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What is a Broken Soul? Your soul is broken when who you are on the inside, doesn’t match who you are on the outside.

A broken soul is related to how you feel about yourself, your truest, deepest and most honest beliefs; your philosophy about life; your original ideas and sincerest thoughts, feelings, emotions and sense of what is right and wrong. Your soul is who you are when no one is looking; where no one else can see. Your outside persona includes your physical body, spoken and written words, habits, actions and behaviors.

How can a person break their soul?

Every time you lie to yourself, go against your own sense of fairness, compassion and integrity; fail to follow your dreams and utilize your gifts and talents, hurt someone you love consciously or unconsciously you detach the spiritual bond between your body and your soul. When you believe in one thing and you act and behave in an opposite manner, you become an empty vessel, a shell, a person without substance. Your physical body is alive, but it is hollow and vacant because it lacks integrity and meaning. Many of today’s young celebrities such as Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, Brittany Spears, Nicole Richie and even the late Anna Nicole Smith may have broken souls. These young, wealthy, physically beautiful women have the outside appearance of prosperity, but their actions and behaviors do not exemplify inner peace.

We live in a culture that tells us that when ever something is ailing us; we can fix it with a psychotropic drug, weight loss or cosmetic surgery. The other portion of society tells us that we need to join organized religious communities. None of these suggestions are wrong depending on the individual’s personality and emotional needs; but it is essential and crucial that each person learn to take an honest look within them selves to determine if they are doing everything within their own power to their best of their ability to promote health, wealth, peace, love and happiness in their own lives.

The only way that you can re-attach your soul to your body is by aligning your thoughts, words and actions into one being.

Is a broken soul similar to a broken heart?

A broken heart can cause a broken soul when you continue to repeat the patterns that caused your heart to break. For example, continuing to pick the same type of guy without looking within yourself to analyze why you are attracted to certain types of men. However, a broken soul does not typically lead to broken heart because it is impossible to deeply care about others when you don’t truly know, love or care about yourself.

Examples of Broken Souls

Scenario A Fidelity

1. Beliefs, personal moral code of right & wrong, honest emotions / feelings

You believe in fidelity. You want to be in a relationship with a person whom you can trust.

2. Words, what you tell others orally or in writing.

You make a vow to be faithful. You tell your mate that you are faithful.

3. Actions, behaviors, habits- What you do

You cheat on your mate.

Scenario B Education

1. Beliefs, personal moral code of right & wrong, honest emotions / feelings

You believe that education is important. You have always wanted to practice law.

2. Words, what you tell others orally or in writing.

You tell everyone that you are going back to school to earn your degree.

3. Actions, behaviors, habits- What you do

You watch television and hang out with friends in the evenings. You picked up an application once, but never filled it out.

Scenario C Following your Dreams

1. Beliefs, personal moral code of right & wrong, honest emotions / feelings

You feel happiest when you are singing, dancing or involved in any type of performance. You love music with every cell of your heart, mind and body. People tell you that you are talented and gifted as a singer.

2. Words, what you tell others orally or in writing.

To impress your parents, teachers and naysayers, you tell everyone that you are going to college to be a doctor.

3. Actions, behaviors, habits- What you do

You are enrolled in a pre-med program. You try to ignore the pain in your stomach, your headaches and the deep misery that you feel inside. You rationalize your unhappiness by telling yourself that doctors make good money and your family will be so proud of you.

Scenario D Being true to yourself

1. Beliefs, personal moral code of right & wrong, honest emotions / feelings

You love to write.

2. Words, what you tell others orally or in writing.

You tell every one about the book you are going to write some day.

3. Actions, behaviors, habits- What you do

You never write because you are tired when you get home from work and exhausted from the daily demands of taking care of your family.

Scenario E Being true to yourself

1. Beliefs, personal moral code of right & wrong, honest emotions / feelings

You want to lose weight to improve your health.

2. Words, what you tell others orally or in writing.

You tell every one that you are on a diet.

3. Actions, behaviors, habits- What you do

You don’t exercise. You make unhealthy food choices.

Scenario F Having Faith

1. Beliefs, personal moral code of right & wrong, honest emotions / feelings

In your heart and spirit, you believe in God, a Superior Being or a Higher Power bigger than yourself. You feel that your deepest dreams, desires, wants and needs will manifest in your life.

2. Words, what you tell others orally or in writing.

You tell everyone about your amazing faith, trust and belief in God or a Higher Power. You tell other people to have faith and believe.

3. Actions, behaviors, habits- What you do

You cry yourself to sleep each night because you are worried about your bills being paid and how you are going to provide for your family. You haven’t looked for a new job, or started your own business because people say, “the economy is bad.”

If you do an honest assessment of what is really bothering you and all of the things that you can start doing at this very moment to change your life, you will begin to heal your soul. Guaranteed.

10 Signs of a Broken Soul

1. You have a drinking or substance abuse problem.

2. You have been depressed for more than 6 weeks

3. You feel no enjoyment for life.

4. You are in a sexually, physically or psychologically abusive relationship.

5. You are actively involved in criminal or illegal activity.

6. You have reoccurring suicidal thoughts

7. You have an eating disorder

8. You are abusing someone else physically, psychologically or sexually.

9. You are not doing anything productive with your time.

10. You constantly complain about hating yourself or your life.

Techniques to heal a Broken Soul

1. Validate yourself. Start exactly where you are. Call your self beautiful. Start your business. Do not seek external validation from any one.

2. Go on a journey of self-exploration. What is your favorite color, food, song, movie, day of the week, holiday. Everything that you love is a clue to the mystery of who you are. The things that you love are internal pieces that create the external picture of who you are.

3. Forgive everything and everybody. No exceptions.

4. Practice random acts of kindness. Put a dime in an expired parking meter. Pay for someone’s breakfast, dinner or lunch without revealing yourself. Put toilet paper in a public restroom for the next person. Shovel someone’s snow or rake their leaves without them knowing who did it. Leave a tip on some else’s table. Find unique ways to put a smile on other people’s faces. Their smiles will make you smile.

5. Ask for forgiveness–it doesn’t matter if they accept your apology. This gives them the opportunity to heal when they are ready.

Forgive yourself for past mistakes.

6. Write a letter of forgiveness to yourself. Read the self-forgiveness letter to yourself each night until you are able to let go. You can’t forgive yourself until you are emotionally ready to forgive yourself.

7. Give yourself 6 months to make one change. Don’t try to change too many things about yourself at one time; this is overwhelming. If you try to stop smoking, don’t include losing 50 lbs, and find a cure for cancer. Take it slow and steady.

8. Watch Shawshank Redemption, the Pursuit of Happyness or any other movie that gives you hope.

9. Find one thing that you absolutely love about yourself and think about it once a day, all day long.

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Source by Cassandra George Sturges

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Gynecomastia is a condition frequently referred to as ”male breasts”. There tends to be a drooping of the male chest or a noticed hardening, distended nipple appearance. It can be very difficult to deal with and can occur in both overweight males and average weighted males. There is a cure for gynecomastia and i’ll list 3 options to consider:

1. Lets get to the most extreme right away for a cure for gynecomastia: Surgery. “Gyno” can be surgically removed, with varying results. It is usually an expensive procedure, but costs do vary. Choosing the surgery route, one definitely wants an excellent surgeon who has performed the procedure cure for gynecomastia many times before, and is able to remove most if not all of it. I have heard of reports from individuals seeking a cure for gynecomastia who have gone to one surgeon who would only remove the gland partially, while another surgeon was willing and confident he could remove the whole gland. So shop wisely, and save up for a good doc if you choose this as a cure for gynecomastia.

2. Another cure for gynecomastia, with varying results is a drug called Nolvadex. Usually this is prescription, and the route to get it through a doctor as a cure for gynecomastia can vary, as the medical establishment didn’t popularize the effects of Nolvadex as a cure for gynecomastia, as much as the athletic community has. Many athletes who have dabbled in steroids have become victim of “gyno” as that is one of the side effects of steroids. To counter this side effect from happening, they realized taking Nolvadex works very well. Further investigation from athletes uncovered that even after gyno has occurred they could still take Nolvadex and in some cases it would serve as a cure for gynecomastia eliminating it partially or whole.

3. The third cure for gynecomastia and the one that probably should be followed first before getting into the first two options as a cure for gynecomastia is a combination of losing weight and specific gyno related exercises, routines, and techniques that have seemed to help many individuals who would have ended up opting for surgery or taking drugs. On a very basic level, many gyno cases is a case of chest fat accumulation and once a weight loss program combined preferably with a weight lifting routine is performed, a cure for gynecomastia is achieved. This is witnessed by the many before and after pictures of individuals whose “male breasts” have disappeared. Some may argue that perhaps they didn’t have “true gyno” to begin with but since a cure for gynecomastia is so often associated with a cure for ”male breasts” then it is worth mentioning this option, and even “true gyno gland specific” sufferers have in fact benefited from the above as considering this a cure for gynecomastia. But dwelving deeper there are specific natural routines and techniques and online programs which have helped individuals discover an effective cure for gynecomastia.

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Source by Chess McDoogle

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If you really want to lose weight, burn fat and develop a lean healthy body, then in addition to proper nutrition, you really need to include resistance training as part of your weight loss program. Not only is exercise an important part of any fat burning program, the RIGHT type of exercise is also critical.

For you cardio junkies out there I’ve got some bad news. The treadmill, stair stepper, elliptical machine or that morning jog are NOT the most effective way to exercise if you want to burn fat and lose weight. I’m not saying cardio is bad, it does help and should be part of your exercise routine. But you’re really missing the boat if you exclude resistance training.

What is resistance training?

Well, it’s pretty much what is says. You do exercises using various forms of resistance. That resistance could come in the form of dumbbells, barbells, weight machines, kettle balls, resistance bands, or even water bottles or soup cans. You can even do resistance training using only your own body weight by doing pull ups, squats, lunges, push ups and so forth. You don’t need to join a gym or buy expensive weight training equipment.

What are the benefits of resistance training?

When you do these types of exercises, it increases the amount of lean muscle mass in your body. And increased lean muscle accelerates your metabolism, which in turn accelerates the rate at which your body burns fat. These muscles essentially become fat burning machines! And the great thing is this fat burning continues long after your workout is over!

When you do cardio exercises, your metabolism isn’t increased nearly as much as it is with resistance training, and with cardio your fat burning slows down shortly after you’re done working out.

In addition to the fat burning and weight loss aspect, resistance training will give your body a much leaner and fitter appearance. You will look toned and because muscle is more compact than fat, you will appear smaller, even compared to someone who is the same height and weight who has a higher body fat.

Many women have avoided strength or resistance training because they don’t want to look like a body builder. Not to fear, because anyone who has done strength training and does appear bulky and muscle bound, got that way because they’ve done very intense muscle building exercises or in some cases may have taken performance enhancing drugs. Normal resistance training will make you appear more toned and fit, but it will not make you bulky.

So, how do you go about doing this resistance training?

There are many different schools of thought when it comes to strength/resistance training. I’m going to share with you some general tips that will get you started in the right direction.

First of all, don’t do too much too fast. Ease into it and get your body used to that type of exercise. Especially if you haven’t done it before.

I recommend you do the resistance training part of your overall exercise program 3 days a week. Your muscles need time to recover and you should never work the same muscle group two days in a row.

You should start light in the beginning but once you get going don’t lift too light. You want to challenge your body so gradually work up to a weight that gives you a good workout but isn’t too strenuous. And don’t lift too heavy. That could cause an injury.

When doing the exercise, use steady gradual movements. Don’t do your reps too fast. That is only using the momentum of the weight instead of working your muscles. That’s cheating and will only defeat your efforts.

Vary your routine every few weeks. It keeps you more mentally stimulated and your muscles will also stay stimulated. If you keep the same routine with the same number of repetitions week after week, your muscles will adjust to it and your progress will slow way down. You need to keep those muscles on their toes! You’ll see continued improvement that way.

Of course, if you really want to see that fat and weight melt away, it’s important to combine your fat burning exercise program with some cardio worked in there for variety and a proper nutritional program is essential.

Losing weight and getting fit is not easy. But if you do it the proper way, you will begin to see immediate results, which of course will help motivate you to continue with your program.

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Source by Rick Fenney

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Are You overweight? Believe it or not, when you were born, your parents did not get to choose your size. Your parents didn’t get to choose your sex, hair color or any other physical characteristic that makes you ….you. They didn’t choose your weight either, or your bone structure. They just couldn’t take over that job; it was hard enough bringing you into the world.

Being overweight seems to be a pre-determined fate for so many Americans. An estimated 64% of Americans are considered overweight. That equates to over 125 million people that are overweight and need to loose weight. Or you can call a spade a spade, which equates to over 125 million FAT Americans, which also means that there are a lot of very unattractive Americans.

Supposedly having too much body weight has been the result of you being lazy, unhealthy, unhappy, selfish, greedy, and unattractive. NO, it hasn’t been the result of any of those reasons! Overweight Americans are often some of the most tenacious career-conscious individuals. They are overworked and often fall into weight problems because they are working long hours, without enough rest and exercise! Approximately ½ of the other 36% of thinner adults choose to condemn those Americans who aren’t as fortunate to have a fast metabolism and the luxury of time to exercise. These very adults have the time, because they also find the time to ridicule the other 64% of the population that need to lose a few pounds.

This all may sound a bit harsh, but suck it up! The slogan ‘Thin is in and Fat is Out’ needs to go right back out the door with the aerobics instructor that brought it in. Sure, if you have a weight problem, you know you have a weight problem. It is not something you don’t have the intelligence to see. See Barbie, while you were on the beach with Ken, the fat chics were getting an education! Being overweight is still considered one of the biggest sins someone can do to their own bodies , but what about the people out there with true medical problems that prevent them from being thin.? They still fall into the thin person’s stereotype of a FAT LAZY person? The sad truth is that people who are exceptionally overweight allow others to ridicule them about their weight. The misconceptions that people who are overweight won’t work, are overall lazy people, unhappy, unattractive is a load of bull.

Just take a look around you; Some of the most beautiful women in the world are either overweight now or have been at some time in their life. LOOK AT OPRAH! She is gorgeous, but she wasn’t always the size she is now, but she was still a pretty happy woman, not to mention a huge success. If you look in the “heftier women magazines” you will find more beautiful women than what you find on the runways of New York, it’s a fact.

Whether we want to hear it or not, the fact is that “grown-ups” still act like children to get ahead in life. It really is the “take the camera off of me and point it over there at someone else” approach. Think of your girlfriends. You likely have one in the bunch that is as cute and prissy as can be, but whenever she isn’t getting the attention from the opposite sex, she will inevitably draw attention to your weight. Don’t pay it a second thought and here’s why. Even though you could get into a dirt throwing contest and bring out all of her faults, (for example that she really wears a lot of make-up because she needs it!) there’s no point because it really doesn’t matter. So you might be overweight, big deal, you are a beautiful person inside and out. Can anyone thin top that?

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Source by Terje Ellingsen

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Introduction:

The legendary cell therapy based anti-aging treatments have been offered in Germany since the last 60 years with great success. The integrative approach employed during cell therapy procedures helps reduce biological age by 7-10 years. Life begins at the organizational stage of the single cell and ends in the domain of the multi-cellular organism. The ultimate objective of any medical treatment should be the restoration of all capabilities of the functional unit of life – the cell. Only healthy functional cells can enable the tissues and organs to fulfill their task ensuring development and survival of the organism. As we age more number of cell die or become malfunctioned compared to the number of new cell being formed inside our bodies. This downhill process typically starts after 35 years of age in most people. Unfortunately,pharmaceutical medicine today orientates itself towards “relieve of symptoms” that can be registered or are deducible by means of scientific and technical aids (microscope, electron microscope, biochemical data, electronic recordings). It is thereby neglecting all dimensional areas below and above the so-called objective detection methods, and in doing so, it defines its limits.

Basic Principles of Cell Therapy:

In organ extract- and cellular therapy, cells or extracts of various foetal animal tissues are administered via intramuscular injection into the human body for therapeutic purposes. These xenograft implants are broken down into their basic elements (enzymes, polypeptides, deoxyribonucleic acids, ribonucleic acids and other basic organic substances) and reused by the cells, tissues and organs of the person treated. The fundamental theory behind organ extract – and cell therapy is the principle ‘Similia Similibus’ or ‘Like Cures Like’, as stated by Paracelsus, a physician and philosopher of the 16th century. Paracelsus and many other early physicians believed that the best way to rebuild or revitalize ill organs or ageing tissue was to use healthy living cells of the same tissue type. Modern organ extract- and cell therapy refers to treatment by injection with cellular elements and whole cells from healthy unborn or foetal sheep or calves specially bred for medical purposes under a strictly controlled and pollution-free environment in high alpine mountains. Organ extract- and cell therapy actually “wakes up” dormant cells within the human body, thereby stimulating the growth and function of existing tissue and repairing or regenerating old and malfunctioning cells. Organ extract- and cell therapy offers something that vitamins, minerals and other conventional or natural treatments cannot. It can provide the exact components necessary for injured or diseased tissue to heal and regenerate. While most pharmaceutical drugs work by suppressing certain symptoms over a short period of time and only as long as they are taken, organ extract- and cell therapy are stimulating the body’s own healing and revitalizing powers and exert a long term effect.

The History and the Science of Cell Therapy:

Cell therapy dates back thousands of years. Written in 1600 B.C., the Eber Papyrus of medicine recommended injection of animal organs to improve human vitality. In the middle Ages, Parcelsus observed, for the first time, that the organizational unit of all life; the cell, was the element in ‘like heals like’. In the late 19th century, French Nobel laureate Dr. Alexis Carrel discovered the potentially immortal nature of cells by keeping alive fragments of a chicken heart 25 years after the fowl had died. This accomplishment was performed by combining cellular material from different hearts into one cell culture. At the end of the 19th century, Paris physiologist C.E. Brown-Sequard recognized the potency of cellular therapy by injecting himself with an extract made from the testicles of a young bull. His virility was subjectively increased due to the testosterone in the extract. In the 1920’s, Russian ophthalmologist Vladimir Filatov initiated the application of foetal cellular and aloe plant extract therapies for non-specific rejuvenation of chronically ill patients. His earliest claimed successes were in reversing retinitis pigmentosa and involutional retinal macular degeneration. In the 1930’s, surgeon Niehans became increasingly interested in endocrinology while serving as head of staff at one of the renowned hospitals in Germany/Switzerland. One of Niehans’ first discoveries was that cells derived from the organs of foetal sheep could be injected into the human body without triggering the natural defence mechanism that acts to reject foreign protein.

In 1931, Paul Niehans was summoned to an emergency operation where he was requested to perform a transplant for an elderly woman whose parathyroid glands were removed during a thyroid surgery by accident. The patient was in critical condition and in a race against time, Niehans sought instead to inject the woman with a steer’s parathyroid cells suspended in a saline solution, crudely prepared at the scene. The woman who would have otherwise died immediately, in fact, got quickly stabilized and continued to improve as she went on to live another 30 years! In the forty years following his first successful experiments, Niehans applied his discoveries in organ extract- and cellular therapy over 50,000 times. Among Niehans’ patients were celebrities like Charles Chaplin, Robert Cummings, Joan Crawford, Charles de Gaulle, Dwight and Marnie Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, Charles Boyer, Bernard Baruch, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Joseph Kennedy, and many others. In 1953, Niehans was called to the bedside of ailing Pope Pius XII. In gratitude for successful results of his own cell therapy, Pope Pius XII invited Niehans to become a member of the Papal Academy of Sciences. Niehans also conducted research into the cancer resisting properties of foetal mesenchyme cells within a well-regulated connective tissue matrix. He used cells from the frontal brain to treat mongolism. He used skin and eye cellular extracts to treat albinism, injected liver cells to treat cirrhosis, and utilized testicle cells to treat impotence. Over one thousand scientific studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of cell therapy. By radioactively marking tissue extract, researchers have been able to ascertain what exactly happens with the organ extract and cellular material after it is injected.

Cell Therapy Preparations:

Cell therapy preparations are derived from foetal sheep or calf according to a proprietary manufacturing and cryopreservation process in North Germany. These preparations must always be injected in freshly prepared form for getting maximum therapeutic effect. More than 30 preparations from different tissue types are available. All preparations are manufactured by a GMP certified laboratory and subject to a multitude of stringent microbiology and biological viability tests to ensure the highest degree of efficacy and safety. Each preparation contains > 10 million tissue-specific cells derived from live tissue.

Cell Therapy for Anti-aging (Revitalization):

Every patient first undergoes the blood, urine and other functional diagnostic tests which specifically measure “pro-aging” parameters + “anti-oxidant status” + “hormone levels”. This gives the treating physician good information on the current functional status of different body organs and helps design an individualized (personalized) anti-aging program. The Revitalization Program involves rejuvenation of 3 main systems of the body that govern aging. They are the endocrine system, the immune system and the detoxification system. Just injecting the cell therapy preparations may not give excellent results. That is why, before cell therapy procedure, each patient undergoes extensive IV/IM detox procedures, Intravenous ozone sessions, Laser revitalization of blood, IV high dose vitamin/minerals/trace elements therapies for several days so as to make body organs maximally receptive to the incoming new cells. Rejuvenation of above-mentioned 3 body systems has shown a so called reversal or a dramatic slowdown of premature aging, regaining of vigour & vitality, libido, increased interest in daily activities, higher mental concentration and focus as well healthy skin and decreased wrinkles. The following organ cells are used:- Thymus, brain, spleen, liver, kidney, heart, adrenal gland, pituitary gland, skin, ovary or testis.

Other Clinical Indications:

Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, immune deficiency, infertility,diabetes, frozen shoulder, shoulder stiffness, migraine, joint pain, depression, melasma, aging skin, acne, hay fever, pre-menstrual syndrome, uterine fibrosis, endometriosis, insomnia, liver dysfunction, fungal infection, digestive problems, nerve related discomfort, extreme coldness, anaemia, low libido, constipation, gastritis, intestinal intoxication and hormonal imbalances.

Safety and Effectiveness:

Since the cell therapy preparations have very low antigenicity; they are not readily recognized as foreign by the recipient’s immune system, and therefore, they usually do not cause significant clinical side effects. Donor animals and all preparations are thoroughly tested to rule out transmission of zoonoses and infections; there are no known cases with the use of these preparations. Acute allergic reactions with fresh frozen or freeze-dried organ extracts and cell preparations are exceedingly rare. If such reactions should occur, they are easily manageable with antihistamines, steroids, and intravenous volume fluid expansion. The organ extract and cell preparations of foetal xenogeneic cells imprint their vigour upon old, tired, and degenerating cells, stimulating them to function with renewed efficiency, thereby improving organ function and vigour and vitality of the entire organism– Total body revitalization.

Long-lasting Benefits:

Every procedure and therapeutic intervention carried out during anti-aging program is for regeneration of body’s individual cells and organs (i.e. regeneration from INSIDE), because the aging process first starts at the cellular/organ level, and then, over the years slowly shows up externally as wrinkles on face, or development of some chronic disease, or general loss of vitality or weight gain or forgetfulness, or loss of hairs, or loss of libido or decrease in eyesight, or poor sleep quality, etc. Undergoing cell therapy based anti-aging program once a year after 40 years of age not only helps “Look and Feel” significantly younger but also offers an excellent prevention against the diseases of old age viz. Diabetes, Heart disease, High blood pressure, Impotence, Cancer, etc.

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Source by Dr. Shams Scheik

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If you are a bodybuilder or a fitness enthusiast that strength trains, you will have some concerns when it comes to making the decision to have a knee replacement. After all, there will be some physical restrictions placed upon you such as no high impact sports or running as these will only shorten the lifespan of the prosthesis.

When it come to bodybuilding, there really isn’t too many contradictions in regards to exercises that you can’t complete. Therefore, you should be able to continue your bodybuilding without jeopardizing your surgical knee if you use some restraint in the amount of weight you intend to lift.

I have used the following exercise for my legs to keep them strong and from also allowing muscle atrophy to develop which is something anyone involved in bodybuilding knows all to well about.

Leg Press: I use the leg press more often than the squat because the weight is balanced more appropriately and, I can concentrate on the quadriceps more effectively.

The intention when it comes to lifting weights with he affected leg is to stimulate the muscles involved not necessarily how much weight someone can lift.

The leg press allows you to keep control of your body so that you can concentrate entirely on the surgical leg. I like to use the leg press as it allows me to build more muscular endurance in the leg without sacrificing form and setting me up for injury.

The Squat: Yes, I have found you can still use the squat effectively however, common sense has to be used. The days before surgery where you may have placed 400-550 pound on a barbell is not recommended. You can still squat safely to parallel or even a little deeper however, the weight used should be something you can use safely for 12-15 repetitions. The amount a weight someone uses of course will differ but keeping the weight no heavier than 225 pounds can be acceptable.

Placing too much weight on a consistent basis with the squat can cause a breakdown around the prosthesis and lead to a loosening of the components. The weakest link with a knee replacement will be the cement used by the surgeon to hold the knee components in place. With excessive weight over long periods of time can cause loosening.

Hamstring exercises: Basically all the hamstring exercises are allowable and I find none of them have caused any harm with my knee replacement in over 14 years now. The same goes for the calf muscle routines as well. The important thing to remember is that keeping your weight selection modest is the key.

There really to my knowledge have not been any studies done about how much weight an individual can use when strength training on a knee replacement and, if you ask your surgeon unless they are active bodybuilders themselves, will not have any advice for you either other than don’t lift!

So do not fear that your weight lifting or bodybuilding days are over with just because you have had a knee replaced. Just be a little more creative in your weight selection and, find other ways to fatigue those quadriceps and hamstrings such as using shorter rest periods or compound sets in the future.

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Source by Richard A Haynes

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If you have recently had or are about to have surgery or if you have been injured in an accident you can improve your chances of a quicker recovery. Although surgery is sometimes necessary to help improve your health, or save your life, recovering from it can be very stressful on many levels. There are always factors to consider. Be certain to communicate with your medical team. Ask your doctor if there are any restrictions regarding movement, diet, climate, medications, requirements for at home medical assistance, or complementary therapies. They can help you lay out a recovery plan or wellness program. Beyond the typical recovery routine that may include medications, physical therapy, or visits with a counselor or nurse, your body will need to get all of the supportive nutrients that are required for complete and speedy recovery. The following list will give you some idea of all that can be added to your health recovery regime—with the approval of your physician.

1. Rest and immobilization as required by your doctor.Be sure that your room has adequate fresh air as ionization helps recovery time; having an oxygen rich environment and sunshine are important – again unless restricted by your medical team.

2. Bathing or showering as allowed – at least warm sponge baths to remove toxins being eliminated by your skin.

3. Fill the room with fresh flowers and plants to uplift your mood.

4. Watch TV programs and movies that make you feel good – and if you are allowed to laugh definitely watch movies that keep you laughing and giggling often. Improving your mood is definitely important to healing. In fact, there are now hospital humor programs where personnel are trained to help make you laugh. Laughter is very healing!

5. Allow only those visitors with a positive mental outlook; people that make you feel happy when you see them.

6. Keep your bowels moving. Some medications have side effects that include sluggish bowel movements or constipation. Drink purified water at room temperature unless you are really warm and cool water feels better to you. However, digestion is always best without too hot or too cold water in the digestive tract. Stay away from coffee because caffeine may be dehydrating. Consider the proper diet to help yourself heal well

7. Your diet (again check with your personal physician to be certain these suggestions are appropriate for you) should be filled with foods that are nutrient rich. And every bite and everything you drink should be as valuable as possible. That means that you should eat foods that are whole, grown without herbicides, pesticides, unchanged by man. Avoid processed foods and drinks. Get close to nature. Sometimes baby foods are required if you cannot swallow easily or have compromised digestion or loss of appetite. If not, just follow some of the suggestions below:

Clear broths either chicken, beef or veal are good for healing. Soups that start with a clear brother and contain fresh vegetables as well are important. When you are ill or injured your body will not readily produce the enzymes it needs to complete digestion. We will talk about digestion enzymes a little later.

Having sufficient protein is critical to healing. As protein is assimilated it is broken down into amino acids, often called the building blocks. So, if you are unable to eat foods such as fish, chicken, turkey, veal, portk, eggs, cheese, tofu, beans, nuts and seeds, you may need to purchase protein powders and mix them with soy milk, almond milk, regular milk, or just room temp water. Ionized whey powders are probably the easiest to assimilate in small quantities, but again chew the shake (I know that sounds weird) because it would be similar to eating a steak without chewing it–very concentrated and not easily absorbed even in powdered form if you are ill. Sip on the shakes that you drink–some people enjoy adding fruit like berries or bananas.

Eat more fruits and vegetables for starters. Avoid sugars, too much salt. Avoid snacks and lifeless foods that rob your body of energy. Avoid sodas, alcohol, white flour breads, cereals, pancakes and pastas. Avoid candy and cakes unless just occasional.

Buy organically grown and made foods if possible. Instead of drinking fruit juices eat the whole food. However, if you can get organically grown fruits and vegetables you can make delicious juices (save the pulp for soup) by combining dark green veggies with carrots and beets and pear juice or pineapple or cherry or apple to make it more palatable. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with life supporting nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. If you have a juicer that’s terrific, if you don’t you can just use a food processor or a blender to pulverize pulp and some seeds. Be sure that you chew the juice, do not just swallow it. Your digestive system will work best if you don’t just swallow foods even when “juiced.” Chew to begin the signal to the brain that you will need enzymes for complete digestion.

Beets and beet tops, dandelion greens, parsley, argula, mustard greens, carrots and tops, and fresh lemon juice are wonderful to support liver function. Supporting your liver is extremely important as it will help you to purify your blood. The liver will help to remove toxic residue from anaesthesia and other medications. It helps to flush away waste products of all kinds so it is very important to give the liver all that needs to do its job well.

8. Vitamins/Minerals/other nutrients: Giving your body a multi-vitamin/mineral formula is integral to healing. Concentrate as well on anti-oxidants such as Vitamins A,C,E, + Zinc. Add to that a formula that includes other protective elements such as grapeseed extract, green tea (not if you have high blood pressure because it is stimulating) berries,…many anti-oxidants available today in combination formulas. A separate bone building formula that includes, Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Boron, is important. (ask the doctor again because certain medications may be conflicting here) important to rebuilding bone.

9. Exercise and rehabilitation routinely help to strengthen muscle, ligaments, tendons and bones. Circulation is integral to wellness. Do what you are allowed to do. Check into “rubber stretch bands” to help initiate mobility if allowed –really good and gentle on joints for starters. Rebounders are also good for circulation as you become more mobile. These are mini trampolines and you can gently bounce while watching TV or listening to music–very enjoyable experience and good for you. Let your physical therapist, nurse or aid instruct you here.

10. Homeopathic remedies can also be beneficial to stimulate your body’s immune system and healing response time. Please seek the advice of an MD who practices homeopathic medicine. Go to www.vithoulkas.com to find highly trained classical homeopaths in your area.

11. Stress relief measures such as Yoga, Bio-Feedback, Meditation: Learning how to quiet and clear the mind of stressful thoughts, worries, and fears can add much to your healing program. When your body stops getting disturbing signals from your brain it can more readily attend to physical healing. Do whatever seems to soothe you most. If allowed soaking in a warm tub might help reduce aching muscles and calm the nerves. Aromatherapy is also good for soothing your senses. Try lavender under your pillow, or vanilla candles to bring tranquility. Music is also wonderful for the nervous system. Choose calming classical music, new age flutes and bells, easy listening tunes to help stay relaxed.

12. Massage therapy and acupuncture or acupressure can complement your healing program. Bringing greater circulation to an injured or ill body can speed healing. Ask your physician if this is allowed. Sometimes having circulation cuffs on your legs are recommended by doctors after surgery or injury. This might be a good way to speed healing with limited exertion.

13. Digestive Enzymes help you assimilate and absorb nutrients that are important to healing. A product such as AbsorbAid that has been clinically tested and scientifically proven to increase the absorption of vital nutrients by up to 71% can really help speed recovery time. AbsorbAid is a 100% plant based enzyme formula that works well for most all individuals–if you can eat fruits and vegetables you can take AbsorbAid Platinum. It is so safe the original AbsorbAid has been used in feeding tubes in nursing home trials with excellent results at increasing protein utilization. Amino acids are the building blocks so adding AbsorbAid digestive enzymes can really be beneficial.

14. Visualization: Visualize yourself totally well, doing whatever it is that you most enjoy in your mind first —I used to tell my patients to See, Feel and make it Real! The joy you get from imagining yourself completely well and up doing what you most enjoy can uplift your spirits and speed healing. Guided imagery tapes are readily available today.

15. Prayer and Faith: have a profound effect on healing for many people. When you believe that you will be well it can elevate your body’s responses. There are many documented cases of people healing when they are certain they will! So prepare yourself for recovery and get excited about it!

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

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Source by Janet Angel

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A breast lift can be cheaper than getting a full breast enlargement surgery. There are reasons for this, one of them is that there is no need to put an implant in place, which can make up a large percentage of the cost. Women often find the breast lift a better way to improve their bust rather than just making them bigger. The reason the breast sags is because of lack of elasticity, which happens over time, after breast feeding, pregnancy, or a dramatic weight loss. Some women don’t want to make their bust bigger, they would just like them to be more like they were before they had kids, or when they were younger.

A breast lift can be up to two thousand dollars cheaper than having breast enlargement surgery. Although the cost is cheaper, there are other fees that have to be considered as well. You also have to think about the costs of anesthesia, hospital stay, surgery garments, and the postoperative visits. There are also consultation fees to consider, where you are going to have the surgery done, and which doctor you are going to be using.

Not all doctors can perform breast lifts. They have to be board certified, and have experience in this area of plastic surgery. Your insurance company may not cover these procedures, and they may not cover any complications that may arise after. A few exceptions to this is if you need this to relieve back problems, or as a reconstruction after cancer treatments. It is a good idea to consult with your insurance provider first to find out what your policy covers.

If you are considering a breast lift instead of enlargement, there are some things you need to look for in a plastic surgeon. The need to have five years of surgical training with two or more years of plastic surgery in the area of breast lifts on top of this. They should be operating in a real medical facility such as a hospital.

They also need to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, or similar board in other countries. They should also have a strict code of ethics, and be constantly upgrading their knowledge in the latest procedures, and safety standards. There is another thing that is also just as important as all of these, as well. You need to be completely comfortable with the doctor you are using. If you feel at all uneasy while speaking to him, you are better off finding someone else.

You primary care physician can help you find the right doctor, as well as outline exactly what to expect, not only from your consultation but also from the surgery itself. Any plastic surgeon you speak to should be able to provide you with a list of past patients that you can contact to find out if they were satisfied with their work. This is really the only way you are going to be sure because after the surgery, it is too late. You should also look to see if they are a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or trusted with any other accreditation, and this logo or statement should be in plain sight.

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Source by Andrew K Long

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Treating and healing obesity and weight problems with ordinary amino acids is the basis for Orthomolecular Medicine. Large doses of naturally found proteins called amino acids can repair the imbalance in the brain and repair its malfunction. These amino acids are affordable and are used in therapeutic doses much larger than those levels normally found in food. The concept of orthomolecular medicine is based upon the use of very large doses of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or botanical extracts for the cellular repair and enhancement of normal brain activities. Amino acids are also key to supporting increase muscle mass needed to keep the metabolism higher as weight loss occurs. Weight loss without increasing muscle mass and exercising will result in decreased metabolic rates and the body will adapt to low daily calorie requirements as weight loss is achieved without intervention.

Many times there is a problem wit the body preventing it from losing weight easily. These problems include thyroid disease, hormone imbalances, diabetes, impaired cardiac function, neurotransmitter imbalances, chronic viral infections that result in low energy and fatigue, chromosome problems in developmentally challenged people, fatty liver disease, impaired spleen function, and digestive tracts which are significantly longer than normal, problems digesting fat. A fatty liver is a very big problem in weight loss. This may be partially due to a high fat diet and high levels of heavy metal or pesticide toxins. Detoxification of toxins is a great idea along with herbs to support good liver function. Heavy metals or pesticides toxins need to be removed with far infrared sauna or hot yoga and oral chelators like cilantro, organic wheat grass, or chorella. Milk thistle is a very good herb for liver support. Fat cells store toxins and a fatty liver has additional stores of toxins which impair cellular metabolism and the normal release of fat for energy. Additional herbs that are very good for improved liver function are Gynostemma Pentaphyllum and Hawthorn Berries. These can be taken in capsule form or as a tea. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and CLA are very good to reduce liver fat that is not due to alcoholism.

Amino acid therapy is very good for weight loss and there are it works. These weight loss effects include decreasing appetite, altering glucose regulation, tweaking the metabolism of energy by the cell, and speeding the release of fat during energy production. 5-HTP, carnitine, orthinine, phenylalanine, theanine, and arginine are amino acids which are effective in weight loss. These amino acids should be used in therapeutic doses for several months. You should be able to discern within seven to twelve days if the therapy is successful.

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Source by R Stone

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Gallbladder disease is one of the leading causes of problems with digestion that result in hospital admissions. Did you know that around 10% of the population (on average) in most Western countries has gallstones? Most of these are “silent” but about 4% of patients with stones develop symptoms each year. For about half of them, the symptoms reoccur within 12 months. More men than women suffer from acute gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), whereas more women than men experience gallstones (men have more kidney stones), and married women with children have more gallstones than unmarried women. The term “gallbladder disease” is in one sense a misnomer, for it is the liver, bile ducts and gallbladder that form the system that enables your body to digest fats and all are likely to participate in gallbladder problems.

I have always said that doctors generally see health problems as conditions with symptoms requiring drugs, whereas surgeons see health problems as conditions requiring the knife, and when a patient is admitted with abdominal discomfort surgeons are often keen to remove the gall bladder as it is believed that it ‘serves very little purpose’ and that the patient can “live comfortably without it”. This is a ridiculous and very untrue notion however, and I want you to think twice about having your gallbladder removed, because over half of people I have seen who had their gallbladder removed still had the same digestive problem they started with in the first place unresolved, yet now without their gallbladder. Once it is out that is it, it does serve a purpose like every organ you were born with and having your gallbladder removed will affect your health to some degree. For some patients, the removal of their gallbladder had a major consequence on their health down the track. For others, it was a minor consequence.

A surgeon I once spoke to many years ago mentioned that the gallbladder operation was one frequently performed in larger hospitals by the younger surgeon to “bring them up to speed” in the operating room. He said that it was a relatively easy operation lasting from thirty to forty minutes enabling them to gain surgical experience before they move onto “bigger and better things” as far as abdominal surgery is concerned. I can’t help wondering if all the gallbladder operations performed are really that necessary, because they are so quick to take it out these days. The apprentice mechanic will first be introduced to the engine by learning to replace the spark plugs before he is allowed to work deeper into the engine. If the plugs were removed, carefully cleaned and then replaced they generally last a long time. But then again, today more than half the stuff we buy is made in China and it is “chucked” as soon as it is even slightly defective!

What is the gallbladder’s function?

Your gall bladder’s main function is to collect and concentrate bile produced by the liver that the body uses to digest fats. Think of bile a bit like you would dishwashing liquid. Have you ever tried to wash dishes with fat or grease on them in water without dishwashing liquid? Not really effective is it? Not at least until you squirt a little dishwashing liquid into the warm water then they are clean in no time. Your gallbladder makes plenty of its own type of “degreasing liquid” called bile. Bile becomes up to twelve times more concentrated in the gallbladder (and hence much more effective) than it was in your liver. Think about this, with your gallbladder gone, your liver now has to produce, store and secrete bile. It can do this but not as effectively as it can without that little purse called the gallbladder hanging by its side.

The liver makes between 600 – 900 mls of bile each day, and what is not sent during meals to the duodenum (beginning of your small bowel) directly via the liver’s main duct to emulsify fat, it is diverted through a smaller duct (branching off the main liver duct) to the gallbladder for storage until required. When fat in a meal reaches the duodenum (where most of the food you eat is digested and absorbed), hormones enter the circulation and along with nerve signals, stimulate the gallbladder to contract. This contraction, assisted by the small intestine’s contractions, induces the gallbladder’s small round muscle and the stored bile is propelled into the duodenum where it mixes with food from your stomach and pancreatic juices from the pancreas by way of the pancreatic duct. If you eat a fairly fatty meal (fish and chips for example) your gallbladder can empty completely within one hour. It is this combination of bile and fats that can make one feel “queasy” at times after a fatty meal.

Bile itself is made up of water, salts, fatty acids, lecithin, cholesterol, bilirubin, and mucus and has two main functions. The first function is to help in the absorption and digestion of fats, and the second to eliminate certain waste products from the body, especially excess cholesterol and the haemoglobin from worn out red blood cells, which have an average lifespan of 3 months.

In particular, the bile

(1) increases the solubility of fat-soluble vitamins, fats and cholesterol to assist in their absorption,

(2) stimulates secretion of water by the colon to help move its contents along,

(3) is a medium for excretion of bilirubin (the chief bile pigment) as a waste product of destroyed red blood cells, other waste products, medical drugs and their degradation products, and other toxins.

Bile salts are in fact re-absorbed into the small intestine, and re-secreted into the bile after extraction by the liver. All bile salts in the body re-circulate some 10 to 12 times a day by means of this so- called enterohepatic circulation. In each circulation small amounts of bile salts enter the colon where bacteria break them down for excretion with the feces.

Who is the greatest at risk of gallstones?

o Female gender: women outnumber men at least 2:1.

o Family history

o Forty or more years of age

o 3 children or more

o Diet: low calorie, low cholesterol, low fat. (especially a diet like this after a diet high in fat)

o Diet: previously high in refined carbs, alcohol, chocolate, chips, etc.

o Smoking

o High cholesterol history

o Constipation history

o Rapid weight loss

o Obesity

o Food allergy history

o Dehydration due to not enough water

o Liver problems like cirrhosis or past hepatitis infection

o Sensitive to penicillin antibiotics

Signs and symptoms of gallbladder problems

I have seen many women in the clinic who have for years on and off never felt quite well in terms of their digestion. Many have experienced a low grade ill feeling, a digestive discomfort which was put down to indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea or even a “grumbling appendix”. They go on for years and years with digestive symptoms and never realise that they may be related to a gallbladder problem. That’s because they are so inter-related with other digestive symptoms and too easy for their doctor to say: “You are fine; there is nothing to worry about”. Constipation is one of the most commonly missed complaints, and so is farting. Don’t be embarrassed here, we all fart, some men (and plenty of smallish children) enjoy boasting about it but women do it too and are generally totally embarrassed. Flatus is most common in bed when you first lie down, during the night or when you get up. This is because your bowel changes its position and gas more easily escapes through the anus with the large intestine in a horizontal rather than in a vertical position. Don’t laugh, but do you sometimes feel fat, frumpy and farty and at times “sicky” after eating a fatty meal like fish and chips or chocolate? Does your partner joke about how much you “let off”? Then you may very well have a gallbladder issue.

The Four F’s

Have you heard about the four f’s? We learn when we study medicine that women who are “fat, fertile, forty and flatulent” are often the gallbladder girls. They are much more prone to having gallstones or a sluggish liver and gallbladder. The following list provided here may be related to gallbladder but please bear in mind that it could also be something else. The first four symptoms mentioned are the most indicative of gallbladder issues. It is not necessary to have all or many symptoms to have gallbladder problems but the more you have from this list, the more confirmation you have that your gallbladder is involved. Please note that it is still advisable to consult your GP for an accurate diagnosis.

Signs and symptoms of impending gallbladder problems (If you answered yes to the first four (with an asterisk) go to your health-care professional for a more accurate diagnosis.)

• Pain or tenderness under the rib cage on the right side, could be central too*
• Pain between shoulder blades, central but could be under the shoulder blades*
• Stools light or chalky colored*
• Indigestion after eating, especially fatty or greasy foods*
• History of gallstones or gallbladder removal in your family
• Weight gain after recent digestive troubles or after gallbladder removal
• Frequent use of antacids
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Bloating
• Farting
• Burping or belching up gas easily after meals
• Feeling of fullness or food not digesting
• Diarrhea (or alternating from soft to firm)
• Constipation (or simply skipping a day here or there)
• Headache over eyes, especially right
• Bitter fluid comes up after eating, could be a slight reflux and very subtle
• Frequent use of laxatives

Being big is actually in itself a big risk factor in gallbladder problems, and women with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or greater are more than double at risk than women who have a BMI of 25 or less. Although a decrease in weight reduces the risk of gallstone formation, there is a 15 to 25 percent increase in gallstone formation during or immediately following weight loss! I have seen this with several patients over the years; they have lost weight and are proud of if only to experience digestive problems and then a bad bout of pain within twelve to eighteen months after the weight loss. A major heart study in America discovered that women with Type 2 Diabetes were almost twice as likely (41.8 percent versus 23.1 percent) that non diabetics to have gallstones, and the risk was highest amongst the 30 to 59yr old group.

I always ask a person these standard questions when they come in with a (suspected) gallbladder dysfunction – “Did you loose weight recently, say in the past two years?” “Have you been on a fat free diet lately?” “What kind of foods/drinks do you like to habitually have?” By asking the right questions, you would be surprised how many will actually tell you what is wrong with them, and their answers can point right to the heart of the problem. In my observation, the main factors leading to gallbladder attacks and dysfunction are obesity (and rapid weight loss (for example1 pound a week); “fat-free” diets are especially bad.

Poor dietary habits – especially too many fatty and fried foods, alcohol, too much dairy food like cheeses and full cream milk, refined sugars and starches, high protein foods (in excess), food allergies, parasites, long-term use of birth control pills, and a sedentary (couch potato) lifestyle. The Atkins diet craze caused a lot of gallbladder problems, for example. Once these factors are operating, bile produced in the liver and flowing through the biliary ducts into the gallbladder becomes too thick, the bile ducts may then become obstructed, gravel and stones may form (90% of all gallstones are cholesterol), and the whole biliary system may become clogged. Other causative factors include insufficient water consumption, a weak immune system (increases likelihood of infection in the gallbladder), as well as diabetes and various liver diseases.

Prevention of gallbladder problems lies in controlling obesity, diet and adequate intake of consuming water, and the use of appropriate physical exercise. Louise Hay, an interesting lady who wrote the famous book “Heal Your Life” way back in 1976 with regard to how emotions can trigger physical problems, mentions that anger, aggressiveness, and bitterness can result in gallbladder problems. Keeping the immune system strong and the liver and small intestine healthy is very important too. Let’s look now at some non-medical alternatives once gallbladder problems are evident, and also how to prevent this problem in the first instance.

Food allergies

Often finding and eliminating food allergies can stop frequent attacks of gallbladder pain and prevent unnecessary surgical removal. In one study, avoidance of allergens relieved symptoms in 100% of 69 patients with symptomatic gallstones or post-cholecystectomy (after the operation) syndrome (uncontrolled trial commented on by Dr. Alan Gaby, USA). I’m not convinced just testing for antibodies in terms of food allergies is the way to go, try also: muscle testing, you may know somebody who does do electro-dermal testing. Either way, try going on an elimination or allergy diet, it may be the answer to your problems.

For recurring gallbladder pain – suspect food allergies in just about 100% of patients. On average I find that they are reactive to 4 or 5 foods, and according to Dr. Jonathon Wright, one of America’s most experienced natural medicine doctors, egg is generally always one of the prime food allergens involved. There are over 800,000 cholecystectomies (gallbladder operations) performed in USA per annum, they cost $5,000 US to perform. If you do the math here, effective preventative natural medicine treatment could spare 4 billion US dollars with gallbladder conditions alone. I can imagine how many of the operations are performed needlessly in NZ each year, and it is truely amazing how many people I have seen who have their gallbladder out only to find that it did not fix up the problem they originally went to the doctor for in the first place.

Other medical methods of handling gallstones in the gallbladder include attempts to fragment them with sonic shock waves (lithotripsy). Of course there are other times when surgery may become necessary, such as in perforation of the gallbladder (often from gangrene) or where for example non-benign tumours and cancers are present. All this is what I call “crisis medicine,” so common in the orthodox medical procedures used in the hospital system. Does it not make sense to prevent a gallbladder condition in the first place rather than waiting for disaster to strike and then to take action?

How is your back?

See your Chiropractor; you may have mid-thoracic vertebral subluxations. If you have back issues, your fourth thoracic vertebrae may a bit “dodgey”, you could be looking at a subluxations which means a slight dislocation (misalignment) or biomechanical malfunctioning of the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). These disturbances may irritate nerve roots and the blood vessels which branch off from the spinal cord between each of the vertebrae, and if this is what is happening around the middle of your back it could be affecting your gallbladder.

Gallbladder removed? – take bile salts

I always recommend that a patient who has had their gallbladder removed take bile salts (digestive enzymes) because fats & oils are not properly digested and absorbed by these folk. I always give bile salts when I give them fish-oil, or Vitamin A. Digestive enzymes are essential for those who have had their gallbladder removed, they will feel a lot better for taking them regularly. Their digestion will improve, their bowels will work better and they will feel less full and bloated. For patients who do not improve their diet following surgical removal of the gallbladder the removal leaves the person with an increased risk of colon cancer. Although fast relief of some symptoms can follow this surgery, the relief is often short-lived and the basic causes are still present. If you have lost your gallbladder, the regular use of bile salts at the start of meals can help substantially, including better processing of the fat-soluble essential nutrients such as essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Probably the best way to tell if you are using enough bile salts is to monitor the colour of the stool. If the colour is lighter than the normal brown colour, or is even a light beige or yellow, this implies insufficient bile flow; with it’s under absorption of essential nutrients, and a need for more bile salts. Such a need for more bile salts will be greater after a meal with greater amounts of fats and oils. Talk to your Naturopath more here, he or she can recommend a product which should work well. I generally find that the digestive enzymes prescribed by your Naturopath to be stronger and much more effective than the retail (health-food shop) products. That is why they are classified as “practitioner-only” products. My website (see resource box) explains more about “practitioner-only” products.

Useful herbal supplements with liver & gallbladder complaints: Swedish bitters, milk thistle, chamomile, peppermint, greater celandine, gymnema, gravel root, dandelion leaf & root, chicory, rhubarb, burdock, cramp bark, ginger root, fennel, and turmeric.

Homeopathic medicine: one of the most specific homeopathic medicines is Chelidonium 30C, and I recommend this remedy for patients who complain of right-sided pains radiating through the back, pains radiating to the right shoulder blade region. It is mainly thought of as a liver remedy, but I find it fantastic for gallbladder disorders as well.

Diet

Eliminate refined sugar and other refined carbohydrates, because it is these foods which in particular increases the cholesterol saturation of bile. Gallbladder problems don’t generally happen in under developed countries, they are a phenomenon of the Western developed world. We call these sorts of health problems the “diseases of modern civilisation”. You will find that our Western diet is the highly refined one, most people eat foods from the supermarket and our diets are the ones high in the refined sugars, starches and flours. Foods and drinks to strictly avoid One of the worst beverages to drink with gallbladder issues is coffee whether decaffeinated or not, it aggravates symptoms by causing the gallbladder to contract along with sugar. So, sugar and coffee is not a good idea! I also tell patients to avoid chocolate, deep fried foods and saturated animal fats in general. Most tell me that they cannot tolerate these foods anyway, so listen to your body and avoid what makes you feel unwell or sick.

Gallbladder foods which have a particular favourable effect include beetroot, Brussels sprouts, fennel, sauerkraut, parsley, artichokes, pears, granny smith apples and the bitter foods such as rocket, endive, chicory, and capers.

Consume a little olive oil daily One way to prevent build-up of gallstones is to eat some oil, particularly extra virgin olive oil, daily; this encourages the gallbladder to contract and to daily “sand dump” its contents into the small intestine, preventing sludge from accumulating and forming gallstones.

Treatments

Warm castor oil packs. All you need is 200ml castor oil (try the chemist or supermarket), and old saucepan, an old cloth, and an old towel. Just warm the old cloth in the pot of oil until it is quite warm, squeeze it out and apply it over the region of the gallbladder – central a little to the right just near where your ribcage finishes. Cover with the old towel, place a hot water bottle on top for added warmth and lie down for fifteen to twenty minutes, then rub the area for 2 minutes with an ice cube in a cloth-repeat 3 times once daily for a week can sometimes dislodge gallstones, and is especially a powerful treatment if used in conjunction with the flush and dietary approach. Careful with castor oil, it can stain.

Liver and gallbladder flush

there are many different gallbladder and liver flushes that will work if you have had recurrent gallbladder problems and your diet has been typically Kiwi. You really need to work in with your health-care professional like your naturopath here. I have guided many patients through this procedure the past twenty years and have never experienced a problem, and to be honest have very rarely found somebody with a “gallstone too big to pass” as some may fear.

For a gallbladder “attack” try these recipes Here are a couple of tips to try with acute pain, if the pain doesn’t subside, seek medical opinion.

o Drink 1 tbsp of apple cider in a glass of apple juice (warmed). This should relieve the pain quickly.

o In a small glass add ¼ tsp turmeric, ¼ tsp cumin, and ½ tsp Manuka honey – top with boiling water, stir to dissolve and mix together, drink when warm. Take: 3 times a day.

o Citrus tea: have 3 glasses daily of tea made by boiling for 20 minutes in water the rind of a grapefruit.

Recommendations stopping future gallbladder attacks

1. Each morning, drink a “gallbladder attack flush”; 300mls Apple juice (or dilute with water), 3 cloves of raw finely chopped garlic, 1-2 inches of raw finely chopped ginger root, mix well in blender. This drink helps soften sludge and helps prepare your gallbladder to dump rubbish.

2. Liver & gallbladder flush. One simple flush is to drink 3 Tbs of extra-virgin olive oil with the juice of a lemon before retiring and on awakening for at least 3 days, or until no more stones pass. I have other flushes but tend to use them in a consultation with the patient only. This is one procedure in my opinion you are best not to do yourself at home without any guidance, but get the advice from a qualified Naturopath, preferably one with experience in this area.

3. Eat a well balanced diet of 50% raw or partially steamed foods and fresh juices, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts/seeds. This low saturated fat, high fiber diet is a must for healing gallbladder disorders. Flaxseed and olive oil are great additions to your diet for repair and prevention of gallstones. Bitter foods (see below) are a great addition, and will help prevent a build up in future. The two top foods to consume? – Lemon juice and olive oil.

4. Increased your intake of Vitamin C can help with gallbladder ailments. Replenish your vitamin C stores by eating plenty of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Good sources include capsicums (red/green/yellow), berries, lemons, and broccoli/green leafy veg. I recommend a high grade Vitamin C powder daily for the prevention and maintenance of many conditions in the body.

5. Herbal detoxification products may be helpful in stopping and reversing a gallbladder attack. I suggest using formulas that use organic, whole herbs. There are some excellent products available, just ask your herbalist or naturopath.

3 tips for after the gallstones have passed

o Dr. Dick Versendaal, a Chiropractor from America recommends his “carotid-umbilicus technique”. For the best results, it is to used every 15 minutes for 1-3 hours as follows (it’s easier if someone else does it on you than you try to do it yourself ): using the index finger, apply a steady pressure into the belly button for 5 minutes, such as to depress the belly button 1-1 ½ inches (but avoiding pain). Do this once a day for up to 12 weeks after the stones are passed, it will help your gallbladder a lot.

o Firm rubbing for at least 30 seconds1-2 times a day of the neuro-lymphatic reflexes (these points may feel quite tender if you have gallbladder issues) between ribs 3 and 4, and ribs 4 and 5, just to each side of the breastbone, and between ribs 5 and 6 just under the nipple of the right breast can be quite helpful.

o Also softly holding (not pressing or rubbing) for at least one minute the neurovascular reflexes at the anterior fontanel (front of head the baby’s soft spot near crown of head- locate at tip of middle finger when the wrist crease of either hand is placed on the eye brows and the middle finger extended onto the midline of the skull) and at the hairline on the forehead directly above the outer corner of each eye. Look for the “tender spots”, you will find them.

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Source by Eric Bakker ND