The Maverick Healing Confidential Journal Volume 1

By Steven Wright © 2019 by Healthy Gut Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transformed in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other, without the prior permission of the author.

Published by:

Steven Wright

3980 Broadway St, #103-166 Boulder, CO 80304

1-888-612-5997 www.HealthyGut.com

Steven Wright wrote this report to provide information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is offered with the understanding that the publisher and the author are not liable for any misconception or misuse of the information provided. Every effort has been made to make this report as complete and accurate as possible. The purpose of this report is to educate. The author and the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this report. The information presented herein is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling or medical attention. The Maverick Healing Confidential Journal Volume 1 Index:

1. Reset Your Gut Microbiome With This “Diversity Drink” 2. The Simple Mold Test That Could Save Your Life 3. Cryotherapy Lowers Chronic Inflammation... or Does It? 4. Non-Toxic Pain Reliever Rivals Opiates 5. The Simplest 30-Day Liver Detox Protocol On The Planet 6. How to Kill the #1 Gut Infection in the World: H. Pylori 7. Myer’s Cocktail for Beating The Flu, Stress, and Long Term Health Complaints 8. 4-Week Heartburn/Ulcer Healing Protocol 9. Creatine for Better Sleep, Brain Health, and Bone Loss 10. The “Poop Right Now” Constipation Protocol 11. Reset Your Immune System and Kill Cancer Cells Every 6 Months 12. Oxygen Contrast Therapy For Better Sleep, More Energy, and Brain Power 13. Weird Stomach Acid Trick to Digest Food Better and Stop Heartburn Or GERD 14. If You’ve Ever had a Root Canal, Tooth Extraction or Dental Implant, YOU MUST GET THIS 3D Scan 15. Use Two Drops of This Ancient Oil When You’re Anxious 16. The 5-Day Diarrhea Diet 17. Metformin: Diabetes Drug Doubles As Anti-aging Breakthrough And Cancer Prevention & Treatment 18. Semax: Improved Memory, Brain Power, and Stroke Recovery 19. An Old School Natural Laxative to Relieve Constipation 20. 4 Simple Questions To Transform Any Challenge into a Breakthrough, Especially If You’re Struggling with Depression 21. The Hyperventilation Trick That Turns Off Autoimmunity 22. L-Glutamine Protocol For Healing Leaky Gut 23. 29% Reduction in Sick Time By Changing Your Shower Habits 24. Melt Stress With This Epic Epsom Salt Trick 25. Kratom: Natural Herbal Wonder or Addictive Killer? 26. Piracetam for Vertigo and Other Brain Issues 27. The 6 Supplement Stack to Stop Any Diarrhea Flare Up 28. Japanese Drug Rivals CoQ10 For Brain Health 29. The Powerful Anti-Anxiety Treatment No One Is Talking About 30. Four "Healthy" Foods That Could Be Making You Sicker 31. Use Trees to Boost Your Immune System, Fight Cancer, and Beat Disease

1. Reset Your Gut Microbiome With This “Diversity Drink” I believe the gut microbiome is one of the most critical unexplored areas of health.

At present, we know that the gut is really the 2nd brain.

Meaning that it can both “think” or “sense” and send inputs to our top brain. But also, that what happens in the brain occurs in the gut and vice versa.

Meaning "gut feeling" is very real, and it happens via communication in the body through serotonin, dopamine, and other neurochemicals. We also know that the 90% (majority) of the immune system defenses reside in and around the gut.

In short the Microbiome has Power:

The bacteria, fungus and virus that live in biofilms in our guts freely talk and communicate with our gut. And what happens in the gut then is transmitted to the brain.

So while it might seem far fetched it’s actually not totally fiction that feelings and thoughts you are having right now are in part because of the bugs living inside your microbiome.

What does the Science Say:

What we know so far is that many health conditions like IBD, TBI, Parkinson's, Breast Cancer, Heart Attack are associated with "disrupted" gut microbiome.

What this means in layman's terms is that when compared to "healthy" volunteers stool samples are compared to "the health conditions above," there are classes or bacteria that are currently considered "healthy" missing or extremely reduced.

Microbiome Unknowns:

I keep saying "healthy" because, as of 2020, the truth is that the scientific community has no idea which bacteria in what amounts is actually best for health. All we have is theories and comparative studies that show different kinds and quantities of these bugs between “healthy” and “diseased”. There are so many variables for us to understand what is optimal, including gender, race, age, and even geographic location can have an impact.

What’s the Takeaway:

What is known, based on studying tribes of people who have low incidents of chronic diseases, is that certain types of bacteria are thought to be health-promoting and so increasing them is considered a good idea.

There do seem to be certain probiotic strains and prebiotic fibers that in studies are beginning to show promise for specific health issues like IBS, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, allergies, and weight management.

However, in the meantime, by far the best thing you can do is focus on the diversity of your microbiome.

And that is best done through eating lots of fermentable plant materials. Dr. Chris Lowry is a researcher whose specialty is the gut microbiome and 'he's created a drink that is optimized to do just that.

The Microbiome Diversity Drink:

1. Get 25 raw organic plants and herbs 2. Barely wash them with some cold water 3. Take approximately 1-4 Tablespoons (eyeball it) of each plant and put into a blender 4. Blend into a smoothie 5. Put the smoothie into an airtight container like a mason jar 6. Eat a spoonful of the mixture with each meal 7. In needed freeze the extra but it should keep at least a week in the fridge (you'll smell when it starts to ferment too far)

Which each spoonful, you'll be getting a microbiome diversity explosion.

Also, Jeff Leach from the American Gut Project talks about eating at least 30 different species of plants each week and to consume 100g of fiber per day ideally. What Dr. Chris Lowry and Jeff Leach are pointing to is that the immune system seems to thrive when it's exposed to many types of plant and dirt diversity. And the microbiome does better when it's given plenty of fermentable (prebiotic) matter to eat.

Summing it up:

Some of the world's leading microbiome researchers consume 20-30 species of plant matter per week. And many of them consume extra prebiotics on top of this multi-plant rich diet.

If this is what the Renegade Researchers think is best for their health I’m putting faith in that.

2. The Simple Mold Test That Could Save Your Life

Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of people that were struggling with chronic health issues from Mold Exposure.

I’ve personally seen it destroy people’s lives.

And the scariest thing about it is: it’s really difficult to test for. It can slowly make us sick ​ for years without giving us any indication about what’s causing it.

The first challenge is that there are many different species of Mold, and each type will impact people’s health in different ways, so narrowing it down to specific symptoms is tough.

Secondly, testing for Mold inside your home can be unreliable depending on where the testing was done in the house, which rooms are affected, how long the sample was collected, what lab it was sent too, what types of Mold they actually tested for, and more.

That’s why I was blown away when I finally found out Mold was slowly destroying my brain, and I didn’t know it.

Mold Had Been Slowly Killing Me For Years It all began when my nearly photographic memory started slipping. I was only 32, and I couldn’t remember people’s names… or appointments I’d scheduled… or something my daughter asked me to do 5-minutes ago.

Then I suddenly developed a stutter out of nowhere.

I had a chronic cough that wouldn’t go away.

And one day, my Kidneys started to show signs of shutting down.

My blood work looked pretty bad, my body was fighting something, and no one could figure out what was causing it.

Even the best practitioners in the world were stumped… and we ruled out everything from Lyme Disease to Lupus.

We had no idea that I was breathing in an invisible toxin that was destroying my body from the inside out.

Mold Releases Toxins That Make Us Sick

Mold is a fungi, which can infest buildings, vehicles, and places that food is stored.

It can grow on almost any surface, especially if the environment is warm and wet.

All it needs is water and fuel (things like inner walls of buildings, wallpaper, fiberglass insulation, ceiling tiles, and gypsum support).

Once Mold is growing in an area, it produces something called “Mycotoxins” which are the most prevalent toxins in the environment.

The majority of mycotoxin exposure is through food or airborne exposure (breathing it in), causing diseases and symptoms like:

● Fever ● Pneumonia-like symptoms ● Heart Disease ● Rheumatic Disease ● Asthma ● Sinusitis ● Memory loss ● Vision loss ● Chronic fatigue ● Skin rashes ● Depression ● ADHD ● Anxiety ● Liver Damage

The more I’ve learned about Mold, the more I’ve become convinced that anyone who has mysterious health problems that haven’t been solved yet… or if they’re stuck and can’t figure why they can’t get healthy… Mold could be the problem.

Some of the research is beginning to show that up to 50% of homes could have levels of Mold that are problematic for the people living inside.

And it’s not just old homes… even the newest homes that have never been lived in can already have mold problems because of how “airtight” they were built.

If You’re Stumped, This One Mold Test Might Save Your Life

After years of struggling to find out what was still going on in my body, one of my dear practitioner friends share a new test they were using from a company called Great Plains Lab.

They had developed a new mold test that can look for 11 of the worst metabolites from Mold that make us sick (no affiliation).

It’s called: “GPL-MycoTOX Profile.” ​ ​ ​ ​

It’s a simple urine analysis that takes just a few minutes to do in the privacy of your own home.

When I got the results back, I was shocked… 10 of them were zero.

But 1 of them was sky-high.

I tested positive for a mycotoxin in my system called “Ochratoxin A,” which is a nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, and carcinogenic mycotoxin. It can lead to kidney disease and adverse neurological effects. Studies have shown that OTA can cause significant oxidative damage to multiple brain regions and the kidneys.

SMOKING GUN!

Months later, when I was finally moved out of my house and detoxing this junk from my body, I felt like a whole new man. My brain was slowly coming back, and now I understood what was really going on for all those years.

This New Mold Test Is Groundbreaking

The reason all of our amazing practitioner friends are so excited about this test is because Mold has been notoriously difficult to test for.

Meaning, it’s been really hard to test someone’s body and say, “YES, IT’S MOLD.”

Until now, this new panel from Great Plains Lab has changed the game.

And sure, it’s not perfect, but at the end of the day, if you have any of the 11 mold metabolites this test looks for in your body, they could be making you sick.

I highly recommend you ask your practitioner about ordering this test and see if Mold is secretly making you sick.

Here is the website for this mold test (no affiliation): https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/gplmycotox

3. Cryotherapy Lowers Chronic Inflammation... or Does It? Celebrities Tony Robbins and Joe Rogan, known for their high energy, say that weekly cryotherapy helps them stay healthy and energetic.

But, is this something that everyone should be doing? And, if so, how do you prioritize it into your schedule of helpful therapies?

Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) is a therapy in which cold nitrogen is pumped into a tank ​ surrounding the body with up to -110 degrees Celsius temperatures. While it is relatively new to Western countries, it has been used in Japan to treat autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis since the late 1970s.

The treatment is relatively short and straightforward. Depending on the type of chamber used, you may be given gloves, earmuffs, socks to protect sensitive skin before stepping into a cryotherapy chamber. You will feel cold but not unbearably so.

Typical treatments are 2-4 minutes in length. As the treatment becomes more readily available, costs seem to be decreasing. Some facilities charge a monthly membership fee with unlimited usage.

How does it work?

The extremely low temperature causes a response in the body that researchers believe down-regulates inflammatory markers. Truth be told no one really understands the science of how it affects the body at this time.

What does the Science Say For Arthritis:

Several studies on Rheumatoid Arthritis show a reduction in tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and possibly other inflammatory cytokines. However, for each study that shows a decrease of inflammatory cytokine IL-6, there is another one that suggests it doesn't change.

Several studies on knee osteoarthritis show mixed results on pain. However, Rheumatoid Arthritis studies show a reduction in pain.

A recent 2018 Ankylosing Spondylitis study showed that -110 whole body cryotherapy eight sessions over eight days caused a decrease in IL-8 and improvements in disease scales.

In short, it appears that WBC does reduce inflammation in chronic inflammatory conditions. However, it appears that it needs to be used often and on an on-going basis.

For Performance:

A 2014 study on Olympic kayakers used whole body cryotherapy two times a day at -120°C--145°C; 3 min for ten days straight. Many different Blood markers were taken before, during, and nine days after the last sessions took place. The authors concluded,

"Combining exercise with whole-body cryotherapy sessions may have a positive effect on the oxidant/antioxidant balance during physical effort. Possible profitable effect of combining exercise with cryotherapy could extend exercise duration or intensity, thus improving sports performance."

This 2014 study is the only one to follow up after a series of intense cryotherapy sessions. It should also be noted that the study participants were athletes preparing for a national competition and working out two times a day.

Why is the Science Mixed?

One of the biggest problems in looking into the research is the lack of standardization in the type of Cryotherapy machine (whole body or local), temperatures (-110 to -60), time of exposure (1-3 min), and the number of weekly treatments (X-X per week).

WBC has a cult following among some Renegade practitioners and anti-aging experts. The research suggests it does create therapeutic effects for the body. However, the specific mechanisms, whether results are are long term (post-treatment) or who the best candidates are is not fully understood. Like many cutting edge ideas, WBC is showing results in certain areas and is worth evaluating.

Best WBC Practices:

In general, it appears more frequent usage, and using it over many weeks or months produces better results. In other words, if you test it, try 3 or more times a week, -110 degrees or colder, for a month or more.

Cryohealth, a maker of WBC chambers says the treatment shouldn't be used by pregnant women or people with severe hypertension or heart problems. Anyone with nerve problems such as neuropathy should also use precaution before trying WBC.

Resources:

Dantas, L., Moreira, R., Norde, F., Mendes Silva Serrao, P., Alburquerque-Sendín, F., & Salvini, T. (2019, August). The effects of cryotherapy on pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30957514

Gizińska, M., Rutkowski, R., Romanowski, W., Lewandowski, J., & Straburzyńska-Lupa, A. (2015). Effects of Whole-Body Cryotherapy in comparison with other Physical Modalities used With kinesitherapy IN rheumatoid arthritis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26576422

Guillot, X., Martin, H., Seguin-Py, S., Maguin-Gaté, K., Moretto, J., Totoson, P., . . . Tordi, N. (2017, July 31). Local cryotherapy improves adjuvant-induced arthritis through down-regulation of IL-6 / IL-17 pathway but independently of TNFα. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28759646

Guillot, X., Tordi, N., Mourot, L., Demougeot, C., Dugué, B., Prati, C., & Wendling, D. (2014, February). Cryotherapy in inflammatory RHEUMATIC Diseases: A systematic review. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24345205 ​

Hirvonen, H., Mikkelsson, M., Kautiainen, H., Pohjolainen, T., & Leirisalo-Repo, M. (2006). Effectiveness of different cryotherapies on pain and disease activity in active rheumatoid arthritis. a randomized single-blinded controlled trial. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16870097

Jastrząbek, R., Straburzyńska-Lupa, A., Rutkowski, R., & Romanowski, W. (2013, August). Effects of different local cryotherapies on systemic levels of tnf-α, il-6, and clinical parameters in active rheumatoid arthritis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23397259 ​

Krueger, M., Costello, J., Achtzehn, S., Dittmar, K., & Mester, J. (2019, January). Whole-body cryotherapy (-110 °c) following high-intensity intermittent exercise does not alter hormonal, inflammatory or muscle damage biomarkers in trained males. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30031682

Straburzyńska-Lupa, A., Kasprzak, M., Romanowski, M., Kwaśniewska, A., Romanowski, W., Iskra, M., & Rutkowski, R. (2018, October 3). The effect Of Whole-Body CRYOTHERAPY at different temperatures on proinflammatory Cytokines, oxidative STRESS parameters, and disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30402204

Sutkowy, P., Augustyńska, B., Woźniak, A., & Rakowski, A. (2014). Physical exercise combined with whole-body cryotherapy in evaluating the level of lipid peroxidation products and other oxidant stress indicators in kayakers. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4016901

4. Non-Toxic Pain Reliever Rivals Opiates PEA or Palmitoylethanolamide is a little-known supplement but a powerful pain reliever.

It should be seriously considered as an alternative to normal pain medications, including opiates.

Discovered in 1957, this compound has been used for chronic and neuropathic pain since 1975. It’s gone through 30 clinical trials and tried in approximately 6,000 patients. It’s clinical trial usage, safety data and over the counter ability make it a very underutilized anti-inflammatory and pain medication.

What kinds of pain?

Some conditions that PEA may help include sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, post-shingles nerve pain, arthritis, migraines, TMJ pain, cancer-related pain, dental pain, neuropathic pain in stroke and multiple sclerosis, chronic regional pain syndrome, chronic pelvic pain, vaginal discomfort, pain after a failed back surgery… really, any type of pain.

Not all pain medications work on each type of pain. PEA is unique in that it has been tested in almost every single pain scenario and shown helpful.

So, what exactly does PEA do?

3-8 days after a nerve is injured, a bunch of mast cells rush over to the injured nerve, increasing inflammation, and then there’s increased inflammation in the spinal cord.

When you add PEA to the picture, it reduces inflammation and helps prevent the degeneration of the nerve.

It also dulls the pain. Some studies suggest it may also reduce inflammation in the brain and nervous system, which could help Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

As far as some studies, check these out:

In one double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 636 patients with sciatic pain, after 3 weeks of treatment, PEA at a dosage of 600mg daily reduced cut pain levels by 50% compared to a placebo. A 300mg daily dose helped, but was not nearly as effective as the 600mg dose.

In a 2012 Italian study of 610 patients with various types of chronic pain, 600 mg taken twice daily for 3 weeks followed by one dose daily for 4 weeks was helpful in significantly reducing pain.

About half the patients had sciatic pain, and others dealt with arthritis, post-shingles pain, diabetic neuropathy, cancer pain, pain after a failed back surgery, or mixed pain states. Some took PEA with other therapies, and some took PEA on its own. No one had a drug interaction or any side effects.

In another Italian study of 81 people, PEA was given in addition to standard pain meds (pregabalin, gabapentin, amitriptyline, duloxetine) to 41 people. The remaining 40 received just the pain meds.

PEA was given in 600mg doses twice daily for the first 21 days in the treatment group. For the remaining 30 days, they just received one 600 mg dose daily. At the end of the 51 days, the PEA-tread group had less pain than those just on the traditional pain meds.

Another study of 1,200 mg PEA/day was done in diabetics who had carpal tunnel syndrome. Twenty-five patients received PEA, and another 25 patients served as the control --without PEA treatment. Those receiving the PEA noticed a significant reduction in pain levels compared to the control group -- with no side effects.

As you can see one of the most profound aspects of PEA is that so far has not shown to have drug interactions with other pain medications. Making it a sort of wonder supplement for those in the most need.

What else can it do?

PEA might even be helpful for histamine intolerance, allergies, and mast cell disorders. Studies have shown it to be able to reduce mast cell degranulation -- deactivating them.

This has enormous implications for any type of allergenic symptoms or disorders.

The great thing about PEA is that it’s not going to create addictions, doesn’t have side effects, and is safe up to at least 100mg/kg of body weight -- up to 5,000mg for a small, 110-pound person.

So far, there haven’t been any drug interactions even though PEA has been used with other pain medications.

BONUS: Consider adding ALA

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) may be an excellent add-on to the PEA.

In a study of 98 type 1 diabetics with peripheral neuropathy, the combination of 600mg PEA and 600mg ALA sped up the rate of pain control.

How to take: Begin with 600mg min per day to start, and then double to 1200mg if it ​ doesn’t seem to be working. Or, you can begin with 1200mg a day for a loading phase of 2-4 weeks and then go down to 600mg per day. If that doesn’t seem to be working, add 600mg of ALA per day.

Resources:

Keppel Hesselink, J., & Kopsky, D. (2015, October 23). Palmitoylethanolamide, a neutraceutical, in nerve COMPRESSION syndromes: Efficacy and safety in sciatic pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4631430/ ​

Maddaloni, E., Maurizi, A., Minutolo, A., Fioriti, E., Toro, R., Naciu, M., . . . Pozzilli, P. (2018, July 01). Palmitoylethanolamide in add-on to Alpha Lipoic acid for control of symptoms of DIABETIC peripheral neuropathy. Retrieved from https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/67/Supplement_1/564-P

Partanen, T., Kauppinen, T., Hernberg, S., Nickels, J., Luukkonen, R., Hakulinen, T., & Pukkala, E. (1990, December). Formaldehyde exposure and respiratory cancer among woodworkers--an update. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2284589 ​

Schifilliti, C., Cucinotta, L., Fedele, V., Ingegnosi, C., Luca, S., & Leotta, C. (2014). Micronized palmitoylethanolamide reduces the symptoms of neuropathic pain in diabetic patients. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3996286/ ​

https://www.whria.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PEA-for-nerve-pain-and-inflammation.p df

5. The Simplest 30-Day Liver Detox Protocol On The Planet

Have you ever wondered if you should do a “cleanse” or “detox?”

Whether it be a juice fast or 3-day spa retreat, the idea of doing something, anything, to get back to a “blank slate” is incredibly appealing - whether you’re struggling with health issues or have just gained a few unwanted pounds.

But do you really need to cleanse or detox your body?

The answer is - as usual - it depends.

Your Body Cleans Itself

Here’s what the lady selling you the 12-day juice fast cleanse might not have told you - our body actually cleans and detoxifies itself (no juice needed).

All of our organs are involved in the cleansing and detoxifying process, but there are some that are especially important:

The Liver: Our liver is one of our largest organs (it weighs about 2 pounds!) and is the ​ most important detox organ. The liver has many important functions - it regulates blood composition, filters toxins out of the blood, processes the nutrients in the food we eat and manufactures cholesterol and other important enzymes and proteins.

The Kidneys: Our kidneys work day in and day out to filter our blood and produce urine. ​ This process helps keep our blood composition stable and electrolyte levels balanced.

The Lymphatic System: Our lymphatic system is a series of tubes that drains lymph fluid ​ and circulates it through the bloodstream. The lymphatic system serves several purposes - it also drains interstitial fluid and transports white blood cells, among other roles.

But, The World Is Pretty Dirty

In a perfect world, our body’s natural detox processes would be completely adequate.

Unfortunately, we live in a very polluted world where most of us are exposed to hundreds of chemicals and toxins every day, from…

● Conventional produce and factory-farmed meats ● Cosmetics ● Prescription drugs ● Processed foods ● Air and water pollution

(Not to mention the additional burden chronic stress places on all of us.)

So, even though our body is created to detox itself, because our world is so polluted, at times, we can overtax our natural detox systems. Fortunately, there are things we can do to help support our body in detox. ​

#1: Reduce Exposure To Pollutants

This one is the most obvious, but also the most important. While we can’t completely eliminate pollutants and toxins from our lives, there are easy steps we can take to reduce our exposure.

You don’t need to be perfect (trying to will only drive you crazy!). Start by swapping out the things you use the most or can most easily change. These are some of the real things our team and I do to limit exposure to pollutants:

● Replace conventional meat with grass-fed, organic meat ● Choose local, organic produce ● Swap out your most-used cosmetics for natural versions. ● Replace harsh cleaning products in your home for homemade solutions with essential oils or probiotic cleansers. ● Pay attention to the air quality in your city. Don’t exercise outdoors when the air quality is poor. ● Get a water filter for your countertop, shower, or the whole house. ● Get a high-quality indoor air filter.

#2: Sweat More

Changing what you put in your body is the most important, but helping your body get waste out is the next best way to support detox.

Sweating is one way our body detoxes. When your toxin load is too large for your kidneys and liver to handle alone, getting a good sweat can help. One study demonstrated that arsenic, lead, and other heavy metals can be excreted through sweat.

If you have access, sitting in a sauna is one of the best ways to work up a sweat. If you don’t, that doesn’t mean you can’t get sweaty - a hard workout (if you can tolerate it), a walk in the sun, or even a hot bath can all be effective ways to get sweaty, too.

#3: Keep Regular

If you’re not pooping regularly, you’re not detoxing properly - no matter how clean your diet or lifestyle is. If poop is backing up, you’re at increased risk for toxic megacolon, diverticulitis, impacted colon, and anal fissures. Plus, it means toxins and waste are literally just sitting in your body.

So, what is “regular?” You should be going at LEAST once per day (up to after every meal is normal, too). When you do go, it should be quick and effortless - and you should have a #4 on the Bristol Stool chart every time.

The Simplest 30-Day Liver Detox Protocol on the Planet

Despite everything I just listed out for you, if you’re having problems with toxicity or a sluggish liver, you need to start a liver support protocol right away. Signs and Symptoms that you need help detoxifying are…

● Seasonal Allergies ● Multiple Food Sensitivities ● Multiple Chemical Sensitivities ● Supplement sensitivities ● You tell people you are a sensitive person ● Lack of response to hormone programs ● Feeling die-off from supplements like B vitamins, NAC, Curcumin, Vitamin C, Glutathione, Milk thistle or anything else that is supposed to help with detoxification.

There are so many cleanses and massive protocols out there for detoxification… but nothing beats glutathione.

It’s one of the simplest, most effective Liver Detox protocols you can possibly do. I won’t call it a miracle because that’s cheesy, but seriously, this one supplement can change lives.

Maybe you’ve heard of it.

Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidants in the body. It is very important for liver health, DNA repair, protein synthesis, amino acid transport, and enzyme activation. In other words, it plays a major role in almost every single system in the body. But it’s especially important for GI health, brain and nerves, immune system and cellular function.

But here’s the major thing: During states of stress, disease, inflammation, and high toxicity, glutathione is typically depleted quickly.

I’ve tried 99% of the brands on the market – reduced, liposomal, other acetyl-glutathione – and not one of them ever gave me noticeable benefits. I’ve read many research studies on why the liposomal form should work, but they just didn’t for me…

Until we found this brand from Citrisafe called “Ovation S-Acetyl-Glutathione.”

That’s been the key supplement to a simple, yet crazy effective 30-day Liver Detox protocol.

I still do it myself every 6-12 months.

Test it yourself and let us know how you feel afterward:

Liver Support for Detox: Amount With With With Needed for Breakfast Lunch Dinner Protocol:

Ovation Acetyl-Glutathione 1 1 1 bottle - 300mg (60cap)

Resources: E., Margaret, et al. “Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury in Sweat: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Environmental and Public Health, Hindawi, 22 Feb. 2012, www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2012/184745/

“Ovation Acetyl-Glutathione Capsules, 300 Mg 60 Ct.” Citrisafe, www.citrisafe.com/product/ovation-acetyl-glutathione-capsules-300-mg-60-ct/

6. How to Kill the #1 Gut Infection in the World: H. Pylori

H. Pylori infects more than 50% of the world's population.

Flip a coin, and that's the probability you have it living inside your GI tract right now. There's evidence linking this infection to ulcers and stomach cancer. H. pylori is a bacteria. Its full name is Helicobacter pylori.

It was unknown until two hardcore scientists discovered it in 1982.

See, back then it was commonly believed that stomach ulcers were just a byproduct of stress. But these two Australian scientists, Barry Marshall, and Robin Warren didn't believe that.

Marshall and Warren discovered a bacteria (H. pylori) and decided to take biopsies of patients with stomach ulcers and gastritis. They formulated the hypothesis that H. pylori was actually the cause of such GI disorders.

The problem was that they needed a way to prove it. Unable to run trials on mice (H. pylori can't infect mice) and unable to get approval for human studies… Marshall infected himself with H. pylori and, after developing precursory ulcer symptoms, biopsied his stomach and found the suspected culprit. He proceeded to treat himself with antibiotics to get rid of the infection and made a full recovery.

This is where things start to get interesting. Since 1982, this infection has been studied extensively beyond stomach ulcers and gastritis… and these days it's also linked to things like:

● NSAID gastropathy (inflammation from NSAIDs) ● Gastric carcinoma (stomach cancer) ● Lymphoma (cancer/tumors in the lymphatic system)

…not to mention disorders outside of the GI tract like ischemic heart disease, ischemic cerebrovascular disorders, rosacea, Raynaud's syndrome, food allergy, Vitamin B12 deficiency, and open-angle glaucoma. It's also been noted that H. pylori infections can increase inflammation throughout the entire body.

That's a whole lot of bad stuff. So far, H. pylori has a bad reputation. The evidence gets even worse, just look at how prevalent H. pylori is in the following conditions:

● 80-100% of those with duodenal ulcers ● 70% of people with gastric ulcers

Those with low stomach acid may be at greater risk, too.

Stomach acid not only helps to digest food, but it also prevents infections. As you get older, your stomach acid levels can decrease (a condition called hypochlorhydria), and it may be why the population over 50 has a higher prevalence of infection. Not only that, but H. pylori can suppress stomach acid levels, making the cycle even worse.

According to the Textbook of Functional Medicine, low stomach acid predisposes one to the growth of H. pylori and is also linked to SIBO and inadequate Vitamin B12 absorption. It's also noted that low levels of vitamin C and vitamin E in gastric fluids promote the growth of H. pylori.

It's not looking good for this bacteria so far. Here's how to tell if you have it living inside you right now.

Signs and Symptoms You Have H. Pylori

The data suggests that 85% of people infected with H. pylori never experience symptoms, but here are a few clues this is something you might have right now:

● Burning or ache in the abdominal region – worse on an empty stomach ● Nausea ● Loss of appetite ● Burping ● Bloating ● Weight Loss

Of course, this list of symptoms could be from many different root causes, so it's important to make sure you get tested to know for sure. The following tests are ways to find out if your symptoms may be caused by H. pylori:

● Breath test (C urea) ● Serology ● Blood test for H. pylori antibodies ● Stool antigen test (like the BioHealth 401H) ● Intestinal biopsy (histology, culture, rapid urease test, PCR)

Like any modern-day medical testing, each of these has its own drawbacks with regards to how invasive it is, reliability and sensitivity, and the cost.

How Do You Kill H. Pylori?

Most doctors just treat it if there's a diagnosed ulcer, but you can still have an infection and not a diagnosable ulcer. It's a little concerning given the evidence that H. pylori infections are linked to greater chances of developing other disorders/diseases aside from stomach cancer, chronic gastritis, and ulcers.

There are some natural H. pylori remedies out there, like bismuth subcitrate, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, and mastic gum resin. But most H. pylori infections in the modern medicine setting are primarily treated with a powerful cocktail of antibiotics. It's usually a combination of antibiotics, like amoxicillin, lansoprazole, and/or clarithromycin along with an antacid regimen (usually some PPI). While this can and does work, antibiotics as a viable means for treating H. pylori may not be so effective in the future.

Plus, if you follow our work, you know that healthy gut flora is critical to a happy gut, so a heavy dose antibiotic protocol isn't going to support that. In fact, one study actually linked antibiotic eradication of H. pylori to fungal growth in the gut mucosa, which actually makes sense.

You are literally trying to destroy a bacteria, and sadly the antibiotics aren't selective for just one species of bacteria – you're taking out the good guys, too.

And that's where things get tricky.

The gut bacteria isn't so black and white. There are some bacteria that are symbiotic (they help us we help them), some that are pathogenic (they only harm us), but then there is some more middle of the road. It's currently thought that these bugs don't really help us or hurt us, depending on the circumstances.

But while evidence on specific strains of bacteria being good or bad is sorted out, what is accepted is that you want a large diversity of bacterial species in the gut. And heavy antibiotic therapy definitely reduces the number of species in the short-run and might be an issue in the long-run.

So the bottom line: if you're struggling with ulcers, gastritis, heartburn, GERD, acid reflux, ​ or other GI symptoms AND you test positive for H. pylori… it's probably a good idea to treat it.

The most common reason being: H. pylori has been shown to suppress stomach acid, which you need to fix to finally get rid of the symptoms of heartburn once and for all… Not to mention properly digest and absorb the nutrients from your food. That's why we need to kill it naturally (if possible).

Warning: The material on this handout is for informational purposes only. As each individual ​ ​ situation is unique, you should use proper discretion, in consultation with a health care practitioner, before undertaking the protocols described herein. For example, your weight can dramatically affect the dosages you need to be using for each of these protocols, and only a skilled practitioner can support you with proper supervision. THESE PROTOCOLS ​ ARE FOR PEOPLE 100LBS OR OVER. THEY NEED TO BE CUSTOMIZED. Please review ​ the herbs in these supplements and look for ingredients that might have been a problem for you in the past.

IF IT GOES BAD

We highly recommend you gradually ramp into these protocols under guidance from your practitioner by taking small amounts of the products and upping them day by day until you're taking the entire protocol. If at any point in time you have a reaction that's too great to handle, which can happen when killing bad bugs, drop down to ½ dose for 3-4 days and see how you feel. If you feel better, ramp back up slowly over another 3-4 days. If at any time you can't handle how it makes you feel, STOP the protocol completely and contact the practitioner you're working to decide the next steps.

OPTION 1: The H. Pylori Killing Protocol

60- Day H. Pylori Protocol Upon With With With Dinner Arising Breakfast Lunch Ortho Pyloricil – 60 caps 3 3

Klaire Labs Interfase Plus - 120 3 3 caps Monolaurin – 90 caps (600mg) 2 2 2

NAC - (900mg) 1 1 1

Klaire Therbiotic 1 serving 1

OPTION 2: The 30-Day H. Pylori Tea Protocol

Another option is to use Matula Tea, which is a single protocol that you drink in the morning and evening that claims to be 98% effective.

I like those odds...

We're not affiliated with this company, but we've both personally used it to kill H. Pylori infections ourselves.

The perks of this protocol are that they have a money-back guarantee if you drink it and still test positive for the infection.

You can find out more information about this 30-day tea protocol here: https://www.matulatea.com/

Resources:

Anderl, F., & Gerhard, M. (2014, September 14). Helicobacter pylori vaccination: Is there a path to protection? Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25232229 ​ ​

The key to cure | cdc ulcer. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ulcer/keytocure.htm ​ ​

Khomeriki, S. (2014). Standard therapeutic regimens in H. pylori infection leads to activation of TRANSITORY fungal flora in gastric mucus. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25518495

Patel, S., Pratap, C., Jain, A., Gulati, A., & Nath, G. (2014, September 28). Diagnosis of helicobacter pylori: What should be the gold standard? Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25278682

Testerman, T., & Morris, J. (2014, September 28). Beyond the stomach: An updated view of helicobacter pylori pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4177463/

Weintraub, P. (2010, April 08). The medical elite thought they knew what caused ulcers and stomach cancer. but they were wrong and didn't want to hear otherwise. Retrieved from http://discovermagazine.com/2010/mar/07-dr-drank-broth-gave-ulcer-solved-medical-mystery

7. Myer’s Cocktail for Beating The Flu, Stress, and Long Term Health Complaints

The Myer's Cocktail is an Intravenous micronutrient therapy (IVMT) that enthusiasts and integrative providers tout for boosting the immune system, reducing fatigue, improving seasonal allergies, and combating fibromyalgia and asthma.

The Myer's IVMT was created in the 1960s by Baltimore physician, John Myers, MD. Dr. Myers used a unique blend of intravenous vitamins and minerals in his clinic to treat a wide range of health issues. Unfortunately, Dr. Myers died in 1984 before passing on his notes or publishing any research.

Following Dr. Myer's death, another physician Dr. Alan R. Gaby took over the patient roster that had been treated with the Myer's cocktail. According to Dr. Gaby, "Over an 11-year period, approximately 15,000 injections were administered in an outpatient setting to an estimated 800-1,000 different patients.

What Does it Help? Conditions that frequently responded included asthma attacks, acute migraines, fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia, acute muscle spasm, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, and seasonal allergic rhinitis.

A small number of patients with congestive heart failure, angina, chronic urticaria, hyperthyroidism, dysmenorrhea, or other conditions were also treated with the Myer's Cocktail, and most showed marked improvement" (2002).

The original Myers cocktail formula was usually customized based on a patient's health complaints and status. However it started with a base formula.

Dr. Gaby’s Original base regimen is:

● 4 mL Magnesium chloride hexahydrate 20% (magnesium), ● 2 mL Calcium gluconate 10% (calcium), ● 1 mL each of Hydroxocobalamin 1,000 mcg/mL (B12) ● 1 mL Pyridoxine hydrochloride 100 mg/mL (B6) ● 1 mL Dexpanthenol 250 mg/mL (B5) ● 1 mL B complex 100 (B complex) ● 6 mL Vitamin C 222 mg/mL (C) ● 8 ml sterile water

Recent FDA Crackdown:

While the use of Myer's cocktail is not considered a standard of care in Western medicine, Renegade providers have used this treatment for decades. However, in 2018, the Federal Trade Commission cracked down on IV only clinics for making specific medical claims.

One such clinic, IV Bar was ordered to stop all medical claims citing a lack of scientific research for cancer, angina, cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, fibromyalgia, neurodegenerative disorders.

In my mind, this seems justifiable. While there is enormous anecdotal data, clinical trial data is still lacking.

Is there Any Scientific Studies?

The only clinical trial to date was published in March 2009. The trial consisted of 34 adults with American College of Rheumatology (ACR)-defined fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) who were randomly assigned either to treatment (weekly infusions of IVMT) or to placebo (weekly infusions of lactated Ringer's solution) for eight weeks.

They used a slightly different, and possibly stronger solution than what Dr. Gaby used.

The IVMT for the clinical trial included:

● 5 mL of magnesium chloride hexahydrate (20%) ● 3 mL of calcium gluconate (10%) ● 1 mL of hydroxocobalamin (1,000 /mL) µ ● 1 mL of pyridoxine hydrochloride (100 mg/mL) ● 1 mL of dexpanthenol (250 mg/mL) ● 1 mL of B-complex 100 containing: ● 100 mg of thiamine HCl, 2 mg of riboflavin, 2 mg of pyridoxine HCl, and 2 mg of panthenol and 100 mg of niacinamide, 2% benzyl alcohol ● 5 mL of vitamin C (500 mg/mL) ● 20 mL of sterile water.

Clinically significant improvements were noted (of a magnitude similar to other effective interventions). However, in part because of the high placebo response and the small sample size, no statistically significant differences in outcomes were seen between groups at 8 and 16 weeks.

Statistically significant within-group differences were observed in both the intervention and placebo groups, demonstrating a treatment effect for both IVMT and placebo.

At eight weeks, the IVMT group experienced significantly improved tender points, pain, depression, and quality of life directly following treatment (all p ≤ 0.02), while the placebo group only experienced significantly improved tender points (p ≤ 0.05).

NOTE: Tender points are areas of tenderness occurring in muscle, muscle-tendon ​ junction, bursa, or fat pad

Most Curiously: The treatment effects of IVMT persisted at four weeks post-intervention ​ for tender points, pain, and quality of life, while placebo effects persisted only for tender points.

Summing it Up: I think the most exciting part of the study is that the Myers cocktail group felt much better four weeks after the end of the trial vs. the placebo. There seems to something beyond a high placebo rate at play. It's worth noting that the placebo effect can act as strong medicine for healing.

According to Erik Vance. Science writer and author of Suggestible You, The Curious Science of Your Brain's Ability to Deceive, Transform, and Heal scientists showed that placebos could produce powerful, measurable experiences triggered by conscious or unconscious expectations. It seems belief and expectations can cause the brain to release powerful chemicals.

I have successfully used Myer's cocktails to decrease cold and flu symptoms and speed recovery. It has also helped me quickly recover from severe fatigue after extended bouts of travel or long work weeks. With a relatively low-cost treatment ranging from $50-175, it is worth giving it a try, just so long as you believe it is useful. Ask your integrative medical practitioner or search Myer's Cocktail IV clinics near me.

Resources:

Ali, A., Njike, V., Northrup, V., Sabina, A., Williams, A., Liberti, L., . . . Katz, D. (2009, March). Intravenous micronutrient therapy (Myers' Cocktail) for fibromyalgia: A placebo-controlled pilot study. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2894814/ ​

Gaby, A. R., MD. (2002). Intravenous Nutrient Therapy: The “Myers’ Cocktail”. Alternative Medicine ​ Review, 7(5), 389-403. Retrieved from ​ ​ ​ http://archive.foundationalmedicinereview.com/publications/7/5/389.pd

Pratt, K., ND. (2011). The Myers’ Cocktail High-dose vitamins & minerals…not a fancy drink. Retrieved from https://www.nwnaturalhealth.com/_documents/nlf11-myerscocktail.pdf ​

Vance, E. (2017). SUGGESTIBLE YOU: The curious science of your brain's ability to deceive, transform, ​ and heal. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOC. ​

8. 4-Week Heartburn/Ulcer Healing Protocol

Heartburn and GERD is a massive issue affecting the entire westernized world.

Just like Fat and Salt were inappropriately attacked and demonized, so too has stomach acid. The cause of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), acid reflux, or heartburn is rarely “high acid” alone.

And just suppressing stomach acid doesn’t actually heal the problem, and causes significant health issues per the FDA.

Studies show you’re likely to suffer significant long-term consequences when your stomach acid gets suppressed with drugs or antacids.

Heartburn and GERD Statistics:

● Americans spent $13 billion on acid stopping medications in 2009 ● Nexium alone brought in $5.1 billion — making it the second highest-selling drug in the world ● 60% of adults in the United States will experience heartburn/GERD this year, with 20-30% having weekly symptoms ● 60 Million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month ● 25 Million Americans experience daily symptoms ● More than 60 million prescriptions for GERD were filled in 2004 ● AND - the diagnosis of GERD increased by 216% between 1998 and 2005

The Risk of Untreated GERD and Heartburn

The first issue that most people are aware of is developing painful ulcers. These ulcers get bad enough that they can cause all kinds of bleeding and intense pain bad enough to keep people in bed all day.

This is the most significant short-term risk.

However, it’s the sneaky long-term risks that get me very scared.

Over time, as the reflux continues, you can develop something called Barrett’s esophagus, which then leads to Barrett’s with Dysplasia, and then finally esophageal adenocarcinoma.

In simple terms, the inflammation destroys the cells in the esophagus. Over time, they begin to stop being healthy and start having deformities and mutations, which is the beginning of cancer. Then, the cells get mutated enough to be carcinogenic.

The Risks of PPIs (short-term and long-term)

PPIs were initially only approved only for three weeks of usage… but we’ve helped people who’ve been on these things for over 20 years.

The lesser, acute side effects of PPIs range from diarrhea to headache in up to 10% of people. However, there can be some severe, acute side effects such as occasionally causing hepatic, renal, skin and bone marrow toxicity and anaphylaxis.

For those who don’t immediately stop PPIs because of the issues mentioned above, they end up putting their long-term health at a higher risk of:

● Clostridium difficile ● Campylobacter jejuni gastroenteritis ● Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) ● Pneumonia ● Mineral/vitamin deficiencies ● Bone fractures ● Cancer ● IBS ● Crohn’s disease ● Ulcerative Colitis ● And cause unwanted drug interactions (i.e., Clopidogrel)

The Heartburn/GERD Healing Protocol

IMPORTANT NOTE: This assumes you are NOT currently on a PPI. If you are, you’re ​ likely going to want to talk with your doctor about other options. BUT DO NOT JUST STOP A PPI COLD TURKEY. It’s a terrible idea - work with your doctor to properly come off of these drugs. They’re powerful, and professional guidance is advisable.

We’ve been researching and working on acid reflux issues for years ourselves and with private clients. We also consulted friends and mentors on the subject to make sure we were providing you with the most effective solutions.

In the case of heartburn, it’s incredibly complex; the amount of possible issues (variables) each person could have makes creating a one-stop solution for the market nearly impossible.

So, what we’ve done is created a first step that, if followed, we believe will help 80-95% of everyone who tries them.

Nothing is ever guaranteed in health. However, these protocols pull from the 1000’s of patients, our friends, the latest scientific research, our personal stories, and personal clients we worked with.

Heal The Stomach Lining and Ulcers With This Protocol:

4-Week Stomach With Breakfast With Lunch With Dinner Restoration Protocol

Bone Broth (Daily) 1-2 cups 1-2 cups

L-Glutamine 5 grams 5 grams 5 grams

Deglycyrrhizinated 1 pill 1 pill 1 pill Licorice

Digestive Enzymes 1 - 4 pills 1 - 4 pills 1 - 4 pills

NOTE: Once you’ve completed this step, make sure you proceed to our section on Betaine HCL and low stomach acid.

Recommended Brands:

● Source Naturals L-Glutamine Free Form Powder ● Nature’s Way DGL - Sugar-Free ● Enzymedica Digest Gold Digestive Enzymes or Healthy Gut enzymes

9. Creatine for Better Sleep, Brain Health, and Bone Loss

Creatine is the most studied supplement in the world. At this point, creatine is backed by more human research data than many FDA approved prescription drugs. It is widely considered safe for people of any age, and there is long term data on its usage.

Creatine is most widely known in the sports world because it increases strength, power output, and lean body mass.

But Most People Don’t Know: However, most people don’t know that creatine supplementation could be one of the most useful long-term supplements for anyone who wants to feel and look better.

What is Creatine? Creatine is mostly stored in the muscles as phosphocreatine and helps make ATP one of the primary energy sources in your body.

There are many types of creatine on the market. Lots of newer versions claim to have better absorption or bioavailability or other desirable factors. However, the truth is none of them have ever outperformed creatine monohydrate in actual human studies. Also, the majority of all the research is on creatine monohydrate, so this is the proven and cheapest option.

The Science of Brain Help:

Research has shown that long-term creatine supplementation can increase phosphocreatine stores as much as 10% in the brain. The increase in phosphocreatine stores is significant for all types of issues regarding brain health, including traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and cognitive decline.

July 2018 review of creatine literature concluded, “Oral creatine administration may ​ improve short-term memory and intelligence/reasoning of healthy individuals, but its effect on other cognitive domains remains unclear. Findings suggested a potential benefit for aging and stressed individuals. Since creatine is safe, future studies should include larger sample sizes. Creatine must be [further] tested on patients with dementia or cognitive impairment.”

A 2015 human test showed, “ Dietary creatine monohydrate supplementation augments neural creatine, increases corticomotor excitability, and prevents the decline of attention that occurs during severe oxygen deficit.”

The Science of Sleep Help:

It’s also been shown to support sleep by helping with sleep loss is an issue. In general, creatine offers a small but usually noticeable help for people who are under stress due to exercise, sleep loss, and possibly due to disease states.

A 2018 article stated “Preventive creatine supplementation may protect brain function in the ​ event of acute stressors, such as sleep deprivation, acute hypoxia, exhaustive exercise or mTBI (mild traumatic brain injury). Chronic reductions in brain creatine occur in several conditions. Therapeutic creatine supplementation restores brain creatine content, thus facilitating recovery of usual brain function.”

The Science for Anti-Aging:

In case you don’t know one of the most important things of aging well is preserving lean body mass. The more you have the longer you live.

April 2019 creatine literature review for aging concluded with “Accumulating evidence ​ indicates that creatine supplementation, with and without resistance training, has possible anti-sarcopenic and anti-dynapenia effects. Specifically, creatine supplementation increases aging muscle mass and strength (upper- and lower-body), possibly by influencing high-energy phosphate metabolism, muscle protein kinetics, and growth factors. Creatine supplementation has shown potential to enhance bone mineral in some but not all studies and seems to affect the activation of cells involved in both bone formation and resorption. Creatine has the potential to decrease the risk of falls experienced by aging adults, which would subsequently reduce the risk of fracture.”

Not to mention you want the strongest bones possible and it appears that taking creatine on a regular basis could stop bone loss and therefore possibly help prevent osteoporosis.

A 2019 creatine literature review said, “Potential creatine specific increases in regional bone ​ mineral density of the femur are possible but may require at least one year of creatine supplementation combined with moderate resistance training. Additional long-term clinical trials are warranted.”

How do You Use it? To supplement with it, you can do a “loading phase” of 5g 4x per day for 7-28 days if you’d like to start and then after you consume a maintenance dosage of 2-5g per day. However, plenty of other studies show that taking 2-5g per day for longer than 60 days ends up with the same amount in your body.

Its safety profile and ability to support sleep, brain, and bones makes it the cheapest anti-aging supplement on the market.

Resources:

Avgerinos, K., Spyrou, N., Bougioukas, K., & Kapogiannis, D. (2018, July 15). Effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function of healthy individuals: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6093191/ ​

Candow, D., Forbes, S., Chilibeck, P., Cornish, S., Antonio, J., & Kreider, R. (2019, April 11). Effectiveness of creatine supplementation on AGING muscle and Bone: Focus on Falls prevention and inflammation. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6518405/ ​

Dworak, M., Kim, T., Mccarley, R., & Basheer, R. (2017, June). Creatine supplementation reduces sleep need and homeostatic sleep pressure in rats. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28397310

McMorris, T., Harris, R., Swain, J., Corbett, J., Collard, K., Dyson, R., . . . Draper, N. (2006, March). Effect of creatine supplementation and sleep deprivation, with mild exercise, on cognitive and psychomotor performance, mood state, and plasma concentrations of catecholamines and cortisol. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16416332 ​

Pillsbury, L., Erdman, J., & Oria, M. (2011). Creatine. In Nutrition and traumatic brain injury: improving ​ acute and subacute health outcomes in military personnel. National Academies Press. ​ doi:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209321 ​

Potter, G. (2018, August 06). Creatine and sleep: Does creatine make you sleep less? Retrieved from https://blog.humanos.me/is-there-a-supplement-that-reduces-how-much-sleep-you-need/

Riesberg, L., Weed, S., McDonald, T., Eckerson, J., & Drescher, K. (2016, August). Beyond muscles: The untapped potential of creatine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4915971/ Stares, A., & Bains, M. (2019, February 8). The additive effects of creatine supplementation and exercise training in an aging population: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30762623 ​

Turner, C., Byblow, W., & Gant, N. (2015, January 28). Creatine supplementation ENHANCES Corticomotor EXCITABILITY and cognitive performance during oxygen deprivation. Retrieved from https://www.jneurosci.org/content/35/4/1773

Wilkinson, T., Lemmey, A., Jones, J., Sheikh, F., Ahmad, Y., Chitale, S., . . . O'brien, T. (2016, May 26). Can creatine supplementation improve body composition and objective physical function in rheumatoid arthritis patients? A randomized controlled trial - wilkinson - 2016 - arthritis care & research - wiley online library. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/acr.22747

Eimear Dolan, Bruno Gualano & Eric S. Rawson (2019) Beyond muscle: the effects of creatine supplementation on brain creatine, cognitive processing, and traumatic brain injury, European Journal of Sport Science, 19:1, 1-14, DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1500644 ​

10. The “Poop Right Now” Constipation Protocol

Constipation is Big Deal

75% of Americans have Hemorrhoids, and the research clearly links constipation to the following much more serious medical issues:

● Toxic Megacolon ● Impacted Stool ● Diverticulitis ● Anal fissures

Not to mention constipation increases recirculation of toxins and waste products back into the body.

It’s something to focus on and get handled in your life.

There are many different “Causes of Constipation.”

Some of the causes of constipation, such as prescription drug usage for other known health issues, are unavoidable in the short-term. If you can avoid the list of triggers below, great, but if not… do your best using the rest of the material from this program to keep regular bowel habits.

● Inflammatory foods (grains, industrial seed oils, table sugar, etc.) ● Eating a diet that contains too few “fermentable foods,” not enough healthy fats, or not enough “safe starches” such as sweet potatoes, yams, etc. ● Emotional stress ● Poor pooping habits (such as holding a bowel movement too long) ● Hormone issues (poor thyroid function, hormonal imbalance, adrenal fatigue, etc.) ● A gut infection is present ● Your body is Toxic (heavy metals, inadequate liver function, etc.) ● Neurotransmitter overexpression/under expression in the gut ● Lack of moving your body daily (yoga, walking, etc.) ● Chronic use of opioid painkillers and muscle relaxant medications ● Chronic use of PPI’s and other antacids ● Chronic use of Antidepressant medications ● Chronic use of Antihistamines ● Calcium and iron supplements ● Use of diuretic-based prescription drugs

Please note, it is possible to have nerve damage from trauma, birth defects, and degenerative diseases like diabetes that can inhibit the muscle contractions needed for defecation. That’s when it becomes essential to work with a skilled practitioner.

Fixing Your Constipation - The Intervention ​ ​

The Intervention Phase is all about creating ideal bowel movements when environmental factors will not. The ideas and products contained in this phase are designed to be non-habit forming, non-toxic, and when possible… actually, improve your health while helping you get your bowel movements headed in the right direction.

THE POOP TODAY PROTOCOL

Short Term Pooping Protocol: With With With Dinner Brands Breakfast Lunch

Sunfiber 1 scoop 1 scoop Sunfiber (7 gram) (7 grams)

Magnesium Glycinate 150mg – 150mg – PURE 600mg 600mg

Magnesium Citrate ½ - 3 Natural servings Calm

Vitamin C w/ BioFlavinoids – 1 1 1 Numedica 1000mg

Resources:

Wright, Steven. “How to Supplement with Betaine HCL for Low Stomach Acid.” Healthy Gut Company, 8 Jan. 2019, http://healthygut.com/2012/03/how-to-supplement-with-betaine-hcl-for-low-stomach-acid/

Zagaria, Mary Ann E. “Preemptive Treatment of Constipation When Opioids Are Initiated.” U.S. Pharmacist – The Leading Journal in Pharmacy, 20 Jan. 2012, www.uspharmacist.com/content/d/senior%20care/c/32011/

11. Reset Your Immune System and Kill Cancer Cells Every 6 Months Hippocrates said, "Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food. But to ​ ​ eat when you are sick is to feed your sickness." ​

Fasting is a time tested and ancient tradition dating back thousands of years. And recent research indicates that it can kill cancer cells and boost immunity.

Breakthrough Study:

In 2014, the University of Southern California scientists published a study in the Cell Journal concluding that fasting for three days can have a significant improvement in your body's health.

Dr. Valter Longo, one of the world's leading fasting researchers, says, "When you starve, the ​ system tries to save energy. One of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those [cells] that may be damaged."

The study was conducted on mice and humans who were getting chemotherapy, and they noticed a significant improvement in their health. The fasts were up to 120 hrs or about three days. The study summarized the effects as:

● Prolonged fasting downregulates the IGF-1/PKA pathway in stem cells ● Prolonged fasting cycles promote HSC self-renewal to reverse immunosuppression ● Inhibition of IGF-1 or PKA signaling mimics the effects of prolonged fasting

Such news isn't surprising to many Renegade practitioners who've been using fasting for decades to work with all kinds of complex diseases.

However, it does run counter to the very mainstream advice and belief system that food must be consumed to heal.

Does it Work for Chronic Issues:

One of the most important things anyone who is battling a chronic condition can do is to stop consuming calories. Fasting gives the digestive system a break and forces the body to recycle and reprioritize other actions.

A quick internet search is all you need to find the many stories of patients who do water fasting and have odd, weird, and miracle breakthroughs. Now science is catching up.

Treating Cancer:

Many leading Renegades now have their patients fast before and after their cancer treatments due to the recent studies showing how it helps.

According to a 2019 Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research article, "Growing preclinical evidence shows that short-term fasting (STF) protects from toxicity while enhancing the efficacy of a variety of chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of various tumor types. STF reinforces stress resistance of healthy cells, while tumor cells become even more sensitive to toxins, perhaps through shortage of nutrients to satisfy their needs in the context of high proliferation rates and/or loss of flexibility to respond to extreme circumstances."

"A small pilot study comprising of 10 patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, esophageal or lung cancer in advanced stages suggested that periods of intermittent fasting, before and after chemotherapy, reduces the self-reported side effects of therapy, especially those associated with the gastrointestinal system, as well as weakness and fatigue. Additionally, no negative effect on the chemotherapy response or persistent weight loss was observed"

Forcing Only the Strong to Survive:

Dr. Longo continues, "Basically, when you fast for a prolonged amount of time, your body uses the stored glucose, fats and produces ketone bodies that are especially good for your brain, to keep you going and you flush out anything that your body doesn't need, like damaged cells and toxins. When your eating regularly harmful toxins in the body can attach themselves to these fats and live on, but when you fast, your body is forced to lighten itself. It's like the survival of the fittest, only the strong survive."

Preventing Cancer:

But the Renegades at the even farther fronts of medicine are beginning to believe that short term fasting 5-10 days, in this case, could be cancer-protective. And the reason has to do with how fasting increases and encourages what's called Autophagy.

A 2018 research paper went on to say, "Autophagy is a conserved lysosomal degradation pathway for the intracellular recycling of macromolecules and clearance of damaged organelles and misfolded proteins to ensure cellular homeostasis. Dysfunctional Autophagy contributes to many diseases, including cancer."

In real people terms, Autophagy is doing a deep spring cleaning on all the parts of a cell. If too many parts of the cell are damaged, then the whole cell can be triggered into death called apoptosis. Cancer cells do not do this. Cancer is damaged cells that never turn on the cleaning and apoptosis cycle.

And this is why many leading-edge Renegades, and their top patients, fast for 5-10 days every 180 days.

Fasting for Autoimmune Remission:

There are many types of fasting, including bone-broth, water, Prolon, protein, etc. And there are many lengths from 24hrs up to months.

Dr. Longo’s FMD studies say, "Here, we show that periodic 3-day cycles of a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) are effective in ameliorating demyelination and symptoms in a murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. The FMD reduced clinical severity in all mice, and completely reversed symptoms in 20% of the animals."

Even more encouraging are the published case reports from Dr. Joel Fuhrman demonstrated that patients who water fasted 1-3 weeks saw autoimmune disorders go into full remission.

How to Start:

If you've never fasted before, try to fast from one to dinner to the next dinner. This method, known as Eat Stop Eat, was developed by researcher Brad Pilon and is a great starting spot. Only consume water, unsweetened tea, or coffee in between the meals.

After this work up to a 3 day fast and then keep building your capacity.

Fasting is actually more mental and emotional than it is physical but it is a good idea to check with your doctor before you start especially if you are on any medications.

Fasting, as described in these studies, offers promise to aid in cancer treatment and boost immunity. It is definitely worth investigating for yourself!

Resources:

Antunes, F., Erustes, A., Costa, A., Nascimento, A., Bincoletto, C., Ureshino, R., . . . Smaili, S. (2018, December 10). Autophagy and intermittent fasting: The connection for cancer therapy? Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6257056/ ​

Cheng, C., Adams, G., Perin, L., Wei, M., Zhou, X., Lam, B., . . . Longo, V. (2016). Prolonged fasting Reduces IGF-1/PKA to Promote Hematopoietic-Stem-Cell-Based regeneration and Reverse Immunosuppression. Cell Stem Cell, 18(2), 291-292. doi:10.1016/j.stem.2016.01.018 ​ ​ ​ ​

Choi, I., Lee, C., & Longo, V. (2017, November 5). Nutrition and fasting mimicking diets in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases and immunosenescence. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5862044/

Choi, I., Piccio, L., Childress, P., Bollman, B., Ghosh, A., Brandhorst, S., . . . Longo, V. (2016, June 7). A diet mimicking fasting promotes regeneration and reduces autoimmunity and multiple sclerosis symptoms. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4899145/ De Groot, S., Pijl, H., Van der Hoeven, J., & Kroep, J. (2019, May 22). Effects of short-term fasting on cancer treatment. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6530042/ ​

Furhmann, J., MD, Sarter, B., & Calarro, D. J. (2001). Brief Case Reports of Medically Supervised, Water-Only Fasting Associated with Remission of Autoimmune Disease. Alternative Therapies, 8(4), ​ ​ ​ ​ 1-3.

Lee, C., Raffaghello, L., Brandhorst, S., Safdie, F., Bianchi, G., Martin-Montalvo, A., . . . Longo, V. (2012, March 7). Fasting cycles retard growth of tumors and sensitize a range of cancer cell types to chemotherapy. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22323820 ​

Raffaghello, L., Safdie, F., Bianchi, G., Dorff, T., Fontana, L., & Longo, V. (2010, November 15). Fasting and differential chemotherapy protection in patients. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048045/

Safdie, F., Dorff, T., Quinn, D., Fontana, L., Wei, M., Lee, C., . . . Longo, V. (2009, December 31). Fasting and cancer treatment in humans: A case series report. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2815756/

Shingler, E. (2018). Short term water-only fasting prior to chemotherapy trial (swift). Http://isrctn.com/. doi:10.1186/isrctn17994717 ​

Sol, M. (2018, November 21). Fasting for 72 hours can reset your entire immune system. Retrieved from http://thesource.com/2018/11/21/fasting-for-72-hours-can-reset-your-entire-immune-system/

12. Oxygen Contrast Therapy For Better Sleep, More Energy, and Brain Power

Oxygen Multistep Therapy (OMST) was developed by German physician Dr. Manfred Von Ardennein the 1970s to increase the utilization of oxygen while improving endothelial cell dysfunction and reducing endothelial cell adhesion.

It appears that at some point Dr. Von Ardennein trained some of US doctors who then switched the name as they adopted Dr. Von Ardennein’s quick protocol. The new name that is most used is called Exercise With Oxygen Therapy (EWOT).

Dr. Von Ardennein wrote a book on it “Oxygen Multistep Therapy” it was published in 2000. Much of what follows comes from that, the few scientific papers and studies available.

In general, Hyperbaric is oxygen under pressure, so it pushes it into cells. EWOT is oxygen under “system load,” so it is pulled into cells. OMST is a version of oxygen pull therapy usually done without “system load.”

My experience of oxygen pull therapies has always been under exercise load. And the rest of this section will be about loaded oxygen therapy that I’m going to refer to as EWOT.

How does EWOT work:

EWOT is breathing high levels of oxygen while exercising. The higher oxygen level in the lungs creates pressure to drive oxygen into the pulmonary capillaries.

“Initially, the oxygen pressure in the veins rises, as more oxygen is getting through to the venous side, but it is this oxygen that allows the capillaries to repair the transfer mechanism. Once the mechanism is fixed, more oxygen can diffuse through the capillary wall to oxygen-thirsty tissues.”

“Exercising while breathing high flow rates of oxygen, arterial pressure and cellular oxygen regulating mechanism occurs that von Ardenne refers to as a “switching mechanism” at the microcirculation level and greatly increases the amount of oxygen delivered to cells.”

After I do an EWOT session even an easy one I feel like I can breathe and think so much better. And it really does feel like parts of my body end up with more blood flow than they normally get.

How do I Do it?

The original multi-step therapy consists of an 18-day, 36-hour program.

“First, a drug-nutrient combination is orally administered 30 minutes before the exercise starts. The combination consists of 30 mg of thiamin (vitamin B1), 75 mg of Dipyridamol (the prescription drug Persantine), and 100 mg of magnesium orotate. These agents help the uptake and utilization of oxygen. Thirty minutes after taking the combination, you begin exercising while breathing oxygen using a mask and storage balloon at a flow rate of four to six liters per minute. This plan lasts two hours each day for 18 days, giving you a total of 36 hours of therapy time. Every 20 minutes during the two-hour treatment period, the individual pushes the exercise to a comfortable maximum, which enhances cardiac output and oxygen delivery to the needy areas. This procedure is probably best supervised by a doctor, though this is not entirely necessary.”

However, later Manfred von Ardenne and others started using higher concentrations and flows of oxygen, which allowed them to use a quick technique which basically became EWOT.

The Dr. Von Ardenne EWOT protocol uses the same procedure (including the drug-nutrient combination), but instead of two hours, you do moderate aerobic exercise for only 15 minutes while breathing pure oxygen at 10 liters per minute.

However, US based companies who’ve largely popularized the work here don’t use the drug-nutrient combo. Also most of their protocols are of varying levels of exercise intensity. High-level athletes do full sprint intervals, but recent heart surgery patients only slightly elevating their heart rates to 110 beats per minute.

More Clinical Studies Show:

A 1989 Human study concluded resulting in an increase in the short-term memory capacity by 19-23% (in two experimental groups). The short-term memory itself was, however, not improved as compared to the controls.

Moreover, the times needed for the accomplishment of perception, interference and reaction tests became significantly shorter by 12-18%

A 1991 Study on Sudden Hearing Loss 28 patients all improved the worst improvement was 30% 15 db, but many had spontaneous reversals.

Several papers were published about EWOT helping to cure or beat cancer; however the data was never repeated, and the research seems to have stopped and instead been pushed towards hyperbaric oxygen chambers now instead of EWOT.

According to the creator Manfred von Ardenne, it does the following:

● Reduction of susceptibility to disease ● Cancer and cancer relapse prophylaxis (stabilization of immunodefense) ● Increase of general circulation stability ● Conditioning before predictable intensive physical or psychical stress(operations, delivery, several hours of artistic, political or sporting events) ● Conditioning after intense stress to minimize the aftermaths (danger of heart attack also in younger years, fatigue, breathing difficulty, reduction in vitality, and so on) ● Increase of mechanical performance reserve strongly reduced at ripe old age and therefore increase of individual expectation of life (reduction of the “biologic age” by average ten years) ● Amelioration of degenerative phenomenon’s in the eye area ● Reduction of frequency of angina-pectoris attacks by the support of perfusion of coronary vessels in coronary heart disease ● Strengthening of inspiratory muscles in pulmonary emphysema ● Amelioration of bronchial asthma and shortness of breath ● Influence on certain liver diseases, support of detoxifying function of liver at toxic load ● Combating circulatory disorders in extremities (intermittent claudication, prevention of amputations) ● Reduction of frequency and severity of migraine attacks ● Acceleration of wound healing/contribution to renormalizing low blood pressure ● Acceleration of rehabilitation after serious illness (after a heart attack, operation, infection, intoxication) ● Reduction of side effects and increase of the main effect of drugs ● Amelioration of toxic side effects of conventional cancer therapies (operation, radiation, and chemotherapy) ● Increasing performance reserve reduced by a lack of exercise after serious illnesses (especially such as paralysis, arthritis, rheumatism and nursing cases)

In general, EWOT may likely help in many of the same conditions as Hyperbaric oxygen, but there is less research to support this.

And as mentioned, it works in a pull vs. push method, meaning it’s likely to have different effects. However the degree of the difference or if one is better than the other, is something that may never be worked out.

Personally, I bought an EWOT machine from Live 02 company because of its adaptive contrast settings. I can use EWOT to approximate what it’s like to hike at 10,000 feet and above. Theoretically, this approach helps my body with oxygen usage at altitude and protects me from altitude sickness.

I also did some of their brain protocols to help me think and sleep better. Also, during this time period I did some hyperbaric chamber work. Both of them helped me and I do believe they helped me in different ways as odd as that is to say. I can’t say one is better than the other.

A 20-minute EWOT protocol workout leaves me feeling much more invigorated, energized, and focused than the same exercise sans oxygen. To experience EWOT for yourself, consider a visit to Live O2 site or find a practitioner who has a system inhouse.

Resources:

Definitive Guide to EWOT. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://physiotherapyaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/EWOT-Guide-LiveO2-1.pdf

Milner, M., ND, & Redding, J., ND. (2014, May). Oxygen Multistep Therapy Enhancing Intracellular Oxygen: A Case Study. Retrieved from https://cnmwellness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OMST-Reprint-Townsend-May-2014.pdf

Oxygen multistep therapy (o2mt). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://med.ardenne.de/?therapien=oxygen-multistep-therapy&lang=en

Rowan, R., MD. (n.d.). Multistep Oxygen Therapy (EWOT) - The Best Ant-Aging Gift You Can Give Your Body. Retrieved from http://www.biomaxx-holding.com/PDF/Oxygen-Multistep-Therapy.pdf Von Ardenne, M. (1985, May). Fundamentals of combating cancer metastasis by oxygen multistep immunostimulation processes. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3892251

Von Ardenne, M. (1986, January 1). Use of hyperthermia in a RAPID O2 multistep process with Significant shortening of the rehabilitation period and persistent increase in the O2 STATUS. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3953118

Von Ardenne, M. (1986). Hypotheses: The adaptation of cancer strategy to progress in TUMOR immunology. general cancer prevention, METASTASIS prevention and the combination of Classical cancer therapies with O2 multistep Immunostimulation. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3548643

Von Ardenne, M. (1990). Oxygen multistep therapy: Physiological and technical foundations. Thieme. ​ ​

Von Ardenne, M., & Klemm, W. (1989). Increasing mental performance by multistep oxygen therapy. computer-assisted measurements of information processing capacity, intelligence, short-term memory and further parameters of cerebral performance. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2711706

Wolf, O., & Hanson, J. (1991, September). Results of multistep oxygen therapy in the treatment of sudden hearing loss. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1930489

https://buteykoclinic.com/wp-content/themes/kingdomvision-v1-12/docs/restrict.php?file=Anti-In flamatory-Oxygen-Therapy-Dr-Mark-Sircus-1.pdf

13. Weird Stomach Acid Trick to Digest Food Better and Stop Heartburn Or GERD

If you’re having symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, burping, gas, bloating, or nausea after eating, then it’s very likely that you have a stomach acid issue.

People diagnosed with gastrointestinal issues, especially inflammatory bowel diseases, Celiac Disease or IBS, are at a higher risk of having stomach acid problems. If you’ve made several diet and lifestyle changes and you’re still not seeing the results you want, low stomach acid might be holding you back.

Hypochlorhydria, or low stomach acid, is a commonly overlooked problem that is linked to other diseases like stomach cancer, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Why Low Stomach Acid Is a Problem:

1. Proper levels of stomach acid are needed to adequately absorb many nutrients, including minerals (iron, copper, zinc, and calcium), vitamin B12, folic acid, and proteins. 2. Stomach acid is also a crucial part of the immune system. The acid barrier of the stomach during normal states of health easily and quickly kills bacteria and other bugs that enter the body. It also prevents bacteria in the intestines from migrating up and colonizing the stomach.

Here Are 3 RED FLAGS That You Have Low Stomach Acid (And Need to do Something About It)

(1) You Don’t Feel Good When You Eat Meat

Here’s a typical scenario:

Mary is very in tune with her body. For as long as she can remember, she doesn’t like to eat red meat or large amounts of any meat. When pressed about it, she responds with “I just don’t like meat, never have. I don’t like how it makes me feel.”

I think she’s totally justified and validated in her feelings. I BELIEVE she feels bad, sluggish or nauseous when she eats a large portion of meat.

And the reason is that she doesn’t have the ability to digest it.

She needs more stomach acid to break down the protein structures properly. And without it, red, white or any kind of meat will probably make her feel worse than when she eats other types of foods that contain less protein.

(2) You Experience Frequent Heartburn After Eating

This is an especially paradoxical pattern to experience. On the one hand, you have stomach acid reaching unprotected areas of the esophagus, causing burning pain.

Then, if you take an antacid, the pain usually goes away.

In this case, it’s easy to assume that high stomach acid levels cause heartburn or GERD.

But that is simply untrue.

The modern media and drug marketing campaigns have brainwashed us to believe that acid reflux, or GERD, is due to high stomach acid levels. This is nothing more than propaganda from people who make money when you believe their message.

In 2009, there were 110 million prescriptions filled for acid-suppressing drugs!

Would Mother Nature create a situation in which almost 1 out of 3 people created too much acid to be healthy?

I don’t think so.

A leading theory of GERD goes like this. Insufficient stomach acid leads to a host of conditions that encourage the increase in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP).

When IAP increases, it pushes against the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

When the LES opens because of the pressure and even a microscopic amount of acid touches the inside of your esophagus, it can produce large amounts of pain and burning. This is because the esophagus is not protected like the stomach from high acid levels.

No one needs to suffer from acid reflux or GERD.

(3) You Burp, Fart, or Get Bloated After Eating

After eating a meal, do you experience any of the following symptoms?

● Several burps shortly after finishing or burps later that taste and smell bad? ● Experience gas 1-2 hours after eating? ● Do you get bloated after eating that lasts for a few hours? ● A heavy feeling in your stomach – like your food just sits there fermenting?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, it’s likely that you are suffering from low stomach acid levels and this weird trick will likely change your life.

Did you know stomach acid is actually good for you?

Dr. Jonathan Wright wrote a whole book on the topic because he felt it was so important for overall health. In fact, most people I talk with who think they have high acid levels actually have low acid levels. This is why it is so important to test and find out for sure.

Proper stomach acid production is vital to unlocking perfect digestion.

The digestive process downstream from the stomach is controlled chiefly by pH changes. When the food (chyme) in your stomach reaches a pH of about 2-4, the valve at the bottom of the stomach (pyloric sphincter) starts to release the stomach contents into the duodenum slowly. From here, the pH raises up and down as it travels through the intestines and out the other end.

If the pH is wrong from the beginning, everything downstream from the small intestine to the large intestine will likely be compromised. Think of it like this: chewing your food is the first crucial step to perfect digestion and stomach acid is the next most important. Low stomach acid can cause diarrhea just as fast as it can cause constipation so don’t think that it’s only confined to one or the other. If you have any digestive problems at all, this is one problem you must rule out or you may never unlock total health.

Testing For Low Stomach Acid

The gold standard medical test for low stomach acid available right now is called “The Heidelberg Stomach Acid Test.” This test is the most costly of the bunch, but it will give you exact, non-biased results you need to analyze your stomach acid. It usually costs around $350, and unfortunately, most insurance plans won’t cover it. But always call ahead because prices change, and so does insurance coverage.

The Heidelberg test works by using a small capsule with a radio transmitter that records the pH of your stomach as you drink a solution of Sodium Bicarbonate. The result of the test is a graph showing your pH levels at regular intervals of time. It really doesn’t get any more descriptive than this. Plus, there have been more than 140 scientific studies to back it up.

Upon conclusion of the test, you’ll have a graph showing your specific stomach response to the challenge solution. From this test, the doctor can determine if you have any forms of hypochlorhydria, hyperchlorhydria, or achlorhydria. This is the best test for all stomach acid-related problems.

The Baking Soda Stomach Acid Test

This test works by drinking baking soda and creating a chemical reaction in your stomach between the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and hydrochloric acid (HCL). The result is carbon dioxide gas that causes burping. Ingesting baking soda is an old school natural home remedy for upset stomachs. This test will only cost you about $3 if you need to buy a new box of baking soda. Many people choose to try this test first because it’s very safe, low cost and you can get started tomorrow if it is in the cupboard.

But, there are problems with this test.

Overall, there are a lot of variables to control.

Trying to minimize all the variables can be tough, and I would recommend performing the test 3 consecutive mornings to find an average. By doing this, you’re looking for more of a pattern than a one time test of “yes” or “no.” Also, to increase the accuracy of the test, you must do it as soon as you wake up in the morning before putting anything in your mouth.

For the record, I’m unaware of any scientific studies that prove this method of stomach acid testing is either reliable or accurate. The results of this test can vary widely, and it’s up to your interpretation, both of which are not ideal.

Here’s the Quick, at Home Way to See if You Have Low Stomach Acid

1. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 4-6 ounces of cold water first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything. 2. Drink the baking soda solution. 3. Time how long it takes you to belch. Time up to five minutes.

If you have not belched within five minutes, stop timing.

In theory, if your stomach is producing adequate amounts of stomach acid, you’ll likely belch within two to three minutes. Early and repeated belching may be due to excessive stomach acid (but don’t confuse these burps with small little burps from swallowing air when drinking the solution).

Any belching after 3 minutes indicates a low acid level.

Because the time frames can vary person-to-person, as well as how they drink the solution, this test is only a good indicator that you might want to do more testing to determine your stomach acid.

This test is not accurate enough to rule out low stomach acid.

To rule out low stomach acid, you will need to try the Heidelberg test or Betaine HCL challenge test.

Betaine HCL Challenge Test for Low Stomach Acid

The most reliable test you can perform at home is the Betaine HCL challenge test. In fact, if you do enough searching on the web, you’ll find several health websites who will try to sell you a kit to perform the steps below (don’t fall for this, duh). This test can be safely performed if you follow the directions below. It will cost you around $20 to do this test.

Note: NSAIDs and Corticosteroids increase the chances of ulcers in the stomach and, ​ together with Betaine HCL, increase the risk of gastritis. Consult a physician before trying this test or supplementing.

Each case of low stomach acid is unique and will require a custom dosage of HCL. But one way you can find out if you have low stomach acid is by using Betaine HCL supplements. Dr. Jonathan Wright suggests using (1) 650mg or less pill that includes pepsin.

To Perform the Test, Do the Following:

1. Buy some Betaine HCL with pepsin 2. Eat a high protein meal of at least 6 ounces of meat 3. In the middle of the meal, take 1 Betaine HCL pill 4. Finish your meal as normal and pay attention to your body

There are really only 2 outcomes from this test:

1. The first is that you won’t notice anything. As you go about your normal life after the meal, nothing will change. This means it is very likely that you have low stomach acid levels. 2. If, as you go about your normal life, you start to feel stomach distress characterized as heaviness, burning, or warmness – then these are signs that you don’t have low acid levels.

This test isn’t completely foolproof either and should be repeated at least one more time on a different day to confirm the first test. One of the biggest causes of false test results is the amount of protein eaten at the meal, so make sure to eat a chunk of meat with the test. If you do get some burning, don’t worry, it will pass in about an hour. You can also mix up a ½ teaspoon of baking soda and drink it to help stop the discomfort.

After getting 2 positive tests, it is time to start supplementing with Betaine HCL to get your stomach acid levels where they need to be for good digestion.

If You Have Low Stomach Acid, Try This Weird Trick to Fix It

If you do find out you have low stomach acid, the prescription is pretty simple. In the short-term, you need to supplement your acid levels to allow the rest of the digestive process to work properly.

Natural supplement options include apple cider vinegar and digestive bitters. But most people will usually need to supplement with Betaine HCL as a replacement for the low acid. It is thought that Betaine HCL will retrain your stomach to get to the correct pH levels over time. What is known is it will allow your digestion to work correctly in the interim.

If you have low stomach acid and you don’t fix it, you’ll have subpar health forever.

The first step is to replace the lost stomach acid until you figure out the root cause. One of ​ the most common methods of supplementing for low stomach acid is using Betaine Hydrochloride (HCL). ​

Betaine HCL increases the level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach necessary for proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients from food. Normal levels of hydrochloric acid are required for complete digestion of proteins and the absorption of amino acids. It’s also required for the extraction of vitamin B12 from our food. Betaine HCL helps to restore the proper acid levels in the stomach and maintain healthy GI function.

In case you didn’t know, stomach acid is a key component of our immune system needed ​ to kill off any potential pathogenic bugs in our food. If the acid levels aren’t strong enough, besides not properly sterilizing our food, the stomach could delay emptying, which can cause a multitude of digestive problems.

Before Trying Betaine HCL, Read This:

It’s important to understand the risks of Betaine HCL supplementation. It’s generally safe for most people. However, in the book “Why Stomach Acid is Good For You,” Dr. Wright recommends doing so under the guidance of a physician. No, seriously… it’s a good idea to find someone qualified to watch over your health and decisions. Your health isn’t a game, so get the right help.

People that are “high risk” shouldn’t take Betaine HCL without supervision. You’re high risk if you’re consuming any anti-inflammatory medicines. Examples of those are corticosteroids, aspirin, Indocin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or other NSAIDs. These drugs can damage the GI lining and supplementing with HCL could aggravate it, increasing the risks of bleeding or ulcer.

Okay, red tape and warnings aside – you can do this safely, and it will help your health tremendously when you correct low stomach acid levels. Did you know your stomach wall is about 5mm thick? And did you know the stomach is built with ridges on the inside that act like a rock crusher as it pulverizes your food?

I tell you this because I want you to know that your stomach isn’t some namby-pamby organ, it’s a beast that can easily handle extreme acid levels. The amazing part is, if this acid got out of the stomach, it could burn right through every other cell in the body. Our stomachs were built to create and contain acid and making short work of what we eat. Supplementing with Betaine HCL will help it work like it was designed because every ​ meal you eat with low acid it has to work harder than it should.

How to Figure Out How Much Betaine HCL You Need

Each person will have a specific supplementary HCL dosage. Unfortunately, there isn’t a special formula I can give you to figure it out. This is a case of trial and error until you get to the correct dosage. Failing to get to your correct dosage can remove the benefits of supplementing.

You must find the right dosage for your situation. If you fail to do the trial and error, you’re wasting your time and money.

This is a very common problem we see with our readers. Remember, the stomach is purposely built to handle extreme acid environments. If your correct dosage is 2400mg and you’re only taking 1200mg, you’re not really doing your stomach any favors. You must follow the process below to figure out the right dosage to get the maximum benefit.

1. Eat a meal that contains at least 15-20grams of protein (about 4-6ounces of meat). 2. Start by taking 1 pill (650mg or less) of Betaine HCL during the beginning of the meal. 3. Finish the meal as normal and observe your body for any changes in feeling associated with the stomach and belly button area. Things to look for: heaviness, hotness, burning, or other GI distress. 4. Stay at this dosage of 1 pill for another day of meals with protein and if you don’t notice anything on the 3rd day, try 2 pills. 5. Stay there for another day and then try 3 pills. 6. Keep increasing the number of pills taken with each meal until you notice some GI discomfort described in step #3. 7. When this happens, you will know your ideal Betaine HCL dosage is 1 pill less. For example, if you felt discomfort when going from 5 pills to 6 pills, then 5 pills is your proper dosage for a normal meal.

IMPORTANT NOTES: – If you eat a snack or a meal without much protein, you won’t need as much Betaine HCL (for a small snack like a piece of fruit you won’t need any at all) – When you experience the GI discomfort finding your correct dosage, you can mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda in 8oz of water and drink it to help lessen the pain. – Dr. Wright notes in his book that “paradoxically adverse symptoms are most likely to occur in individuals with the lowest levels of stomach acid. This is because these people are most likely to have atrophic gastritis (a thinned-out stomach lining), which makes them much more sensitive to even small quantities of HCL than a normal, thicker stomach lining.” This makes sense because a super inflamed stomach lining won’t have its normal protective barrier intact to contain the strong acids. In this case, it is wise to start with digestive bitters or get smaller dose Betaine HCL pills (think 350mg or less). – If you have low stomach acid and you can’t supplement with Betaine HCL, there are a few natural methods to help with symptoms. Start by taking a shot of lemon juice or vinegar before a meal to help the symptoms of indigestion. But know that these don’t actually help the digestion of food only the symptoms. A supplement that can help the digestion is digestive bitters.

How Many Betaine HCL Pills?

It’s very common for people to stop short of their needed Betaine HCL dosage. In fact, in the beginning, I was nervous about taking 6 pills at a meal. But trust me. There is nothing to worry about. Dr. Wright reports that the common Betaine HCL dosage range in his ​ clinical practice is 3,250-4,550mg per meal. That means there are also plenty of people ​ who need above 5,000mg for efficacy.

Remember, a normal functioning stomach is capable of producing and handling extreme acid ranges. If your dosage starts getting extremely high without any GI distress (step #3), you must use your GI symptoms as a guide instead. These include burping, bloating, farting, and stool consistency. Keep everything else the same in your diet as you wait for these indicators to change for the better. Just because you can take 20 pills, doesn’t mean you should. It could be that at 11 pills, all of your problems disappear. For this group of people, try to find the minimum dose needed to help your GI symptoms and for Pete’s sake, go get more testing to figure out what is going on!

Best Betaine HCL Supplement Brands

When choosing a Betaine HCL supplement, it’s important to choose one that includes pepsin.

It’s assumed by the medical research that when supplementing with HCL, you need to supplement with pepsin. That is why most Betaine HCL supplements you’ll find include it, and Dr. Wright recommends it.

I also try to look for a brand that has a minimal amount of additives in the pills. I like the following brands:

● Healthy Gut Brand ● Now Betaine HCL ● TwinLab Betaine HCL ● Thorne Research Betaine HCL

14. If You’ve Ever had a Root Canal, Tooth Extraction or Dental Implant, YOU MUST GET THIS 3D Scan Root Cause, a 2019 documentary, chronicles an Australian filmmaker's search to find the root cause of his chronic fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia. With the help of a 3D bone scan and some holistic dentists, he comes to blame his health issues on a root canal procedure he had many years before. The documentary is worth watching, though you can no longer find it on Netflix.

But Then The Controversy Started

Several reports claim that the streaming service pulled the movie after receiving complaints from the American Dental Association and American Association of Endodontists that the film caused unwarranted public fear (The Guardian, 2019).

The movie is entertaining and makes some unsubstantiated claims linking breast cancer to root canals as proven. This a relatively short part of the film and it’s tragic that it maybe the reason it was banned. What the film gets 100% right is that getting a 3-D cone beam x-ray can uncover infections that can cause significant health issues.

Spoiler alert!

The filmmaker tried almost every diet, cleanse, and alternative treatment but doesn't get well. Finally, he gets a 3-D cone beam scan, and sure enough, he has a cavitation or a jaw infection where he had a tooth extracted several years before.

Jordan had a similar issue on an implant he had that showed up on this scan. We have friends who couldn't recover from mold exposure and only to find out they had a cavitation infection. Our experiences line up with the movie.

If You Can’t Recover Health Must Rule This Out

Whenever there is tooth extraction, root canal, or jaw bone insertion like an implant, there is a risk for cavitation.

How much risk and why this occurs is not yet completely understood. There are many theories including method of extraction, leaving behind certain types of tissue, or cross-contamination, and health risk factors before surgery.

Regardless of the mechanism, after surgery, the bone can develop a pocket that can become infected.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms:

● Unexplained health problems in the years after dental surgery ● Recurring Immune system-related health conditions ● Deep bone pain and pressure, which may be constant or vary ● A sour, bitter taste, which often causes gagging and bad breath ● Sharp, shooting pain from the jaws, which eludes doctor's diagnostic attempts ● Chronic sinusitis, congestion, and pain

Why don’t regular X-rays show it?

Cavitation is often missed on 2D x-rays because how the picture is displayed whereas a 3-D model shows all sides of the bone. So the only way to rule it a bone infection is through these scans. Treatment starts with a 3-D cone beam scan maps the exact depth and placement of the cavitation.

The only risk is that it does expose the body to more radiation than a 2D facial x-ray, but the exposure is less than a conventional medical CT scan of the jaw area.

Treatment is varied but often includes surgery to remove the infected and dead areas of bone. Alternatively, it can also include lasers that kill the infection. Other types of systemic treatments, like antibiotics and ozone, are also used.

Summing it up:

In our opinion, the use of 3D cone beam scans has uncovered enough infections as a root cause to warrant attention. If you have an ongoing illness that has not been responsive to treatments and have had a root canal or surgery in your jaw bone, look into 3D cone beam scans.

Resources:

Almendrala, A. (2019, February 28). Netflix pulls controversial documentary that claims root Canals cause cancer. Retrieved August 20, 2019, from https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/feb/27/netflix-root-cause-pulled-root-canals-cancer

FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health (Ed.). (n.d.). Dental Cone-beam computed tomography. Retrieved Summer, 2019, from https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/medical-x-ray-imaging/dental-cone-beam-comp uted-tomography

Glaros, W., DDS. (n.d.). What are Cavitations? Retrieved Summer, 2019, from https://www.biologicaldentist.com/education/cavitations/

Guys and St. Thomas NHS Foundation (2018, March). Having a dental cone beam CT scan. Retrieved from https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/dental/information-for-patie nts-having-a-dental-cone-beam-ct-scan.pdf

Marincola, M. (2014). Jawbone cavitation and its implication in implant dentistry. Retrieved from https://www.bicon.com/news/pdf/jawbone_cavitation.pdf

Marvin. (n.d.). Cavitations - the silent killer. Retrieved Summer, 2019, from http://naturaldentistry.us/2213/cavitations-the-silent-killer/

Yeh, J., & Chen, C. (2018). Estimated radiation risk of cancer from dental cone-beam computed tomography imaging in orthodontics patients. BMC Oral Health, 18(1). ​ ​ ​ ​ doi:10.1186/s12903-018-0592-5

15. Use Two Drops of This Ancient Oil When You’re Anxious

Frankincense Essential Oil is made by distilling the resin of the Boswellia tree.

It’s been referenced in ancient texts dating back more than 5000 years. It shows up repeatedly in the works of important ancient healers, like Pliny, Dioscorides, and Avicenna.

It’s been touted to be beneficial for everything from skin conditions to dental disease, respiratory issues, and digestive troubles.

Cleopatra even used it to make her trademark eyeliner. This sacred and therapeutic oil has been worth more than gold for much of human history.

Due to its powerful phytochemicals, frankincense has been used in health care throughout the ages.

One, in particular, is Boswellic Acid.

Many studies have shown its ability to act like a Cox 2 inhibitor to reduce inflammation in the body without the unwanted side effect of damaging the gut lining.

Boswellic Acid reduces inflammation by blocking the lethal enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and decreases the activity of human leukocyte elastase (HLE).

Here are Just a Few of the Properties of Frankincense Essential Oil:

● Analgesic ● Antibacterial ● Anti-inflammatory ● Antiseptic ● Antidepressant ● Anticarcinogenic ● Astringent ● Stimulates the regeneration of cells ● Digestive aid ● Expectorant ● Immune balancer

Use Two Drops of Frankincense To Calm Down Your Anxiety

One of the active compounds in Frankincense is Incensole Acetate, a neuro-active chemical that has a profound effect on emotions.

It’s believed to be able to communicate with the limbic system to influence the nervous system and has been shown in animal studies to relieve anxiety and depression.

Many report that frankincense can stabilize mood – grounding and relaxing yet invigorating and elevating at the same time.

If you find yourself moving into a fearful state or dealing with a bout of anxiety, try placing 2 drops under your tongue and let it bring relaxation to your body.

Frankincense can also be very sedating if used right before bed.

To drift effortlessly into a restful sleep, diffuse frankincense in your bedroom at bedtime.

Resources:

Al-Harrasi, A., Ali, L., Hussain, J., Rehman, N., Mehjabeen, Ahmed, M., & Al-Rawahi, A. (2014, September). Analgesic effects of Crude extracts and fractions of Omani Frankincense obtained from traditional medicinal PLANT Boswellia Sacra on animal models. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25312172

Ammon, H. (2002). Boswellic acids (components of frankincense) as the active principle in treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12244881

De Rapper, S., Van Vuuren, S., Kamatou, G., Viljoen, A., & Dagne, E. (2012, April). The additive and synergistic antimicrobial effects of select frankincense and myrrh oils--a combination from the pharaonic pharmacopoeia. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22288378 ​ ​

Hamidpour, R., Hamidpour, S., Hamidpour, M., & Shahlari, M. (2013, October). Frankincense ( RǓ xiāng; BOSWELLIA SPECIES): From the selection of traditional applications to the novel PHYTOTHERAPY for the prevention and treatment of serious diseases. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3924999/ An ingredient of sabinsa. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://boswellin.com/research3.html ​ ​

Michie, C., & Cooper, E. (1991, October). Frankincense and myrrh as remedies in children. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1295557/ ​ ​

Moussaieff, A., Rimmerman, N., Bregman, T., Straiker, A., Felder, C., Shoham, S., . . . Mechoulam, R. (2008, August). Incensole acetate, an incense Component, elicits PSYCHOACTIVITY by activating TRPV3 channels in the brain. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18492727 ​ ​

Park, S., Chun, H., Kang, C., & Sul, D. (2011, November 14). Prevention and management of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-induced small intestinal injury. Retrieved from http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v17/i42/4647.htm

Safayhi, H., Mack, T., Sabieraj, J., Anazodo, M., Subramanian, L., & Ammon, H. (1992, June). Boswellic acids: Novel, specific, NONREDOX inhibitors Of 5-lipoxygenase. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1602379

Safayhi, H., Rall, B., Sailer, E., & Ammon, H. (1997, April). Inhibition by boswellic acids of human leukocyte elastase. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9103531 ​ ​

16. The 5-Day Diarrhea Diet

You’d be surprised at how many people suffer from chronic diarrhea multiple times a day and depend on drugs just to leave the house and get groceries without an emergency… This is serious stuff.

You can lose up to a gallon of water each day from diarrhea.

Being dehydrated means your body does not have enough fluid to work properly. Every time you have a bowel movement, you lose fluids. Diarrhea causes you to lose even more fluids. You also lose salts and minerals such as sodium, chloride, and potassium. These salts and minerals affect the amount of water that stays in your body.

Diarrhea that continues over a long period can cause poor absorption of nutrients. This can lead to wasting.

And sadly, diarrhea is the world’s 2nd leading cause of death in children. Diarrhea is very serious when it’s chronic. Weight loss and even death are at risk here... It’s something to focus on and get handled in your life.

The “Stop Your Diarrhea” Intervention

The Intervention Phase is all about creating ideal bowel movements when environmental factors will not. The ideas and products contained in this phase are designed to be non-habit forming, non-toxic, and when possible… actually, improve your health while helping you get your bowel movements headed in the right direction.

Switching to this new way of eating can be a significant shift for some people. Some of you who make this diet switch will experience feelings like:

● Fatigue ● Headaches ● Chills ● Diarrhea ● Constipation ● Joint aches ● General uneasiness

These are all signs of what is commonly called die-off. When making a drastic change in diet, your body has to switch lots of internal processes to be able to handle this new way of living. Sometimes when this switching happens, you temporarily feel worse. If this is you, drink lots of water, plan for extra sleep, and do your best to rest. It will typically get better around the 3rd day.

It doesn’t work for everyone… and that’s OK. We’ve been testing this diet for years, and it works really well for people with constipation, diarrhea, and gas/cramping/bloating. It’s just a reset… after this, you’ll need to follow our SCD eBook plan to expand out your diet and continue on. This diet IS NOT meant to be used for more than 5 days.

Note: Using digestive enzymes 1-4 per meal can make the plan even more powerful is the ​ most common cause of failure.

THE 5-DAY EMERGENCY DIARRHEA MEAL PLAN

A brief calorie statement: We don’t expect you to track calories, but we need to chat ​ about it briefly. The meal plans that accompany this guide will be set up to provide an average of 2000-2500 calories a day. But these are example meal plans and building something specific to you would require a lot more time and knowledge.

NOTE: In the menu above, when it says chicken soup, please eat as many bowls as desired. ​ Also, if you are hungry, you may run out of chicken soup fast. If this happens, please go back to the store and make another batch.

Help, I need more calories! When some people look at this menu, they will want to eat ​ more calories or eat less meat. If this applies to you, then I want to give you a few approved substitutions. The first is to use tablespoons of coconut oil. We like Nutiva or Gold EFA brands, but seriously take 1-2 tablespoons and eat it right off the spoon with each meal. Each tablespoon is about 120 calories of anti-inflammatory fats that will also help your immune system. Another idea you can try is to drizzle olive oil all over your food.

RECIPE: How to Make an Electrolyte Drink Electrolytes are vital for health and well-being. If you are having regular diarrhea, or have in the past, you could be low in electrolytes. It’s a wise idea to make sure you have enough of them. Here are two healthy ways in which you can add electrolytes to your body.

Homemade Drink

Ingredients:

● A 12-16 ox glass of Water ● 1 Tablespoon of Honey ● ½ Teaspoon of Sea Salt ● ½ Teaspoon of Baking Soda

Mix them all together and drink. If the water is warm, it’s much easier to dissolve and mix.

Store-bought Version

Another way to get electrolytes is to buy electrolyte solutions from amazon or a nearby health food store. The brand I use and recommend is Lyte Balance Electrolytes. Use 1 or 2 servings of the drink per day. You can mix it with water or with a fresh fruit juice.

17. Metformin: Diabetes Drug Doubles As Anti-aging Breakthrough And Cancer Prevention & Treatment

In the 1920s, Otto Warburg and colleagues observed that tumors were taking up enormous amounts of glucose (sugar) compared to what was seen in the surrounding tissue.

Later this hypothesis that cancer cells prefer glucose was called the Warburg effect. It's now known that cancer cells can use many types of fuel, not just sugar. But there is a lot of research that shows elevated blood sugar levels are linked to cancer.

Metformin was initially and is still mostly used as a diabetes drug (also PCOS since blood sugar issues drive hormone disruption so much).

What does it do?

Its primary effect is lowering the glucose production in the liver, but it also increases the body's sensitivity to insulin. It's estimated there are 80 million prescriptions in the US alone.

So it's one of the most prescribed, well studied, and widely used drugs in the world.

What are the risks?

But like all drugs, it has a range of effects, some of them are desirable and others that are not. It does appear to have some significant risks for those with kidney or liver issues and should probably be avoided for them. It also appears to do something to the gut flora with one study suggesting that increases the risks of pathogenic bacteria.

In general the higher the dose of Metformin the more side effects with longer terms studies suggesting a significantly increased risk in B12 deficiency, Alzheimer's, Dementia and Parkinson's.

Then Why Are We Even Talking About it?

If you are a diabetic, likely, you are already on this (and if not - get on it). But if not should you take it preventatively for other conditions?

Three massive debates are happening right now with Renegade experts, scientists, and physicians on both sides of the argument.

1. Metformin in low doses of 500-1000mg prevents cancer 2. Metformin should be taken immediately upon cancer diagnosis 3. Metformin in low does slows aging and increases lifespan

Can Metformin Prevent Cancer?

Lewis Cantley of the Cancer Center "Metformin may have already saved more people from cancer deaths than any drug in history." Dr. Cantley also really likes to combine Metformin with Keto diet so that should be noted.

Because Metformin lowers IGF-1 and inhibits mTOR it's thought that this alone will be cancer-protective. But at this point, there's not much data to back these theories up.

The best data is a meta-analysis which found a 60% reduction of the risk of a specific liver cancer intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma) in diabetic patients using Metformin. This study also showed a 50 to 85% reduction in the risk of pancreatic, colorectal, breast, and lung cancers.

Metformin to Treat Cancer?

If you get cancer; however, there are several research studies and ongoing clinical trials suggesting that this would be a simple and cheap add on therapy to anything you are already doing.

The risks of Metformin if you have a life-threatening diagnosis are of much lower significance, and the possibility to help appears real.

A 2018 Paper says "Metformin acts by interfering with mitochondrial respiration, leading to an activation of the AMPK tumor-suppressive pathway to promote catabolic-energy saving reactions and block anabolic ones that are associated with abnormal cell proliferation."

In other words, Metformin's ability to help beat cancer might not have to do both with its ability to support healthy blood glucose but by other pathways as well.

A 2012 study involving 302 diabetic patients with pancreatic cancer showed a 2-year survival rate was 30.1% for the metformin group and 15.4% for the non-metformin group.

Metformin an Anti-aging drug ?

The last idea is whether you should use Metformin to increase lifespan. Again there are many Renegades on arguing both sides of this argument.

A 2013 study in mice showed that Metformin might increase lifespan. The study found metformin usage led to an increase in the average lifespan of over 30% (160 weeks vs. 120 weeks).

There's plenty of renegades who take 500-1000mg per day based on these mice studies, and it's mechanisms of actions.

But there's just as many renegades who think it's a bad idea. I think it is worth noting that many prominent Renegades think this drug could have the most anti-aging possibilities on almost any we know about. And yet many of them cycle on and off it. Or are still waiting for more data.

Summing it Up:

In the end, if you are diagnosed with cancer it seems Metformin is a simple and powerful add-on treatment. If you are trying to avoid cancer and increase lifespan it can go either way -- but it’s best thought of as an individual experience.

For instance, let’s you tried to control your blood sugar levels by diet, gut healing, exercise, trauma healing, and other lifestyle changes. But are still having trouble getting fasting blood glucose numbers into the 80’s -- then Metformin might be a great test that pays off.

Resources:

Biondani, G., & Peyron, J. (2018, August 10). Metformin, an ANTI-DIABETIC drug to TARGET Leukemia. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6095966/

Campbell, J., Stephenson, M., De Courten, B., Chapman, I., Bellman, S., & Aromataris, E. (2018). Metformin use associated with reduced risk of dementia in patients with diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6218120/

Chaiteerakij, R., Yang, J., Harmsen, W., Slettedahl, S., Mettler, T., Fredericksen, Z., . . . Roberts, L. (2013, February). Risk factors for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Association between metformin use and reduced cancer risk. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23055147

Chin-Hsiao, T. (2019, February 1). Metformin and the risk of dementia in type 2 diabetes patients. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6345339/

Col, N., Ochs, L., Springmann, V., Aragaki, A., & Chlebowski, R. (2012, October). Metformin and breast cancer risk: A meta-analysis and critical literature review. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22847511

Elbere, I., Kalnina, I., Silamikelis, I., Konrade, I., Zaharenko, L., Sekace, K., . . . Klovins, J. (2018, September 27). Association of metformin administration with gut microbiome dysbiosis in healthy volunteers. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30261008 ​ Evans, J., Donnelly, L., Emslie-Smith, A., Alessi, D., & Morris, A. (2005, June 4). Metformin and reduced risk of cancer in diabetic patients. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC558205/

Hopkins, B., Pauli, C., Du, X., Wang, D., Li, X., Wu, D., . . . Cantley, L. (2018, August). Suppression of insulin feedback enhances the efficacy Of pi3k inhibitors. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6197057/ https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2018/pi3k-resistance-ketogenic-diet- diabetes-drug

Johnson, S., Robert, C., Bell, G., Bell, R., Lewanczuk, R., & Boulé, N. (2008, September). Acute effect of metformin on exercise capacity in active males. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17970761

Konopka, A., Laurin, J., Schoenberg, H., Reid, J., Castor, W., Wolff, C., . . . Miller, B. (2019, February). Metformin inhibits mitochondrial adaptations to aerobic exercise training in older adults. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30548390 ​

Kuan, Y., Huang, K., Lin, C., Hu, C., & Kao, C. (2017, October 3). Effects of metformin exposure on neurodegenerative diseases in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28583443

Roseland, J. (2019, April 24). Should biohackers use Metformin? Retrieved from https://medium.com/@jonathanroseland/should-biohackers-use-metformin-ea2e525b073d

Sadeghi, N., James L. Abbruzzese, S., Hassan, M., & Li, D. (2012, May 15). Metformin use is associated with better survival of diabetic patients with pancreatic cancer. Retrieved from http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/18/10/2905.short

Zi, F., Zi, H., Li, Y., He, J., Shi, Q., & Cai, Z. (2018, January). Metformin and cancer: An existing drug for cancer prevention and therapy. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5772929/ 18. Semax: Improved Memory, Brain Power, and Stroke Recovery Peptide treatments are at the frontiers of medicine. The majority of them are brand new and have little research or clinical usage. However, peptides are not a new invention and there are several that are older and more researched.

Semax is one of these that starts to appear in scientific research as early 1992.

What is Semax?

Semax is based on a protein fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) while not possessing hormonal activity; it seems to mimic many parts of ACTH.

Semax is an approved medication in Russia for the prevention and treatment of circulatory disorders, including stroke.

It also has nootropic, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and analgesic effects.

Is it safe?

It's reported to be used widely in clinical application for stroke for the last ten years and is probably the most commonly used peptide on the market. Human studies and data are, however, still hard to find. At this point, despite lots of animal data and some human studies, there's still no known understanding of how exactly Semax works in the body.

How does it work?

What is known is that it raises the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is extremely important for regulating the brain. BDNF is an important factor in anxiety, depression, learning, memory, and regulating the brain.

Having high BDNF or spikes in it is thought to help an aging brain in many ways. The most significant brain benefit of exercise is believed to be by spiking BDNF levels.

What does the Research Say?

For humans, any stroke or stroke-like event Semax may offer a breakthrough. For decreased cognitive issues, memory, or attention issues, Semax could provide powerful support. It also provides a nootropic boost for most users.

Recent 2018 study shows that dosing on 14 healthy volunteers affects the brain's default mode network. The study used 60 µl into each nostril, a total dose of 1.2 mg of 1% solution.

A 2007 study on chronic partial denervation and motor neuron disease found only benefits in quality of life and was recommended for palliative care but not fixing any issues of the disease.

Also, anyone with anxiety, depression, mood issues could benefit from testing Semax. Lastly, it could help with circulation and pain based on rat studies and some user data.

How do You Use it?

It comes in two nasal dropper concentrations 1% and 0.1%.

Dosing for strokes in studies is Standard regimen of Semax included two courses (6000 mcg/day) for ten days with a 20-day interval.

Dosing for a trial on motor neuron disease was 1% solution drug administered intranasally in two 10-day-long courses with 2-weeks break in a daily dose of 12 mg.

A simple online search provides links to online pharmacy options.

Resources:

Asmarin, I., Nezavibat'ko, V., Miasoedov, N., Kamenskiĭ, A., Grivennikov, I., Ponomareva-Stepnaia, M., . . . Riasina, T. (1997). A nootropic ADRENOCORTICOTROPIN ANALOG 4-10-SEMAX (l5 years experience in its design and study). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9173745

Gusev, E., Martynov, M., Kostenko, E., Petrova, L., & Bobyreva, S. (2018). The efficacy of semax in the tretament of patients at different stages of ischemic stroke. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29798983 Gusev, E., Skvortsova, V., Miasoedov, N., Nezavibat'ko, V., Zhuravleva, E., & Vanichkin, A. (1997). Effectiveness of semax in acute period of hemispheric ischemic stroke (a clinical and electrophysiological study). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11517472 ​

Kaplan, A., Koshelev, V., Nezavibat'ko, V., & Ashmarin, I. (1992). Increased resistance to HYPOXIA effected by the neuropeptide preparation SEMAX. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1335426/

Kolomin, T., Shadrina, M., Slominsky, P., Limborska, S., & Myasoedov, N. (2013). A new generation of drugs: Synthetic peptides based on natural regulatory peptides. Neuroscience and Medicine, 04(04), ​ ​ ​ ​ 223-252. doi:10.4236/nm.2013.44035

Lebedeva, I., Panikratova, Y., Sokolov, O., Kupriyanov, D., Rumshiskaya, A., Kost, N., & Myasoedov, N. (2018, September). Effects of Semax on the default mode network of the brain. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30225715

Medvedeva, E., Dmitrieva, V., Povarova, O., Limborska, S., Skvortsova, V., Myasoedov, N., & Dergunova, L. (2014, March 24). The peptide semax affects the expression of genes related to the immune and vascular systems in rat brain focal ischemia: Genome-wide transcriptional analysis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3987924/ ​

Nazarova, G., Konchugova, T., Iurova, O., Turova, E., Rassulova, M., Sichinava, N., & Morozova, N. (2013). The results of the application of the pre-formed physical factors and neuroprotective therapy for the rehabilitative treatment of the patients with diabetic retinopathy. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24437205

Serdiuk, A., Levitskiĭ, G., Miasoedov, N., & Skvortsova, V. (2007). The study of chronic partial denervation and quality of life in patients with motor neuron disease treated with semax. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18379501 ​

https://file.scirp.org/pdf/NM_2013120914223729.pdf

19. An Old School Natural Laxative to Relieve Constipation

Trading diarrhea for constipation?

This was NOT what I signed up for when I started eating a real food diet that was supposed to heal my gut.

I was suddenly dealing with gut squeezing, belly protruding constipation. I was going up to 5 or 6 days without a bowel movement. And it was consuming all of my attention after a few days of not going. This was a new kind of pain. Diarrhea pain I could handle; it was familiar, but this was a totally new sensation.

And I hated it.

If you can’t poop… pretty much all you can think about is pooping. It’s really annoying. I’ve been there.

If you’re reliant on enemas, laxatives, or coffee to poop, I’m here to tell you that’s not normal and it’s not healthy.

You are constipated.

If you have to push, strain and fight for every bowel movement, that’s a big red flag that something is wrong.

You are constipated.

If your poops are hard, small, or painful when they come out…

You are constipated.

And if it hasn’t already gotten worse, it’s probably going to.

Not to mention, those who struggle with constipation are reabsorbing toxins into their systems and exposing themselves to a lot of health risks down the road.

That’s why I started trying everything I could find for constipation… and it turns out that one old school recommendation actually works, but with a twist.

Grandma Always Said Prunes Make You Poop

Prunes might be the oldest trick in the book for constipation.

When I was struggling with constipation, I tried prunes and prune juice, and neither helped. So I was very skeptical and thought prunes might be an old wives’ tale.

But as I’ve been researching constipation more, I came across a study on prunes and constipation. It shows that 70% of people receiving prunes had an improvement in their constipation symptoms.

70% is an impressive success rate.

And the fascinating part of the study is they tested whether the prunes worked solely due to an increase in fiber content or something else. And what they found was the fiber was not the sole reason for the easement of constipation symptoms.

While the control group that received only fiber did have some improvements in symptoms, the number of people who reported better symptoms were almost double in the prune group.

Prunes are often touted as nature’s remedy for constipation, but this study showed that it does actually work in a scientific setting.

Most people think it’s the fiber, but there’s more to the story that this study teased out.

Prunes contain both soluble and insoluble fiber in roughly equal amounts. Insoluble fiber seems to play a role, which doesn’t dissolve in water but does also bind with water in the intestine, promoting movement of food through your digestive system.

Prunes also contain about 15 grams of sorbitol (sugar alcohol found in fruits that’s sometimes used as a sugar substitute) per 100 grams. Sorbitol is a natural laxative and likely has a big impact on why they work so well.

What’s clear is that eating prunes for constipation don’t work for everybody (me included), but for some people, prunes are a miracle worker.

We are all individuals, and not everything works for everyone.

So, all I can do is give you the tools and hope that you have the patience and persistence to try them until you find the combination that works for you.

The Bottom Line Is: prunes are one of the cheapest and safest tests for relieving ​ constipation… and now the research is beginning to show us real data that Grandma might’ve been right all along.

Prunes can make some of us poop.

The best thing to do if you’re looking for ways to deal with constipation is to test this:

Eat 4-8 prunes a day for a week and see if your constipation improves.

If it does, congratulations, you’re part of the 70%.

If it doesn’t, don’t give up. You have other root causes to explore.

Resources:

Attaluri, A., Donahoe, R., Valestin, J., Brown, K., & Rao, S. (2011, February 15). Randomised clinical trial: Dried plums (prunes) vs. psyllium for constipation - attaluri - 2011 - alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics - wiley online library. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04594.x/full

20. 4 Simple Questions To Transform Any Challenge into a Breakthrough, Especially If You’re Struggling with Depression

During my journey overcoming chronic illness, I’ve faced many battles with depression and even suicidal thoughts.

And after helping thousands of people with their own health struggles, I’ve come to realize that many of us have fought through dark times… usually alone, and often without talking about it.

The truth is: Depression is the most difficult health challenge I’ve ever faced. ​

I’ve had diarrhea 15 times a day...

I’ve been so tired I couldn’t get out of bed...

And I’ve struggled with being so sick I didn’t know how long I’d live…

But nothing was as hard as the darkness of depression.

All I can say is that the suffering, hurt, and sadness were worse than any diarrhea session.

If you’ve been there, you know.

And what was scary for me is that I couldn’t get anything from the normal “alternative health” world to work. I tried everything from diet to extreme supplement protocols.

But eventually, I tried something that did work.

It wasn’t a supplement or new food.

In fact, it was so simple that when I first heard about it, I completely ignored it because I thought it couldn’t help my issues… they were too bad.

I was wrong.

It turned out this simple 4 step process did actually snapped me out of my depressed state in a matter of minutes, and I could use it anytime I was feeling the darkness creep in.

And that’s why I’m so excited to share it with you.

Use These 4 Questions To End Your Suffering

A woman named Byron Katie was so depressed and stuck that she couldn’t get out of bed for weeks. It was a 10 year battle for her.

She wanted to die.

She drank to excess, her husband brought her pints of ice cream and codeine pills that she ate like candy, and she ended up weighing over two hundred pounds.

But one day, she had a life-changing moment. She realized that her suffering was caused by her thoughts about her situation… not her actual situation.

“I don’t deserve happiness” and “My life is horrible” were thoughts running through her head on repeat.

But what she found was this: when she believed her negative thoughts, she was suffering ​ and was depressed and didn’t want to live.

But when she didn’t believe those thoughts… she was happy.

Out of this realization, she devoted her life’s work to a simple process of self-inquiry, which she now calls “The Work.”

Reading her book changed my life. And I want to share the simple process with you right now so you can use it on anything in your life that is making you feel unhappy.

It involves asking four simple questions about each belief that causes us pain:

1. Is it true? 2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true? 3. How do you react when you believe that thought? 4. Who would you be without the thought?

It can wake you up to important truths hidden inside you.

One Important Note: Bryon is very emphatic that you don’t try to do this in your head ​ because your mind will outsmart you. Instead, she recommends putting them on paper to stop the mind from running away and see the truth in writing.

Here’s how it works:

1) Notice what upsets you or angers you or makes you feel sad.

2) Write down your stressful thoughts about that person or thing.

3) Then ask the four simple questions about each and write down your answers:

1. Is it true? 2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true? 3. How do you react when you believe that thought? 4. Who would you be without the thought?

4) Then turn it around. Ask: is the opposite as true as or more accurate than the original thought?

It’s really that simple.

But that’s the funny thing I discovered about this process.

The hard part isn’t the 4 questions...

The hard part is actually sitting down and spending 10-minutes asking yourself these questions and writing down the answers.

For me, it was never a question of “does this work?”

It was always a matter of: am I actually willing to sit down and breakthrough my darkness and ask these 4 questions to change it?

Some days I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

But when I did, everything would shift.

How to Test Bryon Katie’s Work Right Now

Everything in her process is free on her website, and you can even watch short video clips of her taking people through the 4 steps in stunning breakthroughs at this URL (no affiliation): https://thework.com/

21. The Hyperventilation Trick That Turns Off Autoimmunity Rapid breathing techniques have been around for millennia. Many yoga lineages incorporate a variety of quick breathing techniques, hyperventilation, and breath-holding.

Now we know these breathing techniques do much more for the immune system -- forcing the rewriting of medical textbooks.

It’s been a strongly held belief by Medicine around the world that the immune system is autonomically regulated.

Meaning it is not able to be voluntarily controlled by a person. And that the sympathetic nervous system which is part of the immune system is also not able to be voluntarily controlled.

Renegade Rewrites the Medical Textbooks

In 2011, a Dutchman named Wim Hof made headlines when he conducted a medically supervised experiment demonstrating that he could voluntarily regulate his immune system.

In a hospital setting, he was injected with a dose of E. Coli toxin that normally makes humans violently ill much like the flu. Wim used his breathing techniques to activate his sympathetic immune system.

Through his technique, he released cortisol and other catecholamines and avoided any of those ill side effects that were experienced by 112 others who have received the same injection.

This experiment usurping what medical textbooks had always taught.

But Can Regular People Do it?

Many experts wondered if others could repeat the experience. In 2012, Wim took twelve healthy adults and trained them in his hyper breathing techniques, meditation, and cold exposure.

Then they repeated the experiment, but this time they also create a twelve person placebo control group. Wim trained the active twelve for ten days before being injected with E. Coli toxins along with the placebo group.

Study Results: “In the intervention group, practicing the learned techniques resulted in ​ ​ intermittent respiratory alkalosis and hypoxia resulting in profoundly increased plasma epinephrine levels. In the intervention group, plasma levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 increased more rapidly after endotoxin administration, correlated strongly with preceding epinephrine levels, and were higher. Levels of proinflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 were lower in the intervention group and correlated negatively with IL-10 levels. Finally, flu-like symptoms were lower in the intervention group.”

The flu-like symptoms were approx 50% lower in the intervention group.

Study Conclusions: “Both the autonomic nervous system and innate immune system were ​ regarded as systems that cannot be voluntarily influenced. The present study demonstrates that, through practicing techniques learned in a short-term training program, the sympathetic nervous system and the immune system can indeed be voluntarily influenced.

Healthy volunteers practicing the learned techniques exhibited profound increases in the release of epinephrine, which in turn led to increased production of anti-inflammatory mediators and subsequent dampening of the proinflammatory cytokine response elicited by intravenous administration of bacterial endotoxin. This study could have important implications for the treatment of a variety of conditions associated with excessive or persistent inflammation, especially autoimmune diseases in which therapies that antagonize proinflammatory cytokines have shown great benefit.”

Takeaways: It is possible for someone to learn, in a relatively short time the ability to ​ exert control over body systems that can create an anti-inflammatory release of hormones.

Why it matters for Autoimmunity: Many autoimmune patients, especially the severely ill, ​ have low cortisol issues, low catecholamines, and high levels of inflammatory cytokines. It may be possible for those with autoimmune disorders to practice these techniques regulate hormones and downregulate chronic inflammation.

You can learn more about Wim Hof, his methods and training opportunities at https://www.wimhofmethod.com/. Free mini classes are available online to give you a ​ taste.

Resources:

Kox, M., Stoffels, M., Smeekens, S. P., Alfen, N. V., Gomes, M., Eijsvogels, T. M., . . . Pickkers, P. (2012). The influence of concentration/meditation on autonomic nervous system activity and the innate immune response. Psychosomatic Medicine, 74(5), 489-494. doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e3182583c6d ​ ​ ​ ​

Kox, M., Van Eijk, L., Zwaag, J., Van den Wildenberg, J., Sweep, F., Van der Hoeven, J., & Pickkers, P. (2014, May 20). Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4034215/

Middendorp, H. V., Kox, M., Pickkers, P., & Evers, A. W. (2015). The role of outcome expectancies for a training program consisting of meditation, breathing exercises, and cold exposure on the response to endotoxin administration: A proof-of-principle study. Clinical Rheumatology, 35(4), 1081-1085. ​ ​ ​ ​ doi:10.1007/s10067-015-3009-8

Muzik, O., Reilly, K., & Diwadkar, V. (2018, May 15). "Brain over body"-a study on the willful regulation of autonomic function during cold exposure. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29438845

Van Marken Lichtenbelt, W. (2017, June 9). Who is The iceman? Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605164/

22. L-Glutamine Protocol For Healing Leaky Gut

Researchers are finding that L-Glutamine plays a critical role in healthy digestion and brain function. Glutamine has been shown in studies to protect against mucosal breakdown in the gut. There are even studies looking into how glutamine can aid in reducing the side-effects of chemotherapy treatments.

Not having enough of it around can and does cause significant problems for the lining of the gut wall.

The sicker and more broken you are, the more likely this is a supplement you should try using.

The short story is if you have autoimmune or gut health issues, L-Glutamine should be something you test adding to your supplementation routine. We’ve seen it be especially helpful for those suffering from multiple food allergies.

Your gut is made of a delicate tissue called epithelial tissue. Like anything in the body, this tissue requires maintenance. When this tissue breaks down, you get leaky gut, which leads to increased inflammation and is tied to all kinds of chronic health conditions. Researchers are looking into how glutamine supports gut maintenance, claiming that when you are deficient in glutamine, your intestinal tissue suffers and can actually atrophy. Supplementing with glutamine could be a way to avoid this tissue breakdown.

One study puts it this way, “Glutamine has protective effects on intestinal mucosa by decreasing bacteremia and epithelial cell apoptosis, enhancing gut barrier function, and influencing gut immune response.” It’s saying that glutamine can fight against bad gut flora, keep the epithelial cells from dying, and support the immune system’s ability to kick butt.

As you can see, it’s a pretty amazing molecule. And having more of it in the body can help with gut health, brain health, and muscle repair. However, everything is a test, meaning that all the research in the world won’t tell you whether you should be using it. In the end, you need just to test it and do so at different dosages. Here’s how to use it to heal a leaky gut.

Start L-Glutamine Slowly

Too much, too soon of any supplement can cause issues, and L-Glutamine is no different. The best way to use this supplement is to ramp the dosage up over a few weeks slowly. This allows the body to grow comfortable and reduces the chances of overwhelm.

Based on the research and real-world application, the dosage you are trying to build up to is 10g to 40g a day. I’ve even done protocols, and seen others do them, of up to 100g a day.

But the sweet spot for excellent results seems to be around 20g to 40g a day.

And the way to do this is to slowly work your way up to these ranges – always pausing or stopping if you notice any adverse reactions.

Here’s an L-Glutamine Ramping Protocol:

● Day 1 – 2.5g AM and PM with food ● Day 2 – 2.5g AM and PM with food ● Day 3 – 5g AM and PM with food ● Day 4 – 5g AM and PM with food ● Day 5 – 7.5g AM and PM with food ● Day 6 – 7.5g AM and PM with food ● Day 7 – 10g AM and PM with food ● Day 8 – 10g AM and PM with food ● Day 9 – 12.5g AM and PM with food ● Day 10 – 12.5g AM and PM with food ● Day 11 – 15g AM and PM with food ● Day 12 – 15g AM and PM with food ● Day 13 – 20g AM and PM with food ● Day 14 – 20g AM and PM with food

By the end of week 2, you’ll be at 40g per day (which is where the studies and most people report really good results). It’s best to always take this with food, typically at the end of a meal. The thinking here is that this is an amino acid and that it will be better absorbed with other amino acids. When you take it, try to consume as little water as possible to not dilute the stomach acid needed to digest your food.

The last reminder, if you experience any adverse reactions, stop the supplement or reduce your dosage right away. More on why this happens below. Then try again. If you still react, then it’s probably not right for you at this time.

Use a Powder… Not Pills (Brands Included)

As I mentioned above, the amount of L-Glutamine you’ll be taking is much higher than a typical supplement. And so picking the right brand and type of L-Glutamine supplement is very important.

If you do some looking around, you’ll see that there are two main ways to take L-Glutamine: in pill or powder form. Do not buy this supplement in pill form. The main reason is that you’ll be using such a high amount, which means you would need to take 10-20+ pills with each meal.

That’s just annoying and unnecessary, especially since you can easily obtain this supplement in powder form, unflavored and without additives.

Here are the brands we prefer:

● Klaire Labs ● Source Naturals ● Jarrow

All three are very highly respected brands. I personally trust Klaire and Numedica more than Jarrow, as they cater more towards the professional and gut health crowds and seem to carry higher quality standards. That being said, to my knowledge, I can’t see a difference between the three.

If You React, Don’t Keep Using It the Same

If you react negatively to L-Glutamine, then it’s time to change what you are doing. Don’t get all macho and try to press on through the issues.

Note: There are some supplements that you do need to adopt that mindset for, but this ​ isn’t one.

I’ve had all kinds of complications reported to me about L-Glutamine, including worsening of constipation, diarrhea, anxiety, heart racing, brain fog, headaches, and almost anything else.

What does this tell us?

Nothing specific other than each person’s genetics, epigenetics, gut flora, and current hormone levels are different. The conclusion then is that if you try L-glutamine and your symptoms worsen, it’s not, at this time, the best supplement to use.

This is especially true if you get brain-related symptoms. There appears to be 5% or less of the population who report brain-related issues right away on the first dose (totally made up based on our interactions with people). Science is still unclear on why this happens, but it seems to be related to how glutamine is used in the brain.

There are all kinds of theories and conjecture, but no one really understands it yet. The take-home point is that if you experience brain issues, reduce your dosage or stop altogether. If you experience GI-related distress, then you most likely just need to lower the dosage.

Resources:

Ban, K., & Kozar, R. (2010, December). Glutamine protects against apoptosis via downregulation of sp3 in intestinal epithelial cells. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3006244/

Fox, A., Kripke, S., De Paula, J., Berman, J., Settle, R., & Rombeau, J. (1988). Effect of a glutamine-supplemented enteral diet on methotrexate-induced enterocolitis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3138440

Gaurav, K., Goel, R., Shukla, M., & Pandey, M. (2012, January). Glutamine: A novel approach to chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Retrieved August 24, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3385273/

Larson, S., Li, J., Chung, D., & Evers, B. (2007, December). Molecular mechanisms contributing to glutamine-mediated intestinal cell survival. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2432018 / ​

23. 29% Reduction in Sick Time By Changing Your Shower ​ Habits

A 2015 study reviewing hot to cold showers for 3,000 people showed a 29% reduction in self-reported sick time and a slight increase in mental well being.

How did it work?

In a 30 day, randomized controlled trial, participants took a hot shower as long as they liked but were instructed to end with either 30, 60, or 90 seconds of cold water.

In the study, there wasn’t a statistical difference in how long the participants were in the shower, but what seemed to matter more was how cold the water was.

However, the intervention period was only 30 days meaning after this date, the participants were told to shower however they liked. And the data was collected at the 90-day mark. Making the intervention and results somewhat not linked.

It could be possible that had the data been collected closer to the start of the showers it might have been higher. What is telling is that 64% percent of participants indicated that they were still finishing with cold showers 60 days later. This suggests they thought there was a boost in mental and immune health.

Cold bathing has a long history

Hippocrates, considered the founder of modern medicine, used cold water bathing in his treatment of the most serious illnesses.

New studies on cryogenic freezing therapies and Wim Hof research suggests that ending a shower, for as little as 30 seconds, with cold water appears to be an easy way to boost immunity and mental well being.

How to do it today

At the end of your morning shower, turn down the temperature as low as you can handle and stay in for as long as possible. At the beginning, 30 seconds will seem like a long time but keep at it.

While standing in the cold water, focus on your breath. Breathe deeply, in and out. It can feel horrible for the first ten seconds or so but with some practice, you will get used to the sensation of your skin being cold.

Resources:

Buijze, G., Sierevelt, I., Van der Heijden, B., Dijkgraaf, M., & Frings-Dresen, M. (2016, September 15). The effect of Cold showering on health and work: A randomized controlled trial. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5025014/

24. Melt Stress With This Epic Epsom Salt Trick

Stress is about more than just being stuck in traffic or fighting with a spouse over bills. Stress causes a natural physiological (chemical) response in the body with the core purpose of keeping us alive. In fact, this "fight or flight" chemical response used to save our ancestors every day while they roamed the earth dodging Saber-Tooth Tigers and Woolly Mammoths.

During stress, the Adrenal Glands release the hormones cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.

Why is that important?

These chemicals put our body into a state of "Flight or Fight," which was great for our ancestors. It gave them a short burst of heightened awareness and the energy to stay alive no matter what threat they were up against.

Here's the problem: now we roam the earth well protected in safe cars, safe homes, and ​ comfy workplaces… not running from Woolly Mammoths. Short bursts of life or death stress like our ancestors experienced are rare in today's world unless you get mugged or something.

In today's world, the majority of the stress we experience is chronic – things like not getting enough sleep, going to work, family issues, health issues, not having enough money… and unfortunately, the body can't distinguish threat levels like our government.

Our body responds with a "code red" and activates the "Fight or Flight" response just like it's programmed.

So physiologically, as soon as you roll out of bed, your body is acting like you're running from saber-tooth tigers. It's just not good for us.

Chronic stress keeps cortisol levels high and disrupts the body's natural 24-hour cortisol rhythm that rises and falls throughout the day.

Not only that but elevated cortisol:

● Raises blood sugar ● Suppresses Immune function and healing ● Promotes leaky gut syndrome ● Causes hormone imbalance ● Increases depression and anxiety ● Altered digestive motility processes

The bottom line: chronic stress really messes with your body… especially the digestive system.

Properly managing stress can help you improve your digestion. That's why I'm going to focus on managing stress in your life… so you can keep working on controlling stress and the digestive system preventing you from living a symptom-free life.

But Managing Stress is Tricky

That's why we've put together the most effective way to melt stress once per week: The Epic Epsom Salt Soak.

This has single-handedly changed my experience with stress, down to improved adrenals and better blood test results across the board.

For years, Epsom salt baths have been encouraged by top natural health leaders. Since I started taking them to relieve my stress levels. I've been shouting about them from the rooftops.

Here's why they're so good for you:

1. Increases magnesium levels in the body, which is essential for great health and sometimes hard to get via diet alone (even a real food diet). 2. Increases sulfate levels in the body. Sulfate is needed for proper liver detox, which is a good idea in our ever toxic world. 3. Lowers stress hormones. This has yet to be tested in studies, however, those who've done an Epsom salt bath know it is a relaxing and calming ritual. For me, it's not a huge logical jump to assume that sitting in a hot tub, breathing and thinking, without technology, will lower stress levels.

In general, the science on the health benefits of Epsom salt baths is nowhere conclusive or complete. However, lack of proof is not proof against. And considering, the low risk of side effects and the possible benefits, it's a great therapy to add to any natural health program.

Important Qualities of an Amazing Epsom Salt Experience

Most people think of taking Epsom salt baths in a bathtub. That's typically what I do. But just because you don't have a bathtub doesn't mean you have to skip this article. You can get many of the same benefits by soaking your feet in Epsom salts. In other words, anyone can find a plastic tub or bucket and take Epsom salt foot baths. No excuses, but from here on out I will assume you have access to some kind of tub of water to submerge your body in.

First, let's talk about a few factors that will influence your Epsom salt bath experience.

● Temperature – The temperature of the bath or foot soak will affect the therapeutic ​ effect of the bath. This has been my experience, and it's reported from many who practice regular bathing. The hotter the water, the more of an effect these baths seem to have. I usually draw water that is hot enough to sting as I ease in. My body seems to adapt pretty fast, and heat is lost rapidly through most bathtubs, so if it's too hot, just wait a bit or add some cold water.

● Solution Concentration – I get all excited about making an Epsom salt bath ​ because it takes me back to chemistry class. A bit of this and a bit of that and BOOM. Yep… I had fun in that class. Anyway, what I'm talking about here is how much Epsom salt to put into your bath because this determines the strength of the soak. The more Epsom salt you dump in, the stronger the solution will be. And don't forget about the size of the vessel you're pouring the salt in. If you have an extra-large tub, you will need more Epsom salt to create the same strength solution as someone with a standard size tub. And if you're using a foot bath, you need much less.

● Environment – Part of the benefit of the Epsom salt bath is lowering stress ​ hormones. So, the environment in which you take these baths is worth mentioning. If possible, make sure everyone is going to leave you alone… especially if you have kids. Let them know this is mommy time unless some life-threatening problem arises. Later, I will talk more about this, but you can also enhance the environment using music, candles, and essential oil scents.

● Raw Materials - Luckily, it doesn't appear that there is much variation in the Epsom ​ salt market. I've tried a few brands and didn't notice a difference in the results or quality of salt. There are plenty of Epsom salt blends in which the companies add in additional herbs or scents. I've tried a few, and I'm not a fan. They tend to be priced really high, and if you don't like the blend strength (high/low), you can't do much about it. Save your money and make your own.

● Water Quality – If you're using unfiltered tap water, you might want to take a few ​ extra steps to improve the water quality. The first one is Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C powder). It's best to remove chlorine and chloramine from your water. I use about 2000mg per bath. Next, you might test adding a ¼ to 1 cup of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to raise the pH of the water, which will possibly help to fight skin infections. I haven't jumped into the rabbit hole of high pH water and health, but I do know from testing the baking soda that my skin is less red, so I keep using it.

● Time – How long are you going to soak? Well, it would appear from an informal ​ survey of the internet, the time spent in the water should be anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes. The sweet spot for me is 20 minutes. 15 minutes seemed too short, and 30+ felt the same as 20. So, my goal is always 20 minutes, and if I'm really relaxed and enjoying myself, I just turn the alarm off and stay soaking till I'm bored. That could be another 2 minutes or 10+, it just depends. I think there is some logic that staying in longer might help, but don't make this a sticking point. Shoot for the minimum effective dose to get most of the benefits, which for me is around 20 minutes.

Okay, so to sum it up, to create an EPIC Epsom salt bath we should think about the following factors: water temperature, solution concentration, environment, raw materials, water quality, and time. Now, I'll run through the steps you can follow to get started.

Creating an Epic Epsom Salt Bath Experience

Why do I keep saying Epic? Well, you could just dump Epsom salt in the bathtub and jump in. There's really no right or wrong way here. But for me, that's too basic, and I like to take it up a few levels.

So, what takes a normal Epsom salt bath to Epic levels?

A few of the ingredients listed below.

Water Enhancers – Ascorbic Acid and Baking Soda will help reduce skin irritation and, in ​ my experience, actually help my skin look and feel better.

Essential Oils – Yes, these do have merits, and for those who think they lack actual ​ scientific facts, let me clue you in on a few that do.

● Cypress Oil – Is excellent for activating natural killer (NK) cells, which are a very ​ important part of the immune system (especially for tumor killing). It also appears to lower stress hormones like cortisol. ● Rose Oil – Has been touted for centuries to have amazing health benefits. One ​ study showed rose oil lowering salivary cortisol in humans. ● Lavender Oil – Appears to be good for your brain and helping with sleep quality. As ​ it's used in many multi-oil studies, my bet is it also lowers stress hormones, but I can't find a good study on it. ● Eucalyptus Oil – The study of cypress and eucalyptus oil showed reduced cortisol ​ and possible anti-inflammatory and pro-immune system benefits. ● Frankincense Oil - One of the active compounds in Frankincense is Incensole ​ Acetate, a neuro-active chemical that has a profound effect on emotions. It's believed to be able to communicate with the limbic system to influence the nervous system and has been shown in animal studies to relieve anxiety and depression. ● Tea Tree Oil - It's extensive anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties ​ make it one of the most researched oils on the market. It's a stimulatory effect on the immune system, as well as it's powerful role in healing skin conditions makes tea tree oil a great addition to your bath time routine ● Peppermint - Studies have shown it's effective for the treatment of tension ​ headaches, which often occur as a result of stress. Peppermint produces an analgesic effect, increases blood flow to the area, and helps to decrease smooth muscle contractions associated with tension headaches. ● Ravintsara - Known as the oil of meditation and purity, this earthy eucalyptus-like ​ medicinal oil calms the nerves, reduces pain, and promotes sleep. Ravintsara is high in the compound 1,8 cineole, which has been studied for the ability to aid in respiratory issues like asthma and COPD.

Note: Make sure that you don't add your oil until you have finished running the water or you will lose much of the oil's benefit to evaporation.

So, let's say you want the ultimate anti-stress bath - you may want to use Lavender and Rose. Or say you really want to boost your immune system, then grab some Cypress and Eucalyptus. Start by using a total of 6-12 drops of the oils. You may like more, so play with the combinations and amounts.

We recommend you don't use soaps with essential oils. Make sure you mix the oil well into the bath, or you may experience a burning sensation from the oil sitting on the top of the water.

Mood Music – You may have a specific artist that really makes you happy, so put that on ​ loud enough to drown out the world. Or try a meditation track off YouTube. Lastly, there are times when a stimulation break is needed, and earplugs are the perfect ticket. Just put them in and enjoy the lack of sound.

Mood Lighting – I don't go this far, but for those who have the time and space, test it out. ​ Candles! Lots of them… enough that you can dim or turn off the lights and just chill with the soft light of a candle.

How to Take Epsom Salt Baths

I have a fairly standard-sized western bathtub. When I fill it up and sit in it (with my legs on the bottom of the tub) the water barely reaches my belly button.

So, let's break it down into simple steps so that everyone can partake.

Step 1. Draw the hottest temperature bath water you can stand.

Step 2. At some point, while it's filling up, start to add your epic ingredients. ​ ​

I've learned to wait at least 5 minutes for the various products to dissolve into the water.

● Add 1-3 cups of Epsom salt. Start at 1 cup if you are very sick. (2 cups seems to be about the standard amount.) And working up to 3 is the advanced range. I suggest using ½ cup for children under 60lbs and 1 cup for children between 60lbs – 100lbs. I haven't seen anything to contradict this for children, but I have no experience, so hopefully, someone in the comments will give theirs. ● Add ¼ - 1 cup of Baking soda (I usually use ½) ● Add 1000-2000mg of Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C powder) ● Add 6-12 drops of essential oils (mix the water up before jumping in) ● Ready the environment. I like to use relaxing music, set a timer on my iPhone, and sometimes put in earplugs.

Step 3. The soaking part.

If you're lucky, your bathtub might be deep enough to allow the water to cover your whole torso almost up to your head. If you're normal, you'll have a choice to either soak the legs or soak the upper body. If you're minus a bathtub, then it's just your feet, and you can skip this section. But the rest of us, we have a decision. I like to spend the first 5-10 minutes or so soaking the lower body and then spend the rest with my upper body underwater, and lower body wedged up on the wall. And if you're someone like me who has had skin issues on your face, you might want to go all-in and spend part or the entire bath with your head halfway underwater, leaving just your nose/mouth out to breathe. This will allow the skin on your face time to soak up these great nutrients and usually leaves mine looking great and feeling smoother.

Step 4. The meditative part.

As I've said, there's really no right or wrong way to do an Epsom salt soak, but I want to provide a couple ideas that work well for me. The first is to do meditative, deep breathing. There are about a million ways to do this, and I think one of the easiest is to try 5-5-5 triangle breathing. Inhale for a count of 5, hold for a count of 5 and breathe out for a count of 5. You might want to spend part of the bath remembering times that you are grateful for, saying a gratitude list out loud or replaying the day… making sure not to judge it and just to digest it. Lastly, if you didn't think I was weird enough, I seem to do some of my best thinking in water environments. So, I sometimes use these baths as a time to brainstorm, create or dream up ideas I'm thinking about. If this happens for you, don't forget to keep a pen and paper handy or take audio notes on your phone when the bath is done.

Resources:

Berg, L. (2018, December 07). 7 uses of Tea tree oil for Kids' skin problems. Retrieved from http://scdlifestyle.com/2016/03/7-uses-of-tea-tree-oil-for-kids-skin-problems/

Carson, C., Hammer, K., & Riley, T. (2006, January). Melaleuca alternifolia (TEA tree) oil: A review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360273/

Chien, L., Cheng, S., & Liu, C. (2012). The effect of lavender aromatherapy on autonomic nervous system in midlife women with insomnia. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3159017/

Fukada, M., Kano, E., Miyoshi, M., Komaki, R., & Watanabe, T. (2012, May). Effect of "rose essential oil" inhalation on stress-induced skin-barrier disruption in rats and humans. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22167272

Göbel, H., Schmidt, G., Dworschak, M., Stolze, H., & Heuss, D. (1995, October). Essential plant oils and headache mechanisms. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23196150 ​ ​

Li, Q., Kobayashi, M., Wakayama, Y., Inagaki, H., Katsumata, M., Hirata, Y., . . . Miyazaki, Y. (2009). Effect of phytoncide from trees on human natural killer cell function. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20074458

Moussaieff, A., Rimmerman, N., Bregman, T., Straiker, A., Felder, C., Shoham, S., . . . Mechoulam, R. (2008, August). Incensole acetate, an incense Component, elicits PSYCHOACTIVITY by activating TRPV3 channels in the brain. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18492727 ​ ​

Serafino, A., Sinibaldi Vallebona, P., Andreola, F., Zonfrillo, M., Mercuri, L., Federici, M., . . . Pierimarchi, P. (2008, April 18). Stimulatory effect of eucalyptus essential oil on innate cell-mediated immune response. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2374764/

Sook, E., & Choon, D. (n.d.). Effects of Phytoncides Inhalation ON Serum cortisol level and life stress of college students. Retrieved from http://www.koreamed.org/SearchBasic.php?RID=0094JKAAN%2F2008.20.5.697&DT=1

Van der Ploeg, E., Eppingstall, B., & O'Connor, D. (2010, July 22). The study protocol of a blinded randomised-controlled cross-over trial of lavender oil as a treatment of behavioural symptoms in dementia. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2916001/ ​ ​

25. Kratom: Natural Herbal Wonder or Addictive Killer? Illegal in six states but legal federally, this plant is a natural pain killer that could help millions of chronic pain sufferers and be a less toxic shorterm pain solution.

However, this plant which is hailed as a “miracle” by many users, has a dark side that must be understood.

What is a Healthy Pain Reliever?

Look, I, like most, sometimes find myself in very painful situations. Whether it’s a massive headache, or surgery, or a backcountry hunting adventure gone wrong, pain happens.

What are the best options for a healthy person do to help get rid of the pain?

Surprisingly, "safe" over the counter pain relievers can be anything but, and all must be used with caution. For instance, Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, kills an average of 450 Americans and is responsible for 50,000 emergency room visits, annually.

Tylenol and NSAIDS are not “safe”

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), between 1998-2003, acetaminophen was the leading cause of acute liver failure in the U.S., and almost half of ​ ​ liver failure cases during this period were a result of accidental overdose.

A 2011, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology uncovered a link between ​ ​ regular acetaminophen use and increased risk of certain blood cancers. ​ ​

NSAIDs (Advil, ibuprofen, etc.), another common over the counter pain medications, can also be toxic. NSAIDs can attack the gut lining, causing ulcers, bleeding, allergic reactions and kidney failure if used too long or too high dosage.

The point is that if you are reaching for a pain reliever, all of them can have serious side effects Now, can they be used safely? Yes. And the same is true for Kratom.

The point I want to make is “Safe” and “Natural” are ambiguous words so clearly understanding the substances you put in your body is a really good idea.

When I took Kratom...

The first time I took it, I was amazed at what I felt.

However, Kratom is no regular pain reliever, and that’s what makes it an herbal wonder. I felt much more than pain relief and I got excited…

But when I checked in with several Renegade medical professionals I know, some balked at the idea and told me to do more research.

So I did...

What does Kratom Come From?

For centuries, kratom was used by the working class of Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Farmers and laborers would chew on kratom leaves for pain, coughs, diarrhea, and depression. Some even used it like coffee, as a daily pick me up or an alternative to alcohol.

In the 1940s, kratom was also used to ease opioid withdrawal due to skyrocketing opium prices. In 1943, the Thai government passed the Kratom Act 2486 that made planting of the tree illegal.

By 1979, it was considered an illegal substance like marijuana, but that shifted in 2018 as it became legal for medicinal purposes.

What is Kratom?

“Kratom is the common name for the plant Mitragyna speciosa, a large leafy tree which is indigenous to Southeast Asia, containing psychoactive alkaloids with dose-dependent stimulatory and opioid-like effects.”

“Kratom’s main psychoactive alkaloids are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, substances that have been shown to have activity at supraspinal -opioid receptors, as well as a possible µ stimulant activity through alpha-2 receptors and 5-HT2A receptors.”

In other words, Kratom is like a lot of very unique and powerful plants on this earth in that it affects several areas of the body in a dose-dependent way. In this case, it’s mostly the opioid system and on receptors that are involved in serotonin production.

This is thought to why it is considered a pain reliever, mood enhancer, and increases alertness.

How is it Used

The following is the best description of the dosing, effects, and risks in easy to understand language that I could find. It also correlates with my experience of taking 5g of dried powdered Kratom tablets. I’ve never gone above this dosage in a 24hr period because it is always strong enough for me.

This is quoted from the International Journal of Legal Medicine, 2015 paper “The pharmacology and toxicology of kratom: from traditional herb to drug of abuse”:

“Approximately 1–5 g of raw leaves, which is defined as a low to moderate dose, will yield mild stimulant effects The onset of euphoric effects is experienced in about 10 min after using a few grams of dried leaves. This dosage amount is often related to the stimulant effects commonly used by labor workers to fight fatigue. Not only has increased work capacity been reported by users, but alertness, sociability, and increased sexual desire are said to occur. At this dose, the user may also possess normal to slightly contracted pupils and blushing. Unwanted side effects are generally minimal; however, anxiety and internal agitation have been described.

What Happens At Higher Doses?

Individuals using from 5 to 15 g of leaves are said to exhibit opioid-type effects. At this dosage, kratom may provide the user with pain and opioid withdrawal symptom relief, with diarrhea being a possible side effect. Both mitragynine and 7-HMG yield analgesic and antinociceptive effects. Euphoria is more often achieved at this higher level, but these effects tend to be less intense as compared with opioid drugs. When exceeding 15 g of kratom leaves, one would expect to experience stupor, mimicking the effects associated with opioids. Initially, sweating, dizziness, nausea, and dysphoria will often result. These effects quickly subside and are followed by calmness and a dreamlike state. Frequent users of kratom have displayed instances of tremor, anorexia, weight loss, seizures, and psychosis. Such individuals are likely using high doses of kratom for a prolonged period of time Side effects, particularly for regular heavy users, can include nausea, weight loss, fatigue, constipation, insomnia, dry mouth, frequent urination, and hyperpigmentation of the cheeks.

Despite being opiate-like, withdrawal symptoms are generally nonexistent to mild, even for heavy users. Kratom is considered minimally toxic, but it is important to note that research evaluating its toxic effects on humans is limited, with the vast majority of studies involving animals.”

As you can see, the effects are dose-dependent. And as with most natural or synthetic plants or substances (tylenol, alcohol, caffeine), there are escalating zones of safety and noticeable feedback that your body is being negatively affected.

I don’t think the human body should be on any stimulate or pain reliever on forever -- on-going basis. Natural or not that doesn't make it better.

Whether it’s Tylenol or Adderall or even caffeine, there are always side-effects and damage that accumulate in the body. Some are, of course, worse than others. For instance, opiate drugs vs. Kratom. Opiate drugs have significantly smaller safety window (without much warning - death occurs) and much higher side effect rate than Kratom.

But the point with all drugs is to use it in a safe dosage and take breaks.

So why is it illegal in some places?

Well, there have been several reported deaths in which the autopsy report shows that the deceased was using Kratom in conjunction with other types of drugs.

Note: For perspective, remember Tylneol kills 450 people a year and Opiates kill 70,000 ​ people a year.

Also, there’s been a rise in Poison control center calls for Kratom usage. “With the number ​ of calls to poison centers regarding kratom increasing from 26 in 2010 to 263 in 2015” and ​ likely even higher in 2019.

So I wanted to know…

What was happening in these deaths and overdoses?

In all of the identified cases, Kratom was discovered with other pain relievers, depressants, and stimulants. Mixed with alcohol, propylhexedrine, benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), lamotrigine, opiates, amphetamines, and other street drugs, Kratom can be dangerous.

For example, the case reports back up the university professors guidelines above:

“The first reported case of kratom inducing liver damage was in a 25-year-old patient that developed fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice 10 days after the use of a kratom-based powder. Intake ranged from an initial dose of 4.6–7 g/day to 8.6–14 g/day before the onset of symptoms.”

Note: Remember the professor said on average above 5g a day is when the problems ​ appear to start

“A 52-year-old man presented for clinical evaluation of progressive yellow discoloration of eyes and skin over the course of 2 months. He was in his usual state of health until August 2018, when he strained his right shoulder. For symptomatic pain relief, he reported taking acetaminophen, for almost 2 months at 800 mg of acetaminophen twice daily alone did not alleviate his pain. He started taking kratom, at first twice a day for a few days, and then once a day. He took kratom in the form of crushed leaves with water, 1 teaspoonful (approximately 1.5 g) daily. He was on kratom from early August until October 6, 2018, for about 2 months. He was prescribed 600 mg of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), 3 times daily and followed conservatively. He was advised to avoid kratom and any other herbal supplement products in the future. Took it for 4 weeks then discontinued.”

The above case shows a man combining lower doses of kratom with other pain relievers and beginning to see liver issues. As with many cases on kratom, once usage stops, reversal in issues typically happen.

Natural or Over-the-Counter Doesn’t Mean Safe

In general, people do not understand how potent kratom is as a natural herbal plant. And I don't think there is enough understanding about how to use it without abusing it or what to expect when you take it.

Abusing it to get high regularly is going to lead to side effects, which may include liver issues. "Natural" doesn’t mean free of risk. Even drinking too much water or caffeine can lead to illness or death.

It is also essential that you only consume tested and pure kratom from a known source. The only source that I’ve tried is the Etha Natural Botanicals Brand.

Summing it up on Kratom

As of this writing, kratom is illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The cities of Denver, San Diego and Sarasota, Fla., have also banned the substance. However, it is still considered, at the time of this writing, legal on a federal level.

From the American Kratom Association Policy Report, December 2018: “Kratom users say ​ it reduces pain and anxiety. It boosts mood and increases energy. Users include people with “Fibromyalgia, back pain, PTSD, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, debilitating headaches, and depression who have used it instead of prescription drugs.”

As described by Walter C. Prozialeck, a professor of pharmacology at Midwestern University who has studied kratom extensively, “The amount of kratom that a person has to take in to get any severe effects is ridiculously high. You’re talking 10 to 15 grams of raw leaf. Most people who are using kratom for pain management don’t take that much. Most people can’t take that much.

Finally, unlike potent opioid substances, kratom does not carry a high risk of respiratory depression, which is generally the cause of death in cases of an opioid overdose. The “Respiratory depressant effects appear substantially lower than those produced by opioids, and this would be consistent with the absence of verified kratom caused an overdose death.”

Our research indicates that kratom can also be toxic, even at lower dosages, if taken with other opiates, over the counter pain relievers, antidepressants, or alcohol etc. Don't take it unless you talk with a doctor who understands the interactions of these drugs and kratom.

Just remember, natural doesn't mean safe. But when it comes to pain relievers kratom might be more safe than Tylenol (more studies must be done).

Go slow and test to see if this is right for you. Take breaks and only use a highly reputable verified source (Like ETHA).

Resources:

Boyer, E., Babu, K., Adkins, J., McCurdy, C., & Halpern, J. (2008, June). Self-treatment of Opioid withdrawal using KRATOM (Mitragynia speciosa korth). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3670991/

Caffrey, C., & Lank, P. (2017, December 20). When good times go bad: Managing 'legal high' complications in the emergency department. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5741979/

Fernandes, C., Iqbal, U., Tighe, S., & Ahmed, A. (2019). Kratom-Induced Cholestatic liver injury and its conservative management. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6440031/

Fluyau, D., & Revadigar, N. (2017, April 24). Biochemical benefits, diagnosis, and clinical risks evaluation of kratom. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5402527/ ​

Gutierrez, L. (n.d.). What you need to know about kratom as the feds crack down on the herbal supplement. Retrieved from https://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/article212251809.html

Kratom policy: The challenge of balancing therapeutic potential with public safety. (2019, May 16). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395919301252?via%3Dihub

Mousa, M., Sephien, A., Gutierrez, J., & OʼLeary, C. (2018). N-acetylcysteine for acute hepatitis induced by kratom herbal tea. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28708700# ​ Notes from the FIELD: Kratom (MITRAGYNA speciosa) Exposures reported to poison centers -

United States, 2010–2015 | Mmwr. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6529a4.htm

Science. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.americankratom.org/science.html ​

Tayabali, K., Bolzon, C., Foster, P., Patel, J., & Kalim, M. (2018, June 12). Kratom: A dangerous player in the opioid crisis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5998276/ ​

Warner, M., Kaufman, N., & Grundmann, O. (2016, January). The pharmacology and toxicology of kratom: From traditional herb to drug of abuse. Retrieved from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26511390 https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/americankratomassociation/pages/21/attachments/origi nal/1485630505/Henningfield_Eight_Factor_Analysis.pdf?1485630505 https://www.americankratom.org/images/file/AKA-Policy-Report-Dec-2018.pdf https://www.americankratom.org/images/file/Myths_Facts-on-Kratom-Legislative-Day-Handout-F inal-2.pdf

26. Piracetam for Vertigo and Other Brain Issues

I first started taking Piracetam at age 15 when I found that it could possibly make me smarter. Back then I didn’t know much but I knew the studies I read were encouraging and it seemed safe.

Nearly 20 years later, there's been many advances since this wonder substance was created. These advances in other brain supplements make it seem like Piracetam is no longer needed.

But my experience is that it's one of the most studied, least toxic and most approachable brain enhancers.

What is a Piracetam?

Piracetam and other racetams have been popular in the blogosphere in recent years. They are known as nootropics or “smart drugs,” and they are synthetic substances that help your brain work at a higher level. There are lots of other nootropics, both synthetic and natural.

A few other synthetic nootropics include noopept, modafinil, and aniracetam, among others. Natural nootropics include ginkgo biloba, American ginseng, and L-theanine. Actually, even caffeine qualifies! Have you ever used coffee for cognitive enhancement?

Most of us started using coffee not because of the taste but because we wanted our brains to wake up and work. Coffee / caffeine is the most widely used nootropic on the planet.

How does Piracetam work?

Piracetam is a byproduct of the calming neurotransmitter, GABA. Piracetam has lots of different effects on the body.

● It can help cell membranes restore fluidity. ● It is helpful for blood flow and is considered protective of the brain. ● It's also anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) ● and can improve neuroplasticity making it easier to learn new things.

It likely works by stimulating the brain’s production of acetylcholine and glutamate, and perhaps through increasing cell membrane permeability.

One of the results is that it protects the cells against hypoxia -- low oxygen levels.

In general, while piracetam has been tested and invegated for over 3 decades we still don’t totally understand how it works and all that it does.

What’s piracetam used for?

Biohackers like it for cognitive enhancement and productivity as it improves memory, motivation, concentration, and attention.

While piracetam is not FDA approved as a drug, it has been used "off label" for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Some other conditions which may benefit, according to studies, include vertigo, dyslexia, cognitive support after heart bypass surgery, and even sickle cell anemia.

What do the studies say?

A review study of 184 coronary bypass surgery patients with “postoperative cognitive dysfunction” (POCD) indicated that taking piracetam before surgery might prevent cognitive decline after surgery.

The cognitive dysfunction associated with bypass surgery has a range of effects. It can prolong hospital stays, increase health problems, resulting in decreased quality of life… or even death.

In the analysis, those taking piracetam before surgery had better scores on cognitive function post-surgery than those taking a placebo. This study suggest Piracetam could be a pre-surgery brain protective supplement.

Piracetam may also help those with other types of brain issues, including head trauma, brain inflammation, vertigo, and strokes.

In a study of 100 vertigo patients, participants received the drug betahistine, one of the most common medications given for vertigo, or piracetam. After 1 week, results were compared.

There were no significant differences between the two medicines in terms of results or side effects. Piracetam seems to be a valid alternative to betahistine.

How to take: So, how much piracetam should you take? Most clinical trials have used ​ 4,800mg per day. The range for adults is 1,200mg to 4,800mg studies. It’s probably best to take in divided doses, up to 1,600mg three times a day to total 4,800mg.

Personally, I like taking 1,200mg to 2,400mg on a day when I’m looking for more brain power. Or if I have surgery I will load up ahead of time.

Precautions: Be careful if you are on blood thinners, as piracetam has an anti-clotting ​ effect. It’s safe up to 18 months in adults at a dose of 3,200mg a day, and possibly at a higher dose for a shorter period. Alzheimer’s patients used 8,000mg daily in a year-long study without side effects.

Lastly, as with any drug or supplement do not stay on this indefinitely. Doing intermittent stops every few months or dry out periods is always a good idea.

Resources:

Arhami Dolatabadi, A., Larimi, S., & Safaie, A. (2019, January 23). Oral piracetam VS Betahistine IN Outpatient management of PERIPHERAL Vertigo; a randomized clinical trial. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6377226/

Examine.com. (2018, October 01). Piracetam supplement - Science-based review on Benefits, Dosage, side effects. Retrieved from https://examine.com/supplements/piracetam/ ​

Fang, Y., Qiu, Z., Hu, W., Yang, J., Yi, X., Huang, L., & Zhang, S. (2014, February). Effect of piracetam on the cognitive performance of patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery: A meta-analysis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3881046/ ​

Piracetam. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/ratings/piracetam ​

Piracetam. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB09210 ​

Suliman, N., Mat Taib, C., Mohd Moklas, M., Adenan, M., Hidayat Baharuldin, M., & Basir, R. (2016). Establishing natural nootropics: Recent molecular enhancement influenced by natural nootropic. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5021479/ ​

Winblad, B. (2006, June 07). Piracetam: A review of pharmacological properties and Clinical uses - Winblad - 2005 - CNS drug reviews - Wiley online library. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1527-3458.2005.tb00268.x?sid=nlm%3Apubme d

27. The 6 Supplement Stack to Stop Any Diarrhea Flare Up

If you're reading this, you're probably somebody who struggles with diarrhea… and it might only be a couple times a day.

Or you might be like I was 12 years ago and you're having diarrhea 15 times a day.

Either way, when you have diarrhea, we give it a nickname called "A Flare" or "A Flare-up."

Many times, those of us with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's may even notice a flare includes more symptoms than just diarrhea.

You might notice the blood increases.

You might notice you have fevers, joint pain, or achiness.

You might even feel flu-like symptoms.

You might even have to lie in bed all day and have ZERO energy. And all these symptoms fall into a diarrhea flare.

Let's call it a "Flare" for short.

So what supplements are the best for diarrhea flares?

If you asked that question to 100 different people, you'd likely get 100 different answers.

We've done it… and we've helped many personal clients stop their diarrhea in a few days using the following supplements, which is why we've carefully laid them out for you here.

1. Collagen: 2 tablespoons in morning and night

● Great Lakes ● Dr. Bernd Friedlander

Collagen supplements are great for flare support, they naturally are anti-inflammatory. They also support recovery in almost every cell in the body. A natural source of high amounts of glycine, lysine, and proline, which are all needed to heal your gut. Not to mention, it's going to help your joints, skin, hair, and nails.

2. Digestive enzymes, 1-6 pills with each main meal

● Good: Now Foods Digest Platinum ​ ● Better: Pure Encapsulations Digestive Enzymes Ultra ​ ● Best: Enzymedica Digest Gold ​

Your digestion is moving too fast. There are likely many things triggering your diarrhea, but one of the most common problems is a lack of pancreatic enzymes. Pancreatic enzymes are secreted into the small intestine after a complex feedback network tells the body food is ready to be broken down further. If even one small step gets messed up, the signals won't arrive in time or at all. We need to make sure you break down every bit of food you can and absorb it. Having Digestive Enzymes with every meal is going to help us ensure that you can absorb at least some of what you're eating. Not only that, but most people struggle to digest healthy fats during a diarrhea flare.

NOTE: Start with 1 pill per meal. Then work up to 6 pills per meal if needed.

Most people report the greatest benefit at 2 pills per meal. You can try up to 4 or 6 pills with each meal if you'd like. It's been our experience that some will need that many to help with diarrhea. It seems roughly 25% of people we work with experience mild stomach discomfort from digestive enzymes. It's likely from the proteases irritating gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining). If you experience this mild stomach burning sensation, start with ¼ or ½ of a pill and work up slowly until you no longer have the pain.

3. Vitamin D3, at least 1000mg per 25lbs of body weight

Vitamin D3 actually functions as a hormone in the body.

Low vitamin D3 status is associated with chronic inflammation and leaky gut (especially in those with IBD).

Remember, both inflammation, and leaky gut are filling up your bathtub. Vitamin D is involved in almost every reaction in your body, but most importantly, your inflammatory response and how leaky your gut is…

Research links low vitamin D status to almost every known disease of civilization.

Vitamin D3 supplementation is a very powerful way to lower inflammation in the body while supporting the normal functions of the body.

The best brands of Vitamin D are...

● Good: Now Foods Vitamin D-3 2000IU - (8 pills in AM with food) ​ ● Better: Carlson Vitamin D-3 2000IU - (8 pills in AM with food) ​ ● Best: Life Extension Vitamin D-3 1000IU - (16 pills in the AM with food) ​

After 7 days of supplementation down to 1000IU per 25lbs bodyweight. For example, a 150lb person would take 6000IU a day. Three months after starting supplementation, get your vitamin D levels tested with your doctor.

It is not a good idea to supplement with Vitamin D3 all the time unless you're working with a trained doctor and getting regular 25-Hydroxy blood testing to monitor your levels. The general rule of thumb is to stop after 3 months unless testing suggests otherwise.

4. Zinc l-carnosine, 2 pills with the first meal

Zinc L-Carnosine has been shown to help improve leaky gut in IBD and therefore, lower inflammation in the gut.

Several research studies have shown specifically that, zinc L-Carnosine benefits inflamed tissues of the stomach and intestines.

All of which are problems for people with Crohn's, Colitis, Celiac Disease, and IBS. Please know, not all zinc supplements will have this effect, and they must be the form mentioned above.

This is the active form (and the form used in all the research studies).

The best brands for price, quality, and effectiveness are...

● Good: Doctor's Best PepZin GI - (dosage: 3 pills a day) ​ ● Better: Swanson Ultra Zinc Carnosine - (dosage 3 pills a day) ​ ● Best: Metagenics ZinLori 75 - (dosage: 2 pills a day) ​

Note: Keep taking between meals 2x a day until the bottle is gone. It is not suggested for long term supplement usage.

5. Vitamin C, 2-3 grams daily 1 pill per meal

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps protect against oxidative stress. It helps us detoxify our bodies, promotes healing of all of our cells, and allows us to better deal with stress. It also supports the good bacteria in our gut, destroys detrimental bacteria and viruses, neutralizes harmful free radicals, removes heavy metals, protects us from pollution, and much more. In general, it's great to take during a flare.

6. High-Quality Fish Oil

The scientific research has shown over and over again that fish oil is anti-inflammatory.

Fish oil is filled with extremely anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids.

These fatty acids powerfully influence the inflammation pathways at the cellular level, especially in the brain. This is one of the most critical 'bathtub lowering' supplements we have in our tool belt. Because you're in a flare, it's important to start with what Robb Wolf calls the "all banged up" dosage. It's a bit higher than what you'd normally consume. But these amazing fats are wonderful during a flare.

The key is to pick a brand that is high quality, therefore avoiding toxins, rancid acids, and other impurities. Your goal is to get around 6 grams a day of EPA + DHA.

To figure this out, look at the back of any brand and add the listed EPA and DHA values (or just use the brands we recommend below).

The best brands of fish oil are...

● Good Liquid: Carlson's Lemon Fish Oil - (Dosage: 3 teaspoons in AM w/ food and 2 ​ teaspoons in PM w/ food) ● Good Pills: NutriGold Triple Strength Omega-3 Gold - (Dosage 3 pills in AM w/ ​ food and 3 pills in PM w/ food) ● Best: Stronger Faster Healthier Super Omega 3 Fish Oil - (Lemon or Mint flavors) ​ (Dosage: 2 teaspoons in AM w/ food and 1 teaspoon in PM w/ food)

NOTE: After 7 days, lower the dosage down to 3 grams of EPA+DHA per day and use the ​ back of your bottle to figure out your new dosage amount. For example: on day 8 you would only take 1 teaspoon of the Stronger Faster Healthier Super Omega Fish oil per day.

28. Japanese Drug Rivals CoQ10 For Brain Health Idebenone was developed in Japan in the 1980s.

It is a synthetic drug used to treat neurodegenerative disease. Its structure is similar to that of ubiquinone, more commonly known as Coenzyme Q10, an important antioxidant that has an essential role in mitochondrial energy production via the Electron Transport Chain (ETC).

How does it work?

The way idebenone may work is through interacting with the ETC, increasing ATP (energy) production. In this way, it’s able to improve mitochondrial function, reduce free radicals, prevent the oxidation of fats, and generally protect the cell membrane and mitochondria (energy producers of the cell) from getting damaged.

Because it’s so useful for mitochondrial function and ATP production, idebenone can even help those with inherited genetic diseases.

The great thing is that now it’s available over the counter as a supplement, so you can order and try it for yourself. More on my experience with it later...

Alzheimer’s Disease

In a study of 102 patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, 45mg twice a day of Idebenone improved memory, attention, and behavior in the patients over 4 months.

Additional studies (including 3 double-blind, randomized controlled trials with 83, 203, and 450 Alzheimer’s patients) also reported that idebenone improved attention, memory, and behavioral dosages of either 360 mg/day or 270 mg/day. Idebenone also slowed the cognitive decline.

However, it’s not without controversy. There have been some mixed results with idebenone. In a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of 500 Alzheimer’s patients, treatment with idebenone at 120, 240, or 360 mg/3x a day did not slow down cognitive decline throughout the year-long study.

Genetic Diseases

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic muscle disease that affects 1 out of ​ 5,000 boys. It is one of the most severe muscular disorders to affect children, and if left untreated boys end up in wheelchairs by the age of 12. Not only that, but heart and lung issues related to the disease generally result in death by age 20.

In two different studies (randomized controlled trials) of patients with DMD, those treated with idebenone at 900 mg/day had improved lung function with fewer complications.

Leber’s disease, otherwise known as Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), is ​ another rare genetic condition that leads to rapid and progressive vision loss. It is the most common mitochondrial disorder.

Idebenone is the only disease-specific drug that has been approved to treat adolescents and adults with this disease. Studies have shown that oral idebenone taken at 900mg/day for 24 weeks helped to prevent further vision loss and even cause some vision improvement depending on the progression of the disease.

Friedreich’s ataxia is a genetically inherited neurodegenerative disease that causes ​ progressive damage to the spinal cord nerve tissue. It affects children and young adults. Symptoms include impaired movement and speech. It may also cause heart problems.

Most patients with this condition are deficient in a mitochondrial protein called frataxin, which results in an impaired electron transport chain and lowers ATP (energy) production.

In a study of Friedreich’s ataxia patients treated with idebenone, improvements were made in brain function and activities of daily living over 6 months. The higher dose was more effective than the lower doses (dosages: 5 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, and 45 mg/kg).

How to use: You can typically buy Idebenone in 150mg capsules. Start with 150mg once a ​ day and progress from there depending on tolerance. Side effects are most likely to occur with a single, larger dose, such as 1,050mg, and included insomnia, pain, nausea, anxiety, fatigue, headache, loose stool, or attention issues.

Personally, I heard about it a few years ago, bought some and started playing around with doses. I noticed an immediate effect on the clarity of my thinking.

I ended up using 450mg a day for 8 weeks and really liked how I was feeling. However, after 12 weeks of usage I ran out and stopped using it to see what would happen. I didn’t notice much off a drop off and when ever I’ve tried it since I haven’t noticed much effect.

I suspect in regular people who may have mild mitochondrial issues (like I did) that there’s a way to repair them and that after they are back working the CoQ10 and it’s derivatives like Idebenone are much less helpful.

Resources:

Cohen, J. (2019, August 15). Uses of idebenone + side effects. Retrieved August 24, 2019, from https://selfhacked.com/blog/idebenone/

FDA turns DOWN Santhera Pharmaceuticals' request for accelerated approval for Idebenone to Treat DMD. (2018, June 18). Retrieved from https://www.mda.org/press-releases/fda-turns-down-santhera-pharmaceuticals%E2%80%99-req uest-accelerated-approval-idebenone-treat

Idebenone. (2019, August 02). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idebenone ​

Idebenone. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB09081 ​

Jaber, S., & Polster, B. (2015, April). Idebenone and Neuroprotection: Antioxidant, pro-oxidant, or electron CARRIER? Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4487815/ ​

Lyseng-Williamson, K. (2016, May). Idebenone: A review IN Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27071925 ​

Montenegro, L., Turnaturi, R., Parenti, C., & Pasquinucci, L. (2018, February 5). Idebenone: Novel strategies to improve its systemic and Local Efficacy. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5853719/

Yan, A., Liu, Z., Song, L., Wang, X., Zhang, Y., Wu, N., . . . Liu, Z. (2019, January 9). Idebenone alleviates Neuroinflammation and Modulates MICROGLIAL polarization in LPS-Stimulated Bv2 cells AND Mptp-induced Parkinson's Disease Mice. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6333870/

29. The Powerful Anti-Anxiety Treatment No One Is Talking About

In general, depending on the demands of my life I tend to suffer from generalized anxiety. If I don't take care of myself like back when I was really sick I can start to get panic attacks.

Luckily, I haven’t had one since 2008 when I switched my diet and begin my quest for health. However the anxiety pops up from time to time.

So I checked in with some Renegades I know and one of them suggested I check out Afobazole. I bought some and started testing it.

While it didn’t seem to take the anxiety “away”, it did seem to have me feeling more positive and peaceful feelings making the anxiety much less important.

Now that I’ve gotten through that period and done the research I feel that Afobazole is a great anti-anxiety drug that should be getting a lot more awareness than it does.

What is Afobazole?

In 2005, Afobazole (Fabomotizole) was approved in Russia for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders.

“Studies have suggested that afobazole may be neuroprotective in various pathophysiological models. For example, in vitro, studies have shown that afobazole can decrease neuronal death caused by oxidative stress and glutamate excitotoxicity (Zenina et al., 2005). In vivo studies have shown that afobazole can increase survival rates and decrease neurological deficits in rats suffering from post-traumatic hematoma.” ​

“Acting on σ1-receptors in the brain nerve cells, Afobazole stabilizes GABA / benzodiazepine receptors and restores their sensitivity to endogenous mediators of inhibition. Afobazole also increases the bioenergetic potential of neurons and exerts neuroprotective properties (restores and protects nerve cells).”

Why Afobazole Needs More Coverage:

The most interesting study on anxiety was a 4 week randomized controlled trial of 30mg a day of Afobazole vs. another anxiety drug Diazepam (Valium) 30mg a day.

This comparative study looked at 100 afobazole patients vs. 50 Valium patients. 72% of the afobazole patients and 58% of the Valium patients had significant decreases in Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

More importantly, there were only 15 adverse events (Afobazole) vs. 199 adverse events ​ (Valium), and there were no withdrawal issues in Afobazole vs. 68% of the Valium patients having withdrawal issues.

It was this study that prompted me to test it out.

My experience was at 30mg per day, it produced a mild lift in the mood by day 2, and a slight increase in cognitive awareness, and by day 4 was allowing me to have less racing thoughts. Therefore it seemed like my anxiety was less intense for my life.

More recently Afobazole is being studied in strokes and head injuries. It appears to be very powerfully protective in rats and mice. Further studies need to be done, but it has a surprisingly good safety profile compared to other anxiety drugs.

If you decide to give it a try, use 10mg 3x per day and give it a full seven days to start feeling the effect. If can be found by simple searching online and always make sure to check with your doctor ahead of time incase of drug interactions.

Resources:

Behensky, A., A., Katnik, Christopher, Yin, Huquan, . . . Javier. (2019, April 11). Activation of SIGMA receptors With Afobazole MODULATES MICROGLIAL, but Not Neuronal, Apoptotic gene expression in response to Long-Term ischemia exposure. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2019.00414/full

CosmicNootropic.com. (n.d.). Afobazole [Fabomotizole] INSTRUCTION. Retrieved from https://cosmicnootropic.com/pages/afobazole-instruction

Cuevas, J., Behensky, A., Deng, W., & Katnik, C. (2011, October). Afobazole modulates NEURONAL response to ischemia and acidosis via activation OF sigma-1 receptors. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21715562

Fabomotizole. (2019, January 08). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabomotizole ​

Kalinina, T., Shimshirt, A., Volkova, A., Korolev, A., & Voronina, T. (2016). ANXIOLYTIC effects of diazepam AND AFOBAZOLE on the anxiety Response evoked by GABA(A) RECEPTOR blockade IN Wistar rats and inbred mice OF BALB/C and C57bi/6 STRAINS. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30085476

Katnik, C., Garcia, A., Behensky, A., Yasny, I., Shuster, A., Seredenin, S., . . . Cuevas, J. (2014, February). Treatment with afobazole at delayed time points following ischemic stroke improves long-term functional and histological outcomes. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24141021

Reutova, M., Siuniakov, S., Siuniakov, T., & Neznamov, G. (2010, September). Anxiolytic afobazole action self-evaluated by patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21086645

Seredenin, S., & Voronin, M. (2009). Neuroreceptor mechanisms of THE afobazole effect. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19334502 ​

Seredenin, S., Molodavkin, G., Voronin, M., & Voronina, T. (2009). Antidepressant properties of Afobazole in PORSOLT and NOMURA TESTS. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19334505

Vislobokov, A., Ignatov, I., & Seredenin, S. (2012). Afobazole effect on the electrical activity of neurons. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22891434 ​

Volkova, A., Kalinina, T., & Voronina, T. (2010, October). Comparative study of the interoceptive effects of afobazole and diazepam. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21254504

30. Four "Healthy" Foods That Could Be Making You Sicker

"How many of you started eating a real food diet, whether it's Paleo, SCD, GAPS, or WAPF, because of digestive problems?"

About 75% of the people in the room raised their hand. I was speaking at a Weston A. Price Foundation meeting, and it shocked me to see so many hands in the air.

"WOW, ok. Please keep your hand up if you STILL have digestive problems, even though you're eating a real food diet."

Only a few hands went down… again, shocked!

So if you're eating a "real food" type diet and still have stomach problems… you're not alone. Maybe it's annoying gas and bloating after meals. Or bouts of painful constipation. Worse yet, perhaps it's gut-wrenching diarrhea that won't stop.

Any way you cut it, it's frustrating to eat all the "right" foods and still deal with stomach problems.

What gives? How can you eat a nutrient-dense, non-toxic, real-food diet, and still feel bad?

There could be any number of root causes behind why diet isn't working for you, but the easiest place to start is the food you're eating. When it comes to digestive problems, four common foods wreak havoc for many people.

What About FODMAPS and Nightshades?

If you're anything like me, you probably already tried eliminating high FODMAP foods and nightshades to see if they were the culprit.

If removing those foods wasn't enough to make you feel better, then you could be having problems with other foods you never thought about. There's even a subgroup of people who feel worse after starting Paleo.

After helping thousands of people make a few extra tweaks to their diet before they finally felt better, we found the first step always begins with what we call "the four dark horsemen."

The 4 Dark Horseman of Real Food

There are four sneaky real food items you could be eating every single day and have no idea they're making you sicker. Here's a breakdown of the "4 Dark Horsemen," beginning with the worst offender:

1. Nuts and Nut Flours

The common mistake: we hear from people every day consuming WAY TOO MANY nuts ​ and nut flours. We're all looking for ways to spend less time in the kitchen, and nuts are an easy way to snack and eat quick meals. Not only that, but there are a lot of people who love to eat Paleo baked goodies every day like pancakes, muffins, or cake. Either way, the problem arises when nuts and nut flours become the bulk of your diet. If you can't remember the last time you ate nut-free for a day, then I'm looking at you. Nuts can be hard on the gut. They are tough for people with stomach problems to break down and digest.

The bottom line: if you're finding undigested nuts in your stools or you eat them regularly ​ and still have digestive issues, it's a good sign you need to test removing them from your diet.

2. Eggs

The common mistake: eggs are fast and easy to make, especially if you aren't sure what to ​ eat for breakfast. Eggs are an excellent, nutrient-dense food and can be an integral part of the Paleo diet for a healthy person. But if you have leaky gut, the Albumin protein in egg white can slip past the intestinal wall and get into your body… and if it gets in your body, it can cause a reaction. So if you're dealing with stomach problems, eating eggs every day may be the one thing making your life miserable.

The bottom line: signs like post-nasal drip and brain fog are common symptoms of egg ​ reactions. Another sign this food might need to be removed would be if you're eating eggs for breakfast every day and have mid-morning cramping, bloating, or diarrhea. Eggs are great go-to food, except for many of us with gut problems.

3. Too much fruit/honey

The common mistake: we hear from a lot of people that love their morning smoothie. Or ​ they like to eat fruit with every meal and top everything with a squeeze of honey. The problem arises when these same people tell us they don't feel good on a Paleo Diet. There's a reason for this. Eating too much sugar can promote gut dysbiosis like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth or yeast issues. Also, there's a subset of us that don't absorb fructose very well, which can lead to increased water in the intestines and faster transient time.

The bottom line: if you have digestive symptoms like diarrhea, gas, or cramping, take a ​ look at how much fruit or honey you eat in a single day. Keeping it down around two servings a day might make all the difference in the world for your GI problems.

4. Dairy

The common mistake: dairy is a grey zone, and some don't consider it Paleo… but no ​ matter where you stand on the topic, we still hear from a lot of people every day that eat cheese or try fermented foods like Kefir and 24-hour fermented yogurt that still feel horrible.

The casein protein in milk can slip past your intestinal lining and trigger an immune response, wreaking havoc in your body. Especially if you have Leaky Gut Syndrome.

Dairy reactions can range from brain fog, post-nasal drip, and skin problems to diarrhea and constipation.

The bottom line: many people with gut problems can't tolerate dairy. If you're eating ​ dairy and feel bad, it's critical to remove it and see how you feel after it's out of your system. This food is all or nothing. Even one bite can continue to give you fits.

Are these "Dark Horsemen" making you sick?

There's only one way to know for sure: Test it.

Test removing the "four dark horsemen" using our 3-day rule.

The idea behind the "3-day rule" is to think like an engineer and conduct an experiment. Try removing the four horsemen for 3 full days to get them out of your system and see how you feel.

If you feel better, that's a good sign these foods were the source of your symptoms. But it might not be all of them.

We believe everyone that doesn't feel that better on a Paleo diet should test removing the four dark horsemen at some point.

You never really know if you've been living in a fog until you clear your head.

After removing them, you can test re-introducing them one at a time using the same strategy. For example, if you wanted to try eggs again, here's how you could test it by ramping up slowly over 3-days:

Day 1: Eat ½ a hardboiled egg Day 2: Eat 1 egg Day 3: Eat 2 eggs sunny side up

The most important thing is to keep everything else in your diet the same, then look for any symptoms telling you eggs are a problem.

Find the custom version of a real food diet that works best for you.

For most people, it's only a few tweaks away from feeling really amazing.

31. Use Trees to Boost Your Immune System, Fight Cancer, and Beat Disease

The science is getting crystal clear: Spending time in nature powerfully boosts your immune system.

Japanese culture has known this for centuries.

For generations, they've regularly practiced something called shinrin-yoku, which roughly translates to "forest bathing."

These casual visits to the woods naturally increase the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, part of the immune system that fights tumors and viruses (really important).

In one study, a three-day trip to the forest resulted in significantly higher NK activity and showed that the increase of cells remained 30 days after they were back home.

NK cells have the power to kill tumor cells by releasing anti-cancer proteins, which means that forest bathing can even help your body fight Cancer.

Research shows that spending time in the forest boosts immunity reduces stress, and reduces incidences of depression and anxiety.

If you're not convinced, you need to be spending more time in the woods… it doesn't stop there.

It Helps Your Heart

Being in nature lowers blood pressure, reduces pulse rate, and increases heart rate variability (that's a really good thing).

It Prevents Against Things Like Alzheimer's Disease

Recent studies have shown that people who have more time around green forests have a slower cognitive decline.

It Helps With Diabetes

Another recent study found blood glucose levels dropped after forest bathing.

It Even Helps You Live Longer

What's even more interesting is that numerous studies are finding that people who live in green areas live longer and have less risk of kidney disease, cancer, and stroke.

Spend Time "Forest Bathing"

If you live near the woods or the mountains, make it a priority to wander for at least 30-minutes each week.

If you live in a city, find a park or green space that you can enjoy every week, even in the winter.

I currently live in Montana, and I know that the more time I spend in the mountains, even if it's just a quick hike, the better I feel on a day to day basis.

The research is clear: weekly forest bathing for 30-minutes can directly improve your ​ health, everything from your blood to your cells to your well being.

Resources:

Campos, M. (2017, November 22). Heart rate variability: A new way to track well-being. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/heart-rate-variability-new-way-track-well-2017112212789

Cherrie, M., Shortt, N., Mitchell, R., Taylor, A., Redmond, P., Thompson, C., . . . Pearce, J. (2018, January). Green space and Cognitive AGEING: A RETROSPECTIVE life-course analysis in the Lothian birth Cohort 1936. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29128786 ​ ​

Exposure to greenness and mortality in a nationwide prospective cohort study of women. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1510363 ​ ​

Hu, Z., Liebens, J., & Rao, K. (2008, May 1). Linking stroke mortality with air POLLUTION, income, and greenness in NORTHWEST Florida: An ecological geographical study. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2396612/

Li, Q. (2010, January). Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793341/

Mitchell, R., & Popham, F. (2008, November 8). Effect of exposure to natural environment on health inequalities: An observational population study. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18994663

Ohtsuka, Y., Yabunaka, N., & Takayama, S. (1998, February). Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing and walking) effectively DECREASES blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9531856

Park, B., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kasetani, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010, January). The physiological effects OF shinrin-yoku (taking in the FOREST atmosphere or FOREST Bathing): Evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793346/

Residential surrounding Greenness and cognitive Decline: A 10-YEAR follow-up of the Whitehall ii cohort. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP2875 ​ ​

Takano, T., Fu, J., Nakamura, K., Uji, K., Fukuda, Y., Watanabe, M., & Nakajima, H. (2002, September). Age-adjusted mortality and its association to variations in urban conditions in Shanghai. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12098518 ​ ​

Tsunetsugu, Y., Park, B., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010, January). Trends in research related to "Shinrin-yoku" (taking in the FOREST atmosphere or FOREST BATHING) in Japan. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793347/