Taming the Yeastie Beasties

This is guest post on Understanding and Healing from Yeast Over-Growth by Amy Jones.

Amy Jones is a Childbirth Educator and Birth Doula. She teaches classes on vaccines, herbs, essential oils, and nutrition and has authored two books, A World of Wisdom Cookbook and The Way of the Peaceful Birther. All of this led to her co-founding and directing Holistic Living Events, which puts on the annual LDS Holistic Living Conference. You Dont Have a Yeast Problem? Yes, you do. Seriously, stop arguing with meyou do. I dont care if youve never had a vaginal yeast infection, you still have a yeast problem. How do I know? Read on Whats the Big Deal? You think cancer is our nations biggest health problem? Think aga in. What if I told you that the majority of all your health woes, if not all of them, were all rooted in one problem? Yeast overgrowth. Specifically speaking, Candida Albicans.

What modern people have come to describe as normal, and even expected, in terms of their health is far from normal and almost all of it is rooted in yeast. Once, after I gave a lecture on yeast, a young woman approached me and asked something to the effect, So, youre saying that my irritable bowel is yeast? My headaches, probably yeast? My infertility, likely yeast? My gas, yeast? My eczema, yeast? My babys incessant crying, yeast? When I responded yes to all of it, there was

a look of disbelief, relief and terror on her face. I understood. I remember having that moment once. But is yeast overgrowth just a modern day problem? No there are many many, many historical reports even in the Bible that describe ailments that we now know are the result of yeast overgrowth. Some even believe that the week long Passover observance was Gods way of helping his people balance yeast overgrowth so that the destroying angel would pass them by. While yeast overgrowth is nothing new, it is become an epidemic in the past century or so. So much so, that the majority of the people in the United States suffer daily from yeast overgrowth manifestation in one form another. As a mother, doula and childbirth educator it has become even more apparent that we as a nation are in the midst of a yeast crisis as I see infants some as young as a week old exhibiting painful signs of yeast overgrowth. Colic, cradle cap, reflux, diaper rash what weve all come to expect and define as normal is, in fact, yeast overgrowth. And its becoming so rampant that it is rare that I see an infant that doesnt have symptoms. If not balanced and managed throughout ones life, these symptoms can morph into bigger, debilitating issues as you will see. In fact, I challenge you to look at the symptoms in the different stages of yeast overgrowth and not identify with at least one of two of the symptoms. The good news is, balancing yeast is more simple and cost effective than most people have been led to believe.

What is Yeast? Internal yeast, or Candida Albicans, is part of the zoo in our bodies and we need a certain level of it in order to be healthy. Yeast is responsible for eating our bodies away when we die. But when we have an overgrowth in our bodies, it can literally eat us alive. How is it Managed? While the liver is responsible for the management of yeast, yeast can overgrow in every part of our body. The overgrowth (known as Candidiasis) usually starts in the digestive system and gradually spreads to other parts of the body. It is also a type of parasite that

is strong, invasive and usually attaches itself to the intestinal wall and becomes a permanent resident of the internal organs. Candidiasis has the ability to produce 75 toxic substances that can poison the human body. Candidiasis is so invasive that it enters the gastrointestinal wall in the form of fungus where it develops very long, root like structures that penetrates the wall breaking down the protective barrier between the intestinal tract and the bloodstream. This breakdown allows the entrance of foreign as well as toxic substances to the bloodstream where they can harm various body systems. I remember when my husband was balancing his yeast and had some major die off in the form of vomiting. He complained to me how unique this felt not like a typical vomit, almost like someone was ripping his insides out. I replied that was because the yeast root structure was literally being torn out of his gut. The breaking down of the barrier results in some major problems especially when proteins and other food wastes are not completely digested or removed. There can also be an attack on the immune system that causes severe allergic reactions, fatigue and other health problems. Candidiasis together with some bacteria swimming in the bloodstream is dangerous since it will be able to find its way to other tissues. Candida infection may also cause of some heart attacks. There are reported cases of people who have never been diagnosed with heart problems, but then die from a heart attack for no apparent reason. Further, investigation has lead to surprising findings of Candida yeast causing undiagnosed heart attacks. Candida yeast can cover the heart, which is what causes the heart attack. The Candida yeast reaches the heart by means of the bloodstream. Candidiasis or Candida infection usually interferes with digestion and assimilation of vitamins and minerals. A great number of senior citizens, cancer patients as well as those individuals with HIV are suffering nutritional deficiencies because their body is unable to absorb nutrients from the food that they eat. A great number of people are experiencing iron deficiency due to the presence of Candida. Immunological weaknesses and infectious conditions are usually worsened by the presence of Candida parasites throughout the body. Yeast cell activity gives off two dangerous by-products: acetaidehyde and ethanol. The Candida parasites also prohibits oxygen from entering the tissues. The ethanol that is given off by Candida parasites is the major cause excessive fatigue and reduction of strength and stamina in people infected with Candida. The ethanol likewise destroys enzymes that are needed for providing cells with energy and releases free radicals that hasten the aging process. Most women have commented to me that just because they dont have a vaginal yeast infection, they must not have a yeast problem. Most everyone believes that men cant

have a yeast problem. And that the only symptom in a baby is thrush. Wrong! Dangerously wrong, in fact. Even a lot of health nuts that should know better have said to me, Oh, theres no way I have a yeast problem, I eat too well! as they scratch their eczema. Uh-huh. Yeast overgrowth manifests itself in so many different ways that it can be hard to keep up, but getting to the root of your symptoms is such a relief. When I realized that all my babys problems were yeast related, and so many of my problems were also yeast that I got in the womb from my mother, it made solving all these symptoms so easy all I needed to do was balance yeast. Stages of Yeast Overgrowth Stage 1 In the First Stage of Candida, the mucous membrane areas of the body may be infected. These include the mouth, vagina, nose, and Respiratory System.

Symptoms of First Stage Candida Infant Colic, childhood rages, adult unexplained unprovoked anger Cradle Cap, dandruff, greasy hair Vaginal yeast infections and itching Severe P.M.S. Urinary tract infections Body rashes (including diaper rash) Diffuculty falling or staying asleep Eczema Acne Oral thrush Allergies to foods, dust, molds, fungus, yeast, inhalants, and chemicals Repeated bouts of bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, and strep or staph infections RSV Mononucleosis Pneumonia Gas (infant or adult) Unexplained tooth decay Bad breath and body odor Mastitis sore, creacked, and bleeding nipples during breastfeeding Bladder weakness

Spotty skin discoloration (white or brown) also known as liver or sun spots Cravings for alcohol Cravings for sugar Rectal itching Persistent cough Belching Heartburn Stage 2

The Second Stage of Candida may involve more generalized and chronic reactions.

Symptoms of Second Stage Candida:

Unexplained weight gain or inability to keep weight on Ear infections, unexplained ear discharge, tinitis (ringing of the ears) Chronic pain Headaches (including Migraine) Extreme fatigue Psoriasis Nail infections Muscle aches Joint pain Arthritis Fibromyalgia Ulcers Infant or adult reflux Casein or gluten intolerance / celiac Ulcers Endometriosis Jock itch Dizziness/vertigo Bladder infections/UTI

Stage 3

The Third Stage of Candida may involve MENTAL and BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES:

Symptoms of Third Stage Candida:

Inability to concentrate Not being able to read or follow a television program or carry on a hobby Serious forgetfulness Memory loss Mental confusion Not being able to think of the words to say something Switching around of words and letters when trying to speak and/or write Loss of previous skills (such as how to type or how to play the piano, etc. Irrational thoughts Unusual fears Phobias Panic / anxiety attacks Muscle twitching Irritability Violence Depression Aggressive behavior Epileptic seizures Thoughts of death or suicide Infertility Crohns disease IBS Leaky Gut Syndrome Diabetes Hypoglycemia Thyroid disorders

Stage 4 A person in the Fourth Stage of Candida (also known as systemic yeast) may experience a virtual SHUTDOWN OF VARIOUS ORGAN SYSTEMS of the body.

Symptoms of Fourth Stage Candida: Adrenal gland failure Endocrine System failure Severe vomiting Severe constipation Total muscle weakness Hives Boils The Circulatory System may be swamped with so much yeast that the capillaries are clogged, causing HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, NUMBNESS OF EXTREMITIES, and EASY BRUISING. The person may run a low-grade fever, but the hands and feet will often be very cold Tachycardia (palpitations, irregular beats, mitral valve problems or heart murmur) In the Respiratory System, the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs may be packed with yeast so that person cannot get adequate breath AKA asthma Alzheimers ADD / ADHD Autism AIDS Lupus Multiple Sclerosis Osteoporosis Schleroderma The complete failure of the Immune System leaves the body defenseless against all enemy bacteria, viruses, and disease conditions including cancer.

What Causes Yeast to Overgrow? When you look at the list of things that can cause yeast to overgrow, it easily explains why it has become an epidemic in the past century, and certainly within the past few decades. You also begin to understand why yeast overgrowth has always been a concern. It is nearly impossible for modern people to escape exposure to these triggers, which is why it is incumbent to everyone to always be vigilant about their diet and

lifestyle and how it may affect their internal zoo and treat accordingly. Take a deep breath, here is a list of the most common and likely yeast overgrowth triggers:

Antibiotics Refined flours/high starch/carbohydrate foods Alcohol, recreational drugs, many prescribed drugs Use of corticosteroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Stress (depresses or even shuts down the Immune System) Infant formula use Vaccines Cesarean Sections (yeast overgrows for both the mother and the baby) Any type of surgery or traumatic injury Exposure to heave metals (via tooth fillings, vaccines, food,and tap water) Exposure to artificial coloring, flavorings, and sweeteners Insufficient vitamin D (in particular, not enough direct sunlight exposure) Consuming animal products contaminated with antibiotics or growth hormones, i.e. any meat or dairy that is NOT organic Insufficient sleep Excessive traveling, especially to other countries Pesticide / herbicide consumption Even if youve had antibiotics only once, as a baby even or had only one vaccine in your whole life, or have since gotten your fillings replaced with composites, I guarantee you have a yeast overgrowth going on.

How to balance yeast

I often describe balancing yeast like getting rid of a stalker exboyfriend. you cant just politely ask it to keep its distance by eliminating your refined sugar and flour intake. You have to submit a restraining order and get your concealed weapons permit and learn to shoot by not only adjusting your diet, but changing your lifestyle and taking herbs, essential oils, etc. When I went looking for ways on how to balance yeast (initially I thought this was just for my babies and young children), all of them seemed well unattainable. The diet suggestions alone would mean that my kids would likely starve themselves. It seemed so daunting and overwhelming that I almost had resigned myself that it would be easier to live with a yeast overgrowth than treat it via the suggestions I was finding. So, I had to find something kid friendly. That didnt happen. I basically had to create it myself. So then, I have talked with other people who have approached yeast balancing in a much more practical manner. Here are some of those more simple ways to get yeast in check: Step 1: Probiotics

A note about good bacteria: As newborns, our large intestines are colonized by beneficial bacterial, like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterial bifidum. These bacteria, acquired from our mothers as we pass through the birth canal (one reason why c section babies are more sickly), perform a number of functions in our bodies. They manufacture B vitamins, aid in the digestion and absorption of food, and

provide a barrier on the mucosal lining of these various tissues, preventing abnormal bacteria and yeast from entering the system. Besides coexisting peacefully in the colon, beneficial bacteria also reside in the mucous membranes of the throat and in the vagina. These good bacteria live within us in a symbiotic, friendly relationship. Remember the Rule of 15 Take a live, strong probiotic daily, consisting of at least 15 billion active cultures. The more the merrier. Also, look for a probiotic containing at least 15 different strains of beneficial bacteria. Typically, the best ones will be in the refrigerated section of your health food store and the most expensive sorry. No, a good daily yogurt is not enough to colonize your gut with what is needs. Probiotics contain our good bacteria, that coat our internal organs and keep yeast in check, preventing it from invading our systems through our organ walls. For infants, you want to get a probiotic that specifies that its for babies and toddlers, as the molecules are smaller and are more available in their little systems. If you are unable to find infant or toddler specific probiotics, go ahead and use the adult ones.

Prebiotics. Prebiotics are non-digestible parts of foods that probiotics can use to fuel their growth and activity. the prebiotics work by stimulating the growth of probiotics. However, in order to get to where they are needed, prebiotics must be able to get through the upper part of the intestine without being digested or absorbed by the body. The top prebiotics are:

1. Chicory Root 2. Jerusalem Artichoke 3. Dandelion Greens 4. Garlic 5. Leek 6. Onion 7. Cooked Onion 8. Asparagus 9. Wheat bran 10. Whole Grains, including oatmeal 11. Banana

12. Flax and chia seeds 13. Almonds. Well known for their prebiotic properties that improve our digestive health by increasing levels of beneficial gut bacteria, in addition to being an excellent source of alkaline protein. Soaking them in water in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours will remove their phytic acid (an enzyme inhibitor that protects the nuts while growing), making the nutrients more bio available. You may wish to sprinkle unrefined salt or Redmond salt on them. Step 2: Greens Taking a greens supplement is incredibly helpful when you are balancing yeast. mold, Fungi, and yeast attach on to the greens molecules which helps to sweep them out efficiently. Step 3: Treatment You can approach balancing yeast with herbs, essential oils, or homeopathics. The latter I will not address because I havent personally tried it, although Ive known many people who have used homeopathics successfully to balance yeast.

Herbs: equal parts chaparral, pau darco, olive leaf, and myrrh. These can be encapsulated or tinctured, or purchased commercially at Feel Good Foods. If you are in stage 1, you could try the following regimen for persons 7 years and older: 3 pills (or 3 dropperfuls dropperful equals 25 drops), 3 times per day for 14 days which would equal 120 pills or 4 oz of tincture. For stage 2, you could use 3 pills two times a day for 21 days; for stage 3, 3 pills once a day for 28 days; and for stage 4, 1 pill once a day for 60 days. These are conservative dosages in order to avoid die off debilitation which Ill discuss later. Tips and tricks for treating with herbs: 1. Once this initial treatment is complete, take 3 pills (or 3 dropperfuls) once a day for one month for every year youve had a problem, otherwise the yeast is likely to overgrow again quickly. For many people, this would include exposure to yeast overgrowth in the womb. For instance, if you are 30 years old, and you feel youve had yeast overgrowth symptoms all your lif e, you would take 3 pills a

day for 30 months. Add on one more month if you think your mother had yeast overgrowth when she was pregnant with you. 2. Be sure to take a probiotic, greens, and prebiotics with this regimen. 3. For infants and between 4-12 months, doing 1 dropperful per day with probiotic is sufficient. 4. For children 1-3 years, 2 dropperfuls with a probiotic per day. 5. For children 4-6 years, 2-3 dropperfuls with a probiotic 6. My Feel Good Foods Regimen. some people report great success on this regimen.

Essential oils: (recommendations courtesy of Julia Holt) 5 drops Lemon Essential Oil, 5 drops Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Essential Oil, 3 drops Oregano Essential Oil, in a capsule take 1 per day with a meal. Tips and tricks for treating with essential oils: Rotate using the essential oils with probiotics. for example, stay on the yeast killing blend for 10 days. Then rebuild with a probiotic for 5 days, taking a good probiotic 3x day. Repeat cycle until yeast is controlled. This cycle can last a few months. Diet and Other Supplements

Personally, I am not of the school of thought that eliminating fruits and vegetables from the diet is healthy or beneficial when balancing yeast. While it is true that yeast can feed off of these foods, I find that treating with the herbs or oils eliminates the need to cut out any healthy foods. Additionally, many people are so intimidated by the diet restrictions, that they feel living with the yeast is better than the treatment. I have found that those with a while food diet, ones that even include clean dairy and meat, can see huge success implementing the herbs and oils, but the following are some general diet guidelines that will improve your outcomes:

Coconut water and Cold pressed Coconut Oil. It contains caprylic acid, a powerful anti-fungal agent that directly kills the Candida yeast. At minimum, drink the water from one or more coconut daily and/or take 3 tbsp. of oil per day. Garlic. Two fresh cloves is high in a biologically active compound called allicin. This is a strong anti-fungal. Diet. Reducing and/or eliminating refined sugars, refined flours, and refined grains (i.e. white rice) is the most important step. Vitamin D. yeast overgrowth produces an immune suppression, or maybe it overgrows because of a lack of it, but either way, when a yeast overgrowth is present, you must increase your vitamin D levels. Sources of vitamin D include those found here. Yeast Die Off: The Herxheimer Reaction

Ah! Die off. I hate it, but I love it. When large numbers of yeast cells die in a short period of time, the body has a difficult time detoxifying them quickly. As a result, yeast toxins enter circulation and can cause symptoms in the mucous membranes that cover the surfaces of most organs in the body, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestine, sexual and urinary organs, sinuses, ears, and bronchi. Those who are in stage 2 or higher of yeast overgrowth tend to feel worse, not better, when they begin balancing yeast because of die off. Because most babies and toddlers are still only in stage 1, they tend not to experience negative symptoms of yeast die off. Though this can be a disturbing experience, it is actually a sign that the treatment is working. These symptoms are the predictable result of yeast die-off, also called the Herxheimer reaction. Each persons die-off reaction is different. In some, preexisting symptoms are exacerbated; in others, new symptoms appear. Symptoms can last anywhere from several days to two weeks, usually starting on the third day of balancing yeast. Typical die off symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, greasy hair, stomach upset, gas, burping, and vertigo, fatigue, brain fog, low grade fever,

headache, sore throat, body itch, muscle and/or joint soreness or pain, feeling as if coming down with a flu.

To reduce or eliminate die off symptoms: Take a strong, daily probiotic Strong, daily greens supplement A daily coffee enema gets rid of the yeast as quickly as it is dumping. More water should be consumed. 4-6 fluid ounces of warm or hot water every forty-five minutes, throughout the day Rest Peppermint essential oil internally Chlorophyll drops as needed 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice daily Dry skin brushing before and after a shower stimulates your liver and helps your elimination pathways open. Take measures to have more bowel movement. Senna, Smooth Move Tea, or On The Move from Herbalogie.com Grind a small amount of flax seeds in a coffee grinder until fine, light and fluffy, then stir a heaping tablespoon into a glass of lukewarm water, let stand for about ten minutes, stir again and drink on an empty stomach Troy an Epsom salt bath, or a baking soda bath, to help draw out toxins.

If you do not effectively rid the yeast as it is dying off and dumping, it can possibly settle in other areas of your body, such as your joints and cause arthritis type symptoms. yeast die off symptoms are a sign that the systems eliminatory pathways are overburdened or as oftentimes happens, blocked. Individuals with elevated heavy metal levels may have special problems with yeast dieoff reactions. If you experience yeast die off symptoms and refuse to do an enema, I would recommend backing off of your herbal or essential oil dosage. This would mean that your road to yeast balancing will take longer and may be more difficult than had you done enemas. Maintenance

Since we are constantly exposed to yeast overgrowth triggers, such as heavy metals and stress to say the least, after you balance out initially, it is highly unlikely that you will never need to re-balance your gut. Taking a probiotics and greens supplement daily, in addition to improving your diet is just the first step to keeping your gut in check. Just for good measure, you may want to spend at least one month out of the year taking the yeast herbs daily. January is a great time to do this, as it is right after the holidays when we are barraged with sub-par foods and stress. Treating for yeast after a particularly stressful event would also be a good idea. For instance, I do a yeast cleanse in January and stay on yeast balancing herbs for a month or two after that. Since I have learned more about the Passover, I will also be incorporating more of a traditional Passover observance in Spring by at least fasting until dinner on Passover week, and eating very anti-Candida foods. Also, meditating, exercising, laughing, and engaging in other stress reducing activities as part of a permanent lifestyle change are in order. Additionally, consider going off as many, if not all, pharmaceuticals, including birth control pills. Learning how to use natural antibiotics so that you can reduce or eliminate treating with prescription antibiotics would be a high priority as well. Resources: Myfeelgoodfoods.com Herbalogie.com Mountainroseherbs.com CandidaYeastCure.com Wikipedia.org DrHotze.com CoconutDiet.com

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EPILEPSY AND SEIZURES

by Lawrence Wilson, MD January 2014 , The Center For Development

Seizures are becoming more and more common today. I receive an email about someone who has developed seizures at least once a week. Often they occur in children, and often they occur at night or early in the morning upon awakening. This article will explain why and how this can happen. An epileptic seizure is an electrical discharge within the brain that spreads quickly out of control throughout the central nervous system. There are two major types called grand mal seizures and petit mal seizures. These differ mainly in the degree of the symptoms and perhaps in the severity of the effects on the body, both physically and emotionally. The medical approach to seizures is to take sedative drugs, often for life. However, I find that in most cases, the seizures can be stopped or significantly reduced with a thorough nutritional balancing program. Sometimes the response is within a few days. In some cases, it takes longer, especially if a chronic infection is present. Therefore, in many cases, seizures need not be such a fearful condition, although they are always unpleasant and can be debilitating. This article discusses the causes of seizures that I encounter, and how to correct them.

SYMPTOMS OF SEIZURES

Seizures cause symptoms due to the electrical discharge in the nervous system. Many cases are mild. A person may notice a part of the body is just numb, or paralyzed for a few seconds, or one may be absent for a few seconds. These milder symptoms are sometimes called petit mal seizures. They are becoming quite common, in fact, as

the general nutritional status of people declines in America and elsewhere. So-called grand mal seizures are those with more pronounced symptoms such as jerking of the limbs, uncontrolled urination or defecation, biting the tongue, and often a short period of unconsciousness after the seizure. This is usually followed by a period of exhaustion for a few hours or longer. Chain damage. Repeated grand mal seizures may also have longer-term effects on the brain and the body. These seizures move energy upward through the body, in many cases. People report feeling energy moving upward from a hand or foot, perhaps, and finally reaching the head. If the person can stop the upward movement, perhaps with a mental efforting, the seizure is prevented or aborted. Upward and the jerking movement of the seizure causes damage to what I call on this website the chain. This seems like brain damage, but is really much more than this. For more on this important topic, read The Chain on this website. To move energy downward, practice the Roy Masters meditative exercise daily. Be sure to include my modification to the exercise.

CAUSES FOR SEIZURES

THE THRESHOLD CONCEPT

The threshold concept can help one understand how to stop and permanently avoid seizures. The basic idea is that when one is prone to seizures, two factors usually enter into the picture:

1. An underlying and often subtle biochemical imbalance that makes one prone to seizures. These include very subtle and chronic ear or sinus infections, or a toxic metal in the brain. Other conditions occasionally are also present, such as necrotic tissue in the brain, impaired circulation to an area of the brain, a tumor, or other.

2. The effect of triggers. These are stressful events of some kind that act as triggers. An important one is dehydration. Another is low blood sugar. Another can be inflammation anywhere in the head, improper diet or improper vitamin or mineral supplements that unbalance the body chemistry. Others may include fatigue, hunger, fever, a food toxin, or even just too much excitement from any cause.

Usually, these two factors combine to cause the seizure. It is therefore most helpful to address both aspects above. This is an important principle in the deep correction of seizure. The paragraphs below detail ways to reduce factors in the diet and lifestyle that often trigger seizures. Since this can be done quickly, it often results in a significant improvement within a week or sometimes even less. Then one can focus on the deeper underlying imbalances, which can take a year or more to resolve in some cases. The rest of this article goes into more detail about other interesting aspects of seizure disorders.

SPECIFIC UNDERLYING CAUSES AND TRIGGERS

1. Dehydration, usually acute. This is very common and causes many seizures in children and adults. They can occur at any time. However, seizures at night may easily occur for this reason. Many people do not want to drink water after 6 PM or so, because it makes them get up during the night to urinate. As a result of not drinking enough water in the evening, they dehydrate at night. Even if one drinks enough water before bedtime, some people simply cannot go for 8 to 10 hours at night without drinking water. The reasons for this are that some people breathe through their mouth at night, or just breathe heavily during the night, and this causes dehydration at night. This can cause seizures during the night or soon upon awakening in the morning. In other cases, the water a person drinks does not hydrate the body adequately. This occurs often with reverse osmosis or RO water, for example, and in some cases with tap water or others. Other people are on The Dehydration Diet, which is discussed in a separate article. It

includes the ingestion of sugar, alcohol and/or caffeine in the diet, all of which cause dehydration. Dehydration may also be a trigger for febrile seizures in babies and children. Babies and young children dehydrate quickly, especially if they have a fever, because their bodies contain a greater percentage of water than adults. The possibility of seizures is much greater if a child or adult cannot drink water while ill, because they will throw it up. As a result, they dehydrate and this can easily cause a seizure. Always check for inadequate water intake when looking for the cause of seizures. If a person is ill and cannot drink water, one can usually rehydrate the person by having him or her suck on a washrag that has been soaked in water. A bath may also help, and one can rehydrate a body with a water enema that is retained for at least 5 minutes. These can be repeated every few hours, if needed. If this is not enough, then intravenous rehydration is needed.

2. Chronic infections. These are very common, and often hard of impossible to identify. The infection can be bacterial, viral, parasitic or possibly a yeast or fungal type. It may be in the brain itself, or located nearby in a sinus, ear or some other structure near the brain. They can be due to a birth trauma, an old childhood infection that never healed fully, an accident or injury, or some other cause. They can become infected easily, especially as one ages, or if one is malnourished, toxic or otherwise out of balance. Often such infections are extremely subtle and chronic, and for this reason may not be revealed on x-rays, MRIs or other scans or tests. Chronic infections may present no obvious symptoms at all. However, they can irritate the brain, which can make one prone to seizures. On a hair mineral test, chronic infections may be revealed as a low sodium/potassium ratio. However, this is not a 100% reliable indicator, as it is common in people without seizures, as well. A nutritional balancing program improves the vitality of the body, which can enable the body to clear out chronic infections on its own, in most cases. Drugs and even herbs or other remedies are rarely required, and can get in the way of deep healing of chronic infections. The process may occur quickly, or it can take a year or a number of years if a person is malnourished and out of balance. Warning: As old infections are cleared, one may experience a flare-up of the infection. This process is called retracing. It is discussed

in a separate article entitled Retracing and Healing Reactions. It can be very discouraging, but it does not mean that a program is not working. I often help out with difficult cases in which seizures continue to occur, at times.

3. Acute infections. These affect babies and children, most often. If an infection is near the brain, such as an ear or sinus infection, it may directly irritate the delicate brain tissue. An intestinal infection may cause vomiting and resulting dehydration. A fever can also cause dehydration and febrile seizures. Other possible reasons for childhood seizures with infections may be a change in the blood pH, or a fast oxidation rate that results in low calcium, magnesium and zinc. Other mechanisms for seizures due to infections are also possible, such as the effect of toxins secreted by bacteria or other infective agents.

4. Certain food chemicals. Specifically, carrageenan causes problems for those prone to seizures. This is a common food additive extracted from certain red sea vegetables. It is used in many processed food products as a thickener and stabilizer. However, it causes inflammation in the body, and can cause blood sugar disturbance, as well.

5. Inflammation from any cause. Patterns indicating an inflammatory state are often revealed on the hair mineral analyses of those with seizures. Inflammation irritates the delicate tissues of the brain, or sets in motion a seizure by other mechanisms. When inflammation is reduced, the seizures usually go away quickly. Some people with seizures have a Sympathetic Dominance Pattern on a hair mineral analysis. This is a tendency to overuse the sympathetic nervous system. It tends to cause inflammation throughout out the body, including in the nervous system. The presence of the Three Amigos, in excess, can cause seizures in susceptible people. These are toxic forms of iron, manganese and aluminum that are very irritating. Inflammation can also be caused by

low levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, low levels of vitamin D, low zinc, high copper, or the presence of toxic metals in or near the brain.

6. Toxic metal poisoning. This is a common contributor to seizure activity. It can be subtle, meaning that it may not be revealed on urine, blood or even hair mineral analyses. The reason is that the toxic metals are hidden deep in the brain, in many cases, where they are hard to detect. Urine challenge tests with chelating agents, for example, do not penetrate deeply enough to reveal these toxic metals. The most common toxic elements that trigger seizures include mercury, excessive copper, and perhaps others such as toxic forms of iron, aluminum, manganese, or even lead or arsenic. Often several metals are involved at once. Most children are born with too much of all of these toxic metals today. A complete nutritional balancing program will remove all of them, and a dozen others that may contribute to seizures, as well. It will also remove hundreds of toxic chemicals, which can also contribute to seizures.

7. Specific nutrient deficiencies. Calcium, magnesium and zinc are called the sedative minerals. They are calming and relaxing for the nervous system. Many people with seizure disorders have some degree of deficiency or biologically unavailable calcium and magnesium, as revealed on hair mineral tests. As mentioned in an earlier paragraph, other commonly deficient nutrients can include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and perhaps other vitamins. Nutrient deficiencies may be subtle, offering no overt symptoms except seizures. It all depends where the nutrients are deficient, and how they affect the nervous system. As body chemistry becomes more balanced and stronger with a nutritional balancing program, these nutrient deficiencies diminish and seizures often diminish as well.

8. Fluctuations in the blood sugar. This can trigger a seizure in some people. Habits that lead to an uneven blood sugar level include eating fruit, drinking fruit juices, and consuming all other sugary foods

and beverages. This can be an important cause of seizures in babies, and in those with hypoglycemic or diabetic tendencies.

9. An imbalanced pH. I have noticed that some children and babies have seizures when their pH becomes alkaline. This may have to do with the bioavailablility of their calcium, magnesium or perhaps zinc. In these cases, eating a piece of fruit, for example, can trigger a seizure.

10. Stress of any kind. As explained below, seizures are a threshold phenomenon, and anything that adds stress to the body can cause a seizure in susceptible individuals. Even normal, healthy people can experience a seizure if they are under enough stress. Stress depletes nutrients and aggravates infections and most other imbalances in the nervous system. Among the most common stressors that cause seizures are exhaustion, fatigue from lack of rest and sleep, and dehydration.

11. Food allergies or sensitivity to food chemicals. Allergic foods may be primary causes of seizures, or they may act as triggers only. Any food can be a culprit, although wheat, soy, sugar, and dairy are the most common ones. Food additives such as MSG or aspartame may contribute to seizures, in some cases. These are called excitotoxins because they irritate the nervous system. Eliminating food chemicals, sugar and wheat can definitely help some people who suffer from seizures.

12. Other. Inflammation or irritation of the brain structures from any cause may lead to seizures. Less common causes are pressure from a tumor, parasitic infection, or even a misalignment of the spine and neck. Seizures can rarely be an adverse effect of a medical drug such as AZT and other AIDS drugs or others. Other illnesses such as Parkinson's disease can occasionally cause seizures.

OTHER TOPICS RELATED TO SEIZURES -

FAST OXIDATION AND CHILDRENS SEIZURES

Fast oxidation is a mineral pattern seen commonly on hair tissue mineral analyses of babies and young children. This cause of seizures occurs less often in older children or adults. Fast oxidation is defined as an absolute or relatively low hair level of calcium and magnesium in relation to the sodium and potassium levels. The hair sample must not have been washed at the laboratory. The hair washing procedure is important because washing hair at the lab, which is common, damages the sample and may cause inaccuracy in the test. In these individuals, the fight-or-flight mechanism is activated too often and/or too much, resulting in excessive elimination of calcium, magnesium and zinc in the urine. As a result, they easily become deficient in these minerals at a tissue level. Note that standard blood serum tests will not reveal low tissue calcium, magnesium or zinc, in most cases. These individuals require additional calcium, magnesium, zinc and often copper. Refined food diets are notorious for their low levels of bioavailable minerals, so this is definitely harmful. The ketogenic diet. In addition, fast oxidizers require supplements of these minerals and more high-quality fats and oils in their diets. Research indicates some success with seizures with a socalled ketogenic diet, which is essentially a diet that is high in fats and oils and low in carbohydrates. However, just following this diet can be harmful by unbalancing body chemistry, and because it is not necessarily a complete diet. It is also not enough to stop seizures in many cases. With a nutritional balancing program, one can tell if and when this diet may be helpful or harmful.

COPPER, MERCURY AND SEIZURES

Mercury shares some properties of copper. Both are excellent electrical conductors, which means they may short-circuit the brain,

to a degree. Both are also commonly in excess in the general population, and both can damage the nervous system. Copper is an essential trace mineral. However, it is highly toxic when in excess or biounavailable, as it is in some cases of epilepsy. Then it becomes a cause of inflammation. Copper imbalance is also associated with scarring throughout the body, and with infections, especially fungal, viral and parasitic infections. This may also be why too much copper or biounavailable copper often contributes to seizures. Copper imbalance is very common today, and so strongly associated with seizures that I am surprised more is not written about it. Yet copper excess or unavailability can be corrected easily in many cases, often within a few months using a combination of dietary changes that are discussed later, and a nutrition and lifestyle program that targets this imbalance. To read much more about copper and its metabolism, click on Copper Toxicity Syndrome.

SEIZURES IN WOMEN AND GIRLS, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT OCCUR JUST BEFORE THE MENSTRUAL PERIOD

Copper imbalance as a contributor to seizures occurs in both men and women. However, women are more prone to this type of seizure activity because they tend to be copper-dominant. This essentially means that womens bodies have more copper, in general, than do mens bodies. Before the menstrual period, the copper level rises even higher. This causes seizures in a few women. Women, in general, suffer more seizures than men, perhaps due to womens higher copper levels.

THE SODIUM/POTASSIUM RATIO AND EPILEPSY

A hair sodium/potassium ratio less than 2.5:1 often indicates a chronic foci of infection, which may contribute to seizures. This low

ratio may also indicate excessive tissue breakdown, which prevents the proper healing of scar tissue. Correction of the sodium/potassium ratio with a complete nutritional balancing program is most helpful, in these cases, to produce a permanent correction of epileptic seizures.

DIETARY ASPECTS OF EPILEPSY

Food reactions can trigger epileptic seizures. The main culprits are any food product containing carrageenen. Strictly avoid this! You must read labels to figure out which foods contain it. However, here is a list of the main ones:

Chocolate milk Rice milk Almond milk Hemp milk Infant formulas Eggnog Cottage cheeses Sour cream Lunch meats Dips Juices Frozen pizza Creamer

soy milk Hazelnut milk coconut milk flax milk sunflower milk aloe very gel nutritional drinks fruit and cereal bars vegetable lasagna and ziti bowl coffee and tea beverages candy bars Dairy-free spreads Desserts

Slimfast and other similar drinks Yogurt Kefir Infant Formula Canned soups

Ice cream

Baby food

Also avoid the following foods that are rich in glutamate and aspartate, two very excitatory amino acids:

1) Grains: Wheat, barley, and oats are highest in glutamine. Corn and rice are lower. Therefore they may be better for anyone with a tendency for epilepsy.

2) Dairy Products: All cows milk products are high in glutamine. Goatbased dairy is much better in this regard. Cow-based cheese that appear to be the worst include cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella and worst is PARMESAN. Casein is very concentrated in cheese and is 20% glutamic acid by composition.

3) Beans: Soy, Pinto, lima, black, navy, and lentils are also high in glutamic acid or glutamine.

4) Seeds: Sunflower, pumpkin, and others are also high in glutamine, though less than wheat and dairy. I do not recommend them anyway, as they are harder to digest and perhaps a bit toxic.

5) Peanuts: These are very high in glutamine, as are cashews, pistachios, and less-so almonds. We do not recommend many nuts on nutritional balancing programs. Some toasted almond butter, however, is usually okay once or twice weekly.

6) All Soy Products, except perhaps for a little tofu and tempeh. Soy is very high in glutamine. Beware, as soy is incorporated into many, many products as a filler and cheap protein source. It may be labeled as vegetable protein, textured vegetable protein, soy isolate or not labeled

at all, sadly.

7) Diet Drinks And Diet or Non-sugared Foods of All Kinds: These are the primary source of aspartate as they are often sweetened with Nutrasweet, also called Equal or aspartame. AVOID ALL PRODUCTS CONTAINING THIS INGREDIENT.

8) Prepared Foods Such As Soups: 70% of prepared foods and many soups contain MSG. AVOID ALL FOOD PREPARED WITH MSG. This may also be labeled as hydrolyzed vegetable protein, soy protein extract, textured vegetable protein or not labeled at all. Chinese and some other oriental foods served in restaurants may also contain MSG, as this is a common flavor enhancer in oriental cooking.

9) Meats: Meats are naturally rich in glutamate and aspartate, but this is offset by other amino acids in the food that balances them, in almost all cases. Meat is generally a healthful food and should not be avoided. Rabbit and turkey are the highest in glutamate, while lamb and eggs are the lowest. Chicken is fairly low as well. The amount in a normal serving of meat should not be enough to cause problems. I believe that the other "unnatural" sources of glutamate, when combined with the meats, might cause problems, but in general, meat alone is not the problem. Sixty to seventy percent of the American diet is wheat and dairy (with heavy emphasis on cheese). This, combined with the amount of artificial sweeteners being consumed and the addition of soy protein, is leading America and the world into an epidemic of seizures and other inflammatory (pain) syndromes such as fibromyalgia, arthritis and many others.

WHY NUTRITIONAL BALANCING SCIENCE?

Most cases of epilepsy or seizures are, in fact, just biochemical imbalances that may be subtle, but due to their nature or location, they

have very powerful effects upon the central nervous system. This is the reason I imagine that so many people respond well to nutritional balancing programs. Nutritional balancing science specifically addresses many of the causes of seizures such as:

Toxic metals and toxic chemicals in the brain.

Acute, as well as deep, and often very chronic foci of infection in the brain. Clinical and seemingly minor and sub-clinical nutrient deficiencies.

Other imbalances in the nervous system that are reflected in the mineral levels and ratios on a hair mineral analysis, when it is performed and interpreted by the method of Dr. Paul C. Eck. Dietary imbalances that can irritate and excessively excite the nervous. Blood sugar imbalances. Lifestyle and other types of stressors that may act as triggers or even as basic causes for seizures. Imbalances affecting yin and yang forces in the body. This is more important than one might imagine, in some cases.
STIMULANTS

The consumption of sugars (even fruit), caffeine or the excitotoxins such as MSG and aspartame (Equal or Nutrasweet) tend to aggravate seizures. Stimulants of all kinds can produce fluctuations in blood sugar, alterations in neurotransmitter levels, and irritates delicate structures in the nervous system. Avoid all stimulants, including alcohol and any unnecessary medications, including over-the-counter medications.

SEIZURE MEDICATION AND NUTRITIONAL CORRECTION

Many who have seizures are rightfully hesitant to stop their anti-seizure medication. Common drugs that are prescribed include Dilantin, Keppra, Tegretol and others. I advise that medication be continued for at least 3 months after beginning a nutrition program. Then, a repeat hair mineral analysis may help one decide if it is safe to discontinue medication. It is best to obtain the cooperation of the prescribing physician, of course. There is no guarantee that nutritional methods will eliminate the need for medication. However, in many cases medication can be reduced and even eliminated provided the patient stays on a healthy eating regimen and a proper supplementation program.

Removing other drugs from the body. Beware that some medical drugs can cause seizures as a side effect. If you are taking medication and suddenly develop seizures, consider this possibility. Several weeks to several months of near infrared sauna therapy and coffee enemas, in particular, may be needed to remove medical drugs that have built up in the body.

CHRONIC EAR INFECTIONS, MANGANESE IMBALANCE AND CARBAMAZEPINE (brand names are Tegretol, Equitro, Epitrol, Finlepsin, Neurotol, Amizepine and Carbitrol)

Manganese has an affinity for the ears, and some people with ear problems have too much toxic manganese compounds in this area of the body, and/or have a deficiency of usable manganese. A toxic form of manganese, for example, is found in all gasoline today around the world. Some are exposed to more of this than other people. A common seizure drug, carbamazepine, may work on seizures caused by chronic ear infections by altering manganese levels in the ear region, which may reduce infection in the ears.

CAUTIONS WITH THE CORRECTION PROCESS AND A NUTRITIONAL BALANCING PROGRAM

1. A seizure flare-up can occur during a healing reaction. While we do our best to avoid these situations, they sometimes occur. Be sure to stay well-hydrated and have some seizure dip described below daily to help prevent these. When the nervous system is delicate, even a minor shift can increase seizure activity for a short time. Keep in close touch with your practitioner in these cases.

2. If you are on a nutritional balancing program an infection such as a strep throat or flu occurs , please consult your practitioner before taking any drugs such as antibiotics. Natural methods for healing infections are much less toxic. The use of medical drugs could set a person back. This is not meant to dissuade anyone from going to the doctor or the emergency room, or to avoid using medication. It is simple a warning that less toxic methods of handling acute or even chronic infections are often less toxic and therefore preferable to try first in most cases.

3. If a flare-up or seizure occurs on a nutritional balancing program, it does not mean the program is not working. Usually, it is just a retracing or a stress reaction, as described above. Have a conversation with your practitioner if something occurs that is worrisome. Often the cause is the elimination of a toxic metal, for example, and this process can be slowed, perhaps, or another change made in the program to stop the symptoms.

4. It is important to keep your nutritional balancing program current. Otherwise, if body chemistry changes, the nutrition program could become inappropriate and further upset body chemistry.

THE SEIZURE DIP AND HYDRATION

For anyone with history of seizures or active seizures, an excellent sort of remedy that may help suppress seizures is to have some sour cream, topped off with some garlic powder, oregano, turmeric and sea salt. Have a little each day. The reason is the sour cream provides calcium and fat, both helpful for many people with seizures. The garlic is anti-infective and anti-inflammatory, as is the turmeric. The sea salt may help retain water in the body and prevent some dehydration. I welcome feedback on this remedy that one of our clients uses with success. Also be sure to stay well-hydrated, and drink in the evening and if you wake up at all thirsty at night. This can be critical to avoid a seizure. Adults need to drink about 3 quarts daily of spring water, preferably, or carbon-only filtered tap water. A sand filter is also okay, but not other types of filters such as RO, alkaline water, etc. for more on water, read Water For Drinking on this site.

DEEP VERSUS SYMPTOMATIC CORRECTION

Many holistic physicians will take the material in this article and approach the condition of seizures in a symptomatic way. They will use DMPS to remove mercury, penicillamine for copper, and GABA or high doses of inositol or homeopathic remedies for calming the nervous system. This is unfortunate, as the real cause is often not addressed. The underlying cause of this disorder has to do with diet, lifestyle and the overall nutritional balance of the body. Correcting this might take longer in some cases, though not necessarily. Many people respond very fast to a properly designed nutritional balancing program. Also, most remedies including vitamins, herbs, homeopathics, drugs and others are very yin, and for this reason do not correct many conditions at very deep levels, even if they reduce inflammation and reduce toxic metals, for example.

OTHER NATURAL THERAPIES

In addition to a nutritional balancing program, a few other natural therapies may be useful to reduce triggers of seizures and to relax and balance the body. These include quality chiropractic, quality bodywork, relaxation, and the Roy Masters meditation only. I do not suggest combining a nutritional balancing program with chelating agents, even natural chelators, as we find them unnecessary and far less safe. They can easily upset the delicate biochemical balance because all of them remove some vital minerals along with the toxic metals. They are also all very yin in Chinese terminology. I am particularly wary of intravenous DMPS used for mercury removal. I also do not suggest combining nutritional balancing with any type of hormone replacement therapy, even bio-identical hormones. Once again, the reason is that hormone therapy is not needed, in my experience, and not as safe. Combining nutritional balancing with medical drugs is also not ideal, but can be done, if necessary. Mild seizures of the petit mal or absent type, in my view, are not serious enough to warrant the use of toxic drugs to stop them. Often, such seizures will respond to nutritional balancing, even in a person who has not responded to many other nutritional and holistic therapies.

ADDENDUM THE WORK OF JOHN SYMES

While I do not agree fully with the following, I think it is important to include it in this article, as it has some merit. Unfortunately, it only takes into account one factor for seizures, and I believe from experience that seizures can have many causes.

THE THEORY

According to Dr. John B. Symes, the author of http://www.dogtorj.net/, the causes of seizures of unknown cause include:

1)The neurostimulating amino acids glutamate and aspartate. These are non-essential amino acids, meaning that they are not required in the diet and are normally manufactured by the body from other sources. They are normally present in the brain and function as two of the primary substances involved in neurological transmission.

2) It is a known fact that MSG (monosodium glutamate) and aspartate (Nutrisweet) cause seizures in some human individuals. MSG is the amino acid glutamate (glutamic acid) while aspartame contains the amino acid aspartate (aspartic acid). These substances are specifically used for their neurostimulatory properties. MSG stimulates the taste buds thereby making them more sensitive to the foods that are passing over them. It is therefore used as a flavor enhancer. Aspartame does something similar to the taste buds while imparting a sweet taste. Both are neurostimulants and are used for that express purpose. However, both are neurotoxic in excessive quantities. This is a known fact, not a theory. They have caused seizures, migraine headaches, pain syndromes and much, much more. Aspartame has also recently been investigated in its possible role in the rise of brain tumors and Alzheimer's Disease.

3) His theory then suggests that idiopathic epilepsy (epilepsy of unknown cause) is caused by a rise in these non-essential amino acids resulting in seizures, a known side effect of these two substances. Dr. Symes then writes: The obvious question is why it occurs in some individuals and not others. A related question is why the onset of epilepsy is so variable, reportedly ranging from 6 months of age to 6 years or even older. Another question is why it is a progressive condition in most cases, starting with mild, infrequent seizures and often leading to uncontrollable daily seizures despite heavy medication. He goes on to ask why, if this were simply a genetic defect of some sort, why don't the seizures begin right away and why do they occur so sporadically in most cases. [To answer these three questions, I submit that a hair tissue mineral analysis will reveal the answers to these questions in almost all cases of

idiopathic epilepsy.]

4) Dr. Symes answers these questions by turning to the problem of gluten in the diet. While studying celiac disease, he found that celiac children with epilepsy often greatly improved once the gluten grains (wheat, barley, and rye) were removed from the diet. The fact is that MSG has been made from wheat and soy. They are obviously rich in this amino acid. The main characteristic of celiac disease is the damage that the gluten does to the duodenum, that first stretch of intestine after the stomach. The gluten coats the little absorptive villi of the gut (like "glue"), induces an immune response, and causes the destruction of those villi. This part of the bowel is responsible for absorbing calcium, iron, iodine, B vitamins, Vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, boron, chromium, zinc, and much, much more. These vitamins are essential in the formation of the enzyme systems of the body, including those of the liver and the brain that are responsible for the regulation of the levels of the amino acid glutamate. Therefore, the "theory" states that it is the progressive malabsorption syndrome taking place in the duodenum that leads to the progressive inefficiency of these enzyme systems of the body that leads to the progressive rise in the levels of glutamate (and aspartate) that leads to the progressively worsening seizures. The amino acids, Dr. Symes asserts, cause the seizures (as they have been proven to do) while the malabsorption syndrome (which has been proven to occur in people like celiacs) leads to the underlying cause of the progressive nature of the condition. While this can be true, the gluten theory does not completely explain why only some individuals are so affected, since most people eat wheat every day. It also does not explain the variability of the time of onset. This, we contend, can be somewhat explained by the other imbalances discussed in this article that may also contribute to seizure disorders.

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