most experts agree that moderation and common sense are the keys for consuming caffeine-containing foods and beverages. Moderate caffeine consumption is considered to be about 300 mg. which is equal to 3 cups of coffee, but this depends on the individual and can vary from one to several beverages.

SENSITIVITY
People differ greatly in their sensitivity to caffeine. Caffeine does not accumulate in the bloodstream or body and is normally excreted within several hours following consumption.

Caffeine may increase alertness in tired individuals and enhance performance of certain tasks. Many people find caffeinated beverages can help them stay alert when they work or study. Individual sensitivity and frequency of consumption determine the effect of caffeine on sleep.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) research indicates there is no difference in the way children and adults handle caffeine. These studies have shown that caffeine-containing foods and beverages do not have an effect on hyperactivity or the attention span of children.

CONCLUSION
"Moderate tea or coffee drinkers probably need have no concern for their health relative to their caffeine consumption provided other lifestyle habits (diet, alcohol consumption) are moderate, as well." The American Medical Association.

The most important long-term problem is the effect that caffeine has on sleep. Adenosine reception is important to sleep, and especially to deep sleep. The half-life of caffeine in your body is about 6 hours. If you drink any into the late afternoon you may be hurting your ability to sleep effectively. You may be able to fall asleep, but your body probably will miss out on the benefits of deep sleep. That deficit adds up fast. The next day you feel worse, so you need caffeine as soon as you get out of bed. The cycle continues day after day.

This is why 90% of Americans consume caffeine every day. Once you get in the cycle, you have to keep taking the drug.

See www.piecefulpursuits.com for natural alternatives fo sleep problems. Essential oils for sleep related problems include lavender, valerian, and marjoram. Lavender is also good for anxiety.

Lavender Essential Oil Benefits- Supporting Studies

Lavender has also been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises, and skin irritations. The fragrance is calming, relaxing, and balancing -- physically and emotionally.

Lavender
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Lavandula
Species: Angustifolia

Lavender has been used in folk medicine for centuries to calm stress and promote sleep. Tradition relates how lavender flowers were put in linen bags under pillows to promote sleep. Lavender flowers were used in ancient Rome to scent public baths and were also carried by the Roman army as a disinfectant. Modern clinical research supports the ability of aromatic lavender to reduce stress and agitation.

Lavender vs. Caffeine Agitation (Buchbauer et al., 1994) University of Vienna found that diffusing lavender oil into the air reduced the agitation of test subjects injected with caffeine. Lavender outperformed its two main constituents, linalol and linalyl acetate, suggesting a synergistic effect.

Lavender Improves Sleep (G. Cannard, 1993) A study at the Tullamore General Hospital in Ireland applied one drop of a lavender oil blend to each of the four corners of patients' mattresses. The lavender oil blend was also vaporized into the air during the night.

Lavender for Sleep (Wolfe, 1996) A study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry reported results of a pilot study of two patients with dementia. Nighttime aromatherapy with the essential oils of lavender and Roman chamomile increased the duration of one patient's sleep and resulted in the second patient being taken off sleep medication.

Lavender for Daytime Alertness (Hudson, 1995) One drop of lavender oil was applied to the pillows of nine elderly patients for one week each night. Eight of the nine patients reported improved wakefulness and alertness during the day, suggesting improved and higher quality sleep at night.

Lavender vs. Insomnia (Hardy et al., 1995) A study published in The Lancet reported on using lavender oil to treat geriatric patients with chronic insomnia. Researchers found that inhalation of ambient lavender oil outperformed sleep medications in improving sleep duration and quality. No side effects were reported.

Lavender vs. Sleep (R. Hudson, 1996) A controlled clinical trial tested the ability of nighttime lavender aromas to improve sleep in elderly patients.

72% of patients receiving lavender aromatherapy slept well
11% of lavender patients receiving no odor slept well
79% of lavender patients reported having a good day
26% of no-odor patients reported having a good day
The Sense of Smell Institute (New York), in conjunction with Wesleyan University, has tested the effects of lavender on nighttime sleep and found that it improved sleep in men and women(2004-02-04). In the study, Namni Goel found that lavender increased the amount of time subjects spend in slow wave, or deep sleep, resulting in increased energy and alertness the next day.

Lavender vs. Cognitive Abilities (Knasko, 1992) A randomized controlled study tested the effect of lavender aroma on 92 adults. Researchers found that subjects in the lavender group displayed better cognitive abilities and better moods than the unscented control group.

(Diego et al., 1999) A University of Miami study administered 3 minutes of aromatherapy to 40 healthy adults. Researchers found that subjects exposed to lavender aromas were less depressed and scored higher on mathematical tests (performing faster and more accurately). Subjects also exhibited increased beta waves in the brain and exhibited lower anxiety scores.

Lavender vs. Cholesterol (Nikolaevskii et al., 1990) Inhalation of lavender reduced atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of the aorta (the chief blood supply to the brain) even though it did not reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.

Lavender vs. Blood Pressure (Romine et al., 1999) A University of Alaska study found that lavender reduced blood pressure. In this randomized controlled clinical trial on 20 healthy men, scientists found that 10 minutes of lavender inhalation resulted in lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures, lower arterial pressures, and slower heart rates compared with the control group.

Lavender vs. Senility (Holmes et al., 2002) A placebo-controlled University of Southampton School of Medicine study found that diffused lavender oil was effective in treating agitated behavior caused by dementia. Five percent of people over age 65 and 20% of people over age 80 have senile dementia.

Lavender vs. Dementia - Two percent lavender oil solution was diffused for two hours on alternate days. Sixty percent of patients showed an improvement. Thirty-three percent of patients showed no change.

Lavender vs. Inflammation (Hajhashemi et al., 2003) A study conducted by the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences tested the effect of ingested lavender oil on inflammation. Test subjects fed 200 mg/K body weight of lavender oil displayed substantially reduced inflammation (as shown by carrageenan-induced edema).

Lavender vs. Fungi (Inouye et al., 2003) A Teikyo University study in Japan found that diffusing essential oils "appears to offer promise" for inhalation therapy of respiratory tract infection. Fumigation of rooms for prevention of aerial infection. Researchers found that diffusing lavender oil (10mg per Liter of air or 0.7 ppm) was more than needed (0.3 ppm) to suppress the growth of pathogenic fungi on surfaces.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The Amazing Immune System

The Amazing Immune System
Your immune system is able to identify and destroy many foreign invaders. The immune system can also identify cells that are infected internally with viruses, as well as many cells that are on their way to becoming tumors. It does all of this work so the body remains healthy.

How the Immune System Works
The immune system wages war on the organ, tissue and cellular fronts. It encompasses the lymphatic vessels and organs (lymph nodes, tonsils), white blood cells, specialized cells in particular tissues and customized chemicals. Lymph is a pale liquid consisting chiefly of blood plasma and white blood cells, circulating in thin-walled tubes and bathing in thin-walled tubes. Powered by muscle movement (an important reason why exercise boosts immunity), the lymphatic system collects and transports lymphatic system to the lymph nodes. These nodes contain certain immune cells and filter out invading antigens, as well as produce antibodies, before siphoning the lymph out into the bloodstream. If you've ever had "swollen glands," that means your lymph nodes have been in overdrive. Macrophages are the immune cells that filter lymph, consuming bacteria and cellular debris while protecting the lymph system from invasion and damage. Two organs dominate immune function:

The Thymus, the most critical gland of the immune system, produces T lymphocytes, white blood cells responsible for cell-mediated immunity not controlled by antibodies. This immune response is tailored to specific antigens and is vital to resisting infection from mold-like bacteria including yeast, fungi, parasites and such viruses as Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex and hepatitis. It also protects against cancer, allergies and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

The Spleen, the largest mass (about seven ounces) of lymphatic tissue in the body, produces white blood cells, which engulf and destroy bacteria and cellular debris. The spleen also recycles material from worn out red cells and platelets, as well as produces immune system enhancing compounds and spleen extracts.

The job of your immune system is to protect your body from infections in different ways:
It creates a barrier that prevents bacteria and viruses from entering your body.
If a bacteria or virus does get into the body, the immune system tries to detect and eliminate it before it can make itself at home and reproduce.

If the virus or bacteria is able to reproduce and start causing problems, your immune system is in charge of eliminating it.

The immune system also has several other important jobs. For example, your immune system can detect cancer in early stages and eliminate it in many cases.

The Effects of a Weakened Immune System
A weakened immune system leaves the body vulnerable to virtually every type of illness and disease. Immune systems weakened by poor nutrition and too much stress will have difficulty getting you back to good health.

Many human ailments are caused by the immune system working in unexpected or incorrect ways. For example, allergies are really just the immune system overreacting to certain stimuli that other people don't react to at all. Some people have diabetes, which is caused by the immune system inappropriately attacking cells in the pancreas and destroying them. Some people have rheumatoid arthritis, which is caused by the immune system acting inappropriately in the joints. In many different diseases, the cause is actually an immune system error.

Signs of a Compromised Immune System
Fatigue, lethargy, repeated infections, slow wound healing, allergies, thrush, colds, and flu are all signs that the body’s immune system is functioning below par.

The Keys to a Healthy Immune System
□ Regular exercise
□ Stress relief
□ Proper nutrition
□ Detoxification
□ Proper Acidity/pH levels


Frequency
Essential oils are nature's perfect solutions for the problems that chemicals, poor nutrition and stress have added to our lives. Essential oils have frequencies from 52-320 Hz, the highest frequency of any natural substance known to man, creating an environment in which disease, bacteria, virus, etc. cannot live. Rose, for example, has a frequency of 320 Hz.

A healthy body has a frequency of 62-72 Hz. If the frequency drops to 58 Hz, cold and flu symptoms appear, at 55 Hz, diseases like Candida take hold, and at 42 Hz, cancer (Bruce Tainio, 1992). Dr. Royal R. Rife reports that every disease has a frequency and certain frequencies can prevent the development of disease. Substances with higher frequencies will destroy diseases of a lower frequency.

-Pollutants lower healthy frequency
-Processed/canned food has a frequency of zero
-Fresh produce (up to 15 Hz)
-Dry herbs (12-22 Hz)
-Fresh herbs (20-27 Hz)

One look at the frequencies of a few essential oils will show the potential effect they have on your immune system:

Thieves Kit ~ 150 MHz
St. Maries Lavender ~ 118 MHz
Peace & Calming ~ 105 MHz
Clarity ~ 101 MHz
Magnify Your Purpose ~ 99 MHz
Immupower ~ 89 MHz
Brain Power ~ 78 MHz
R.C. ~ 75 MHz

Nutrition
Today, it is believed that common killers such as cancer and cardiovascular disease may have their roots in nutritional deficiencies. You will have to use nutritional supplements to avoid these deficiencies. Inflammation is one of the leading factors contributing to disease, and has various causes (bacterial infection, poor diet, chemicals, hormonal imbalance, or physical injury).

-Research shows microwave oven-cooked food suffers severe molecular damage, that
when eaten, causes abnormal changes in human blood and immune systems.
-Frequent consumption of foods containing artificial flavors, colors, MSG, and other additives can diminish the effectiveness of the immune system

Young Living sells food and dietary supplements of the highest quality that are enriched with therapeutic-grade essential oils. One of the greatest threats to health in our fast-paced society is the highly processed, chemical-, fat-, and sugar-laden foods eaten on a daily basis. A great need of the modern world is convenience foods rich in nutrition. Young Living creates food products similar to those eaten by people who live to an old age, while remaining healthy, alert, and self sufficient. All food products contain nutrient-dense, natural, whole ingredients and are free of sugars and artificial sweeteners. Dr. Gary Young discovered in clinical practice while doing bacteriology studies with the blood that there was a substantial amount of undigested protein in the blood serum that could not penetrate the cell membrane because of low oxygen levels. When he enhanced foods and supplements with essential oils, he did not detect any undigested food in the blood. He also discovered that supplements enhanced with essential oils increase the absorption of food nutrients and aid in the detoxification of the body.

Nutrients and Minerals
Nothing is more important than getting the proper nutrients and minerals from your diet. Your emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being are dependent on your bodies assimilation of nutrients from the food you eat. If you feed your body junk, you will probably gain weight while failing to gain any nutritional value. Worse than the wrong kind of food is undernutrition.

Starvation affects the body in numerous ways:
-Frequent, often fatal diarrhea
-Impaired ability to fight infections and repair wounds
-Loss of sex drive
-Thin, dry, inelastic skin and dry, sparse hair that falls out easily
-Apathy and irritability
-Reduced heart size, reduced amount of blood pumped, slow heart rate, and low blood
pressure
-In older people, mental dysfunction
-Anemia (red blood cell count is too low); results in the blood carrying less oxygen, and the development of fatigue and weakness
-Reduced size of ovaries in women and testes in men

Acidity and pH levels determine your level of health...

Dozens of health conditions, including asthma, chronic tiredness, depression, acne and allergies, are present due to an acidic environment in the terrain and can be improved or eliminated by modulating the pH back to the proper range of 6.3 to 6.7. Even serious health conditions such as cancer, autoimmune diseases and certain mental health conditions are linked to extremely acidic levels below 5.0. One major point in understanding pH is that most diseases have an infection component, including virus, bacteria, fungi or parasitic activity that are pathogens that thrive in a very low oxygen or acidic environment. One key to reducing micro-organism overload is to cleanse the blood, improve oxygen in the body and modulate pH.

Chemicals Kill...
The World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that at least 80% of all cancer is attributable to environmental influences, specifically human-produced carcinogens. These carcinogens are found in most personal care, cosmetic, and oral hygiene products.

The A.M.A. confesses that the side effects of prescription drugs is now the 4th leading cause of death in America.

Toxicity
Toxicity is of much greater concern in the twentieth century than ever before. There are many new and stronger chemicals, air and water pollution, radiation and nuclear power. We ingest new chemicals, use more drugs of all kinds, eat more sugar and refined foods, and daily abuse ourselves with various stimulants and sedatives. The incidence of many toxicity diseases (cancer and cardiovascular disease) has increased as well. Arthritis, allergies, obesity, and many skin problems are others. In addition, symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, pains, coughs, gastrointestinal problems, and problems from immune weakness, can all be related to toxicity.

Sugars and Sweeteners
Sugar drains the body of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in the process of being burned for energy.

Sugars retard immune response by decreasing neutrophil activity. Neutrophils is a form of white blood cell that comprises a central part of immunity. One study showed that within one hour of ingestion of 100 grams of sugar, neutrophil activity dropped 50% and remained below normal for another four hours (Castleman, 1997).

Worse yet are artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure) users suffer from symptoms ranging from headaches, numbness and seizures to joint pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, M.S., and epilepsy. Aspartame is known as an “excitotoxin” because it allows too much calcium into brain cells, killing certain neurons.

Environmental medicine recognizes that illness in the individual can be caused by a broad range of inciting substances, including foods; chemicals found in the home and workplace; chemicals in air, water, and food; and inhalant materials, including pollens, molds, dust, dust mites, and danders. Individual susceptibility to these exposures can vary widely. The response to these exposures over time is specific to each person's own level of susceptibility and can manifest differently from person to person.

The factors contributing to the sensitivity of the patient are related to genetics, nutritional status, effectiveness of detoxification pathways, and total allergic and chemical load at the time. Biochemical individuality determines the adequacy of nutritional stores and influences the ability to operate the detoxification pathways effectively and thus contributes to the individual's degree of sensitivity.

Antioxidants are natural or synthetic substances that help inhibit destructive oxygen- and free radical-induced deterioration (oxidation) of substances and tissues in the body. This ability is determined by its ORAC score (oxygen radical absorbance capacity).

A comparison of the highest known antioxidant foods vs. essential oils…

Essential Oils Foods
Clove 1,078,700
Myrrh 379,800
Citronella 312,000
Coriander 298,300
Fennel 238,400
Clary Sage 221,000
German Chamomile 218,600
Cedarwood 169,000

Foods Antioxidant Capacity
Berry Young Juice 3,604
Blueberries 2,400
Kale 1,770
Strawberries 1,540
Spinach 1,260
Raspberries 1,220
Brussels sprouts 980
Plums 949

What does this all mean? It means that you can boost your immune system by using essential oils to increase antioxidant activity.

Fortifying the Immune System

Dietary supplements containing essential oils can boost immune system function.

ImmuPro – a complex of polysaccharides, beta glucans, minerals and essential oils that is regarded as the strongest immune stimulant known.

Exodus II – blended with oils referenced in the Old and New Testaments.

Exodus – a strong immune builder

Sulfurzyme – contains MSM and Chinese Wolfberry.

ImmuPower – a blend to strengthen, build, and protect the body.

ImmuneTune – has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumoral properties. Helps maintain electrolyte and pH balance.

Radex – contains herbs and essential oils that have been researched for their antioxidant properties and their effects on DNA-damaging free radicals. This blend also contains Super Oxide Dismutase, widely reported to be another powerful free-radical scavenger.

Super C – a special formula of ascorbic acid, scientifically balanced with rutin, bioflavonids, and trace minerals to balance electrolytes and assist in the absorption of vitamin C. The essential oils of grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, and mandarin may increase the oxygen and bioflavonoid activity.

Thyromin – a special blend of glandular extracts, herbs, amino acids, minerals, and essential oils to support the thyroid. This gland regulates body metabolism and temperature and is important to immune function.

Protec – a blend of essential and vegetable oils designed for a night-long retention enema. Studies by Terry Friedman, MD showed reversal of prostate cancer in a number of patients.

Mineral Essence – a precisely balanced complex of essential oils and more than 60 trace minerals that are essential to a healthy immune system. It includes well-known antioxidants and immune-supporters such as zinc, selenium and magnesium.

Other Products for Supporting the Immune System

Single oils: Frankincense with ravensara, thyme, helichrysum, oregano, rosemary, chamomile, Idaho tansy, mountain savory, Melissa, lavender, grapefruit, lemon, cinnamon, clove, cumin, cistus, melaleuca, myrrh, myrtle, rose, vetiver, or lemongrass.

Blends: Frankincense with Thieves, ImmuPower, Abundance, Acceptance, Humility, R.C., or 3 Wise Men.

Supplements: Super B, Royal Essence, VitaGreen, Power Meal, ArthroTune, Rehemogen, AlkaLime, Ultra Young, Cleansing Trio, JuvaTone, and Wolfberry Bar.

Other Steps for Maintaining a Healthy Immune System

1. Cleanse the colon and liver of toxins and accumulated waste that can sap energy and down-regulate immune response. Try “The Cleansing Trio” for a complete cleansing solution.
2. Avoid excess fear, anxiety, and depression, which can undermine and compromise immune function. Continual daily use of essential oils is optimal to overcome stress.
3. Avoid physical and mental overexertion which can downregulate immune response. Essential oils, such as lavender, can have a powerful relaxant effect on the mind and body, and thus stimulate immune function.
4. Maintain a healthy, balanced diet. A diet high in minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc, and folic acid play a crucial role in optimizing immune response.

a. Berry Young Juice is rich in essential minerals, documented to double macrophage
activity in studies at Weber State University.
b. Essential Manna is rich in potassium, magnesium, selenium, zinc and numerous other
nutrients.
c. Berry Young Delights are loaded with essential minerals, phytonutrients, and FOS (to enhance mineral absorption).
5. Avoid contaminated or chlorinated water. Chlorine inhibits thyroid function interfering with its uptake of iodine and the amino acid tyrosine and therefore slows down metabolism, circulation, and immune function. Chlorine has been link to birth defects in children.
6. Stimulate the immune system using selected essential oils and supplements.
a. Grapefruit, lemon, lemongrass, and R.C. promote leukocyte (white blood cell) formation.
b. ImmuneTune, ImmuPro (polysaccharide complex) and Exodus (herbal complex) build
and support the immune system. Exodus II is a companion to both supplements.
c. VitaGreen encourages healthy blood and boosts immune function.
7. Diffuse essential oils to reduce airborne pathogens and viruses that can overwhelm the immune system. ImmuPower
8. Inhalation of essential oils can increase immune function through their ability to stimulate the hypothalamus. According to studies conducted by Dr. Asawa of Japan and Dr. Richardson of England, inhalation of unadulterated essential oils increase blood flow to the brain by 15% and brain blood oxygen levels by 25%.
9. Eliminate parasites which compromise immune function by overloading the system.
10. Use essential oils in massage applications or take as dietary supplements. Research from the Universities of Cairo, Geneva, and Paris indicate that essential oils are one of the highest known sources of antioxidants.
a. Thieves, Exodus II, mountain savory, abundance, ImmuPower
11. Support the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is crucial to regulating body metabolism, energy levels, and balancing immunity.
12. Use antioxidants.
a. Longevity is the highest antioxidant supplement.
b. Berry Young Juice is the highest antioxidant juice.
c. Super C contains vitamin C and bioflavonoids and acts as a strong immune support.
d. Essential Manna contains an extremely wide variety of natural antioxidants.
13. Reduce candida and fungal overgrowth in the body. These can seriously impair and overload immune function. Alkaline ash whole foods and FOS (fructoligosaccharides) can minimize fungal growth.
a. Stevia Select is a supersweet, noncaloric supplement containing FOS and stevioside.
b. Essential Manna is a whole food complex of alkaline-ash nutrients.Increase intake of antioxidants when exposed to radiation, feeling fatigue from it, or if you are flying with commercial airlines (because of the greater exposure to radiation due to the high altitude) an increased daily amount of antioxidant supplements are needed.

One Bottle Of Essential Oils Goes A Long Ways

Essential oils are the most potent, effective and all natural means available anywhere for bolstering the human immune system. This boost in immune system effectiveness may protect you against numerous illnesses.

Each 5 ml bottle of essential oil contains approximately 240 drops. As one to two drops are normally used, one bottle should last anywhere from 120 to 240 days. If you were to use prescription drugs for that length of time, it would be far more than you’d ever pay for oils. Prescription drugs also result in side effects and toxic accumulations in your body whereas high-grade essential oils don’t.

Essential oils range in price from $9.00 to $149 for 5 ml and 15 ml bottles. The price is dependent on many factors such as:

-Distillation process (tubs, condenser, receiver, etc.)
-Availability of source (plant, tree, shrub, etc.)
-Cost to harvest (manual vs. mechanized)
-Amount of source needed to extract oil; it can take as many as 500 to 2,000 pounds or more of raw plant material to produce just a single pound of pure essential oil.
-Transportation costs (associated with geographical area)
-Soil nourishment: enzymes, minerals, and organic mulch
-Labor
-Machinery operating costs (fuel and repair)
-Land costs
-Utilities, insurance, etc.
-Building repairs
-Seed
-Marketing
-Other expenses such as loan interest, property tax, depreciation, etc.

Before you consider inferior quality or adulterated oils remember that they are unlikely to produce therapeutic results and may even be toxic. Young Living offers the most pure, completely natural essential oils found anywhere in the world. Young Living carefully harvests its source and distills it for maximum effectiveness. In fact, Young Living manages thousands of acres of its own plants, trees, and bushes to guarantee you the most potent, effective essential oils found anywhere.

Read more at www.essentialoilsfirst.com.

Varying Qualities of Essential Oils

Essential oils are immune stimulating, anti-viral, anti-infectious, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic. Their effectiveness, however, is highly dependent on the quality of the source (plant, shrub, flower, tree, bush, or seed) and the process used to extract it.

Young Living essential oils are cold distilled from only the highest quality plants and trees available. Other brands of oils may be derived from a second and third distillation of the same plant material. Obviously, subsequent distillations will not produce oils of the same potency. Other oils that are also subjected to high heat and pressure result in a distinctly inferior and simpler profile of chemical constituents. Worse yet are the oils that have been adulterated, engineered, or “extended” with the use of synthetic chemicals.

The purity of oils is determined by its’ chemical constituents which are affected by:
-The part(s) of the plant used
-Soil condition: the soil should be nourished with enzymes, minerals, and organic mulch.
-Fertilizer (organic or chemical)
-Climate
-Harvesting methods (time of day, season, amount of dew on leaves, and percentage of plant in bloom)
-Irrigation (watering) source: avoid municipal water or secondary run-off water from residential and commercial areas that may contain chemical residues.
-Altitude
-Geographical region
-Distillation process
-Contact with chemically reactive metals (copper or aluminum) during periods of high temperature and pressure. Temperature can alter the chemical constituents of the oil, the pH, and the electrical polarity.

Inferior quality or adulterated oils are unlikely to produce therapeutic results and may be toxic.

Young Living manages thousands of acres of its own plants, trees, and bushes to guarantee you the most potent, effective essential oils found anywhere.

Facts about Young Living:
-Founded by D. Gary Young in 1993, Young Living Essential Oils is world renowned for exceptionally high-quality essential oils, dietary supplements, personal care products, and other unique solutions for healthy lifestyles.
-One of the world's leaders in the cultivation, distillation, and production of organically grown, guaranteed pure essential oils.
-The first company to combine guaranteed pure essential oils with dietary supplements.
-Sells products in over 20 different foreign markets, including Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, and Russia.
-Has more than 250,000 distributors
-Had sales growth of over 4,000 percent during the past five years.
-Uses a proprietary low-pressure, low-temperature stainless steel steam distillation system designed by Gary Young to preserve the high quality of essential oils.
-Owns more than 1,800 acres of organic farmland in Utah and Idaho, with over 70,000 square feet of greenhouse space.
-Annually harvests and distills over 2,000 acres of wild herbs and vegetation.
-Participates in joint-venture research farms in Provence, France, and Seville, Spain.

To learn more, visit www.piecefulpursuits.com

Treating arthritis with glucosamine

Arthritis

Glucosamine has been shown to rehabilitate cartilage; reduce the progression of osteoarthritis; and significantly lessen pain from arthritis. The best part is it’s all natural.Arthritis affects 46.5% of all persons aged 65 and over (Fife, Bruce, The Detox Book, 1997, P. 30). Arthritis is not a localized problem, but a metabolic or chemical dysfunction of the entire body. In order to get lasting relief from arthritis, the entire body must be put back into chemical balance (Fife, P. 82).

Glucosamine is very beneficial in the treatment for arthritis and is backed by numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. In these studies, glucosamine has been shown to rehabilitate cartilage; reduce the progression of osteoarthritis; and significantly lessen pain from arthritis. While glucosamine is believed to play a role in cartilage formation and repair, chondroitin gives cartilage its elasticity.

Young Living offers glucosamine via its BLM capsules. BLM Capsules Type II Collagen is an easily absorbed source of Glucosamine Sulfate, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin. These ingredients have been shown in numerous studies to support the body as it rebuilds cartilage and resupplies synovial fluid. Ingredients: Manganese, Potassium, Chloride, Proprietary blend of: Glucosamine Sulfate, Type II collagen, MSM, Idaho Balsam Fir, Wintergreen, Clove.
Manganese (Ascorbate) assists your body with processing the glucosamine. This is a very important ingredient and one that is missing in nearly every glucosamine product on the market today.

Another outstanding product receiving raving results in Regenolone. Regenolone is a pregnenolone cream that includes MSM and essential oils that combat arthritis pain, back pain, and other muscle and skeletal discomfort. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is an exceptional source of nutritional sulfur – a mineral that is vital to protein synthesis and sound health. According to research compiled by Ronald Lawrence, Ph. D., M.D., and Stanley Jacob, M.D., MSM represents a safe, natural solution for chronic headaches, back pain, tendonitis, fibromyalgia, rheumatism, arthritis, athletic injuries, muscle spasms, asthma, and allergies.

Read more at www.piecefulpursuits.com