NUUN : Product Review

I was asked to do a product review on NUUN for runners.

Please understand that I have not used this product and do not intend to use it. I also do not sell it.

This is just my perspective after looking through the companies web site.

What is NUUN?

Nuun (pronounced like noon) is an electrolyte replacement tablet product. The tablet is dissolved in water. The makers claim that it will replace all the minerals necessary for an endurance athlete, thereby assisting in hydration, as well as helping to fight fatigue and cramping. Many people claim that it helps them.

The first problem I see for runners is that the product has to be used in a bottle. Many runners do not like to carry bottles, particularly during a race. This would work well for bicycle riders who normally carry a water bottle. However most runners would prefer something they can just take out of a pocket and down quickly with a gulp or two of water from an aid station. This product can not be used that way.

The next thing I noticed is that their literature is a little misleading in that it claims that the reduction that users have noticed in cramping is due to the mineral content. While this is partially true, the bigger effect from this product in reducing cramps would probably be from the bicarbonate in it. Yes, bicarbonate involves minerals, but there is more to it than that.

I might also mention that bicarbonate can be irritating to the digestive tract.

While looking at the ingredient list, I next noticed that it contains sorbitol. Sorbitol can cause some problems for some people, so just be aware that that is part of the mix.

The other ingredient that I would have a problem with is polyethylene glycol. This product can also cause gastrointestinal problems for some people. It is used to help to break down minerals as well as so slow down some body processes. It can slow up the immune system functions as well. It is used as a laxative, and should not be used by pregnant individuals, or people with bowel troubles. It also should not be used without first talking to your doctor if you are on any prescription medications.

Of course, they are just using a very small amount of polyethylene glycol, and it is considered to be safe by the FDA in low doses.

Overall, I would not recommend the use of this product for most runners.

Of course I do recognize that it is important to replace electrolytes that the body uses up during endurance training and events. But it is my belief that there are better products than this one out there.

I would suggest something like eDISCS made by the Medion Corporation.
No, I don't sell those either.

Other questions? Please ask.

Why Cancer Survivor Doesn't Do Walk-A-Thons

As a cancer survivor, I'm often approached about joining a run or a walk to help raise money for cancer research. I don't participate. But I do run marathons. Why?

Let me say that I have great love for the compassionate souls who choose to participate in, and promote these events. I just can't bring myself to do it.

You see, I have done a lot of study about cancer. And I cannot support the whole idea of researching to find more drugs, radiations, and surgeries to fix a problem which can be easily solved by teaching people to live a healthy lifestyle.

Here is what I believe, after all of my research about cancer.

There are simple steps that can be taken by people to avoid getting cancer, that are generally accepted to be very effective.

There are also very effective natural means to treat those already diagnosed with cancer, without having to resort to the awful destructiveness of drugs, radiation, and surgery.

Now, of course, this will depend on the circumstances of each individual case. In some cases, if the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage, or the body has become significantly compromised, drugs and chemotherapy can help to save a life. That's a good thing.

Cancer doctors and cancer institutes are doing the best they can to help people survive. I don't hold any of that against them. I just think that if they would put their resources to use in the direction of better education for the public at large, the epidemic of cancer in our society could be drastically curtailed.

Education about what causes cancer, and what cancer actually is, could easily drop cancer rates substantially. Eating fresh green veggies and avoiding artificial, chemical ingredients in our food would make a huge difference all by it's self. Stopping the use of microwave ovens is also an important step which could solve many problems.

Another big step in the right direction would be to help people understand estrogen overload. Estrogen overload is very closely related to the incidence of cancer. Eliminating excess polyunsaturated oils from our diets will make a huge improvement in that direction.

Read some of Ray Peats articles to understand fats and oils better.

I would support an organization that would use it's resources to shout out the message that we already know how to conquer cancer. We don't need more death and destruction caused by more drugs and radiation.

But every cancer event I've been invited to, is mostly about creating more drugs and radiation protocols to use after someone is already diagnosed with cancer.

Some will say that I am unfair, because I went through traditional cancer treatments and am alive to talk about it. But I survived because, I fought hard to survive. I used many herbs and vitamins and whole foods. I had the mental mind set that I would survive and beat the cancer. This is one of the strongest indicators as to who will survive a bout with cancer.

I also survived because of a loving family and much prayer. God has blessed me in so many ways, and He still blesses me. Every cancer patient needs a great support team.

I was one who needed drastic measures to combat my cancer. I was already fourth stage when it was discovered that I had cancer. Heavy duty chemotherapy helped to break up the cancer in my body so that my body could clear it out. Other drugs were used to help boost my immune system as well.

But chemotherapy and other drugs are very hard on the body. Good hydration, good nutrition, good attitude, body balancing foods, and even some exercise, are needed for the body to rebuild and become healthy after the chemotherapy has caused so much destruction.

Most cancer doctors and cancer institutes do not talk about this very important need. To feed the body the proper resources that it needs to actually heal and rebuild. They act like somehow they are going to cure you by causing all this destruction in your body. Some survive the onslaught, some don't.

The statistical ineffectiveness of the standard medical protocols is obvious to those who want to look. Drugs can not create balance in a human body, only more imbalance. If they work, then why are we asking for so much more money to try to find ones that really will work? Why are cancer rates still increasing? Why is it that 97% of people who survive these standard cancer treatments, are using natural and alternative treatments at the same time. Why are many who die after traditional cancer treatment, found to be cancer free when the autopsy is done? Can it be that the treatment killed them?

Yes, chemotherapy will kill cancer. We know that. But it doesn't only kill cancer. It is by nature destructive to the whole organism. Why not teach people how to build a strong body through healthy lifestyle?

Instead we leave people to try to find their own ways to overcome the destructive drug therapies. So cancer patients end up spending all kinds of money on all kinds of pills and potions, that are peddled by all kinds of people.

So, as you can see, I do believe that we need to have better treatments for those who have cancer, but I do not believe that drug research can get us to that point. The drugs are very helpful in drastic cases to help save human life. But unless we teach people the importance of recovering and rebuilding from the destructiveness of the drugs, we are not really helping them.

Give me an organization that will push for doctors and institutes to vigorously teach people to live healthy lifestyles, and I will march in that walk-a-thon.

Let me know what you think.

Water : You Need To Know This

I often mention the importance of drinking plenty of good clean water. It is the fundamental element needed for good health.

But perhaps I don't always make clear some of the very important things that you should know about drinking water. Let's fix that right now!

Do NOT drink chlorinated water until the chlorine has been removed. Chlorine kills bacteria. That is why we put it in water. But if it is still in the water when you drink it, it will also kill the good bacteria in your gut that is important for proper digestion and nutrition.

Do NOT drink fluoridated water. Fluoride is a poison. One of it's nasty little side effects is that it allows soft tissue (for instance the brain) to absorb heavy metals. That is not good! It may well be one of the major causes for so many people getting Alzheimer's disease these days. Besides that, (here's the dirty little secret) it really isn't good for your teeth.

DO drink mineral water. Not the fancy store bought kind. That is not necessary. But if you live near a natural spring, that is generally a very good source of drinking water.

I recommend that you make your own mineral water. (I'll tell you how in a minute.)

You have probably already read that I suggest that people try to drink a cup of water for every 10 pounds of body weight daily. That means that if you weigh 160 pounds, you should drink 16 cups of water during a 24 hour period.

Why so much water? Because water makes everything in the body work. Most people walk around in a perpetual state of dehydration. When your body doesn't have enough water it can't rid itself of toxic wastes that build up in the body from our polluted environment and from our processed foods. Without water, nutrition cannot be moved through the body to get to the places where the body needs it, even if you do eat good food.

High blood pressure is actually a sign that the body is dehydrated.

In today's society, we need plenty of water to flush out toxins. Particularly if you want to lose excess weight, or cleanse the body of disease.

You will find many recommendations all around for systems to cleanse the body, or parts thereof. But by far the best way to cleanse is to make sure that you get plenty of mineral water.

Getting minerals with your water is important, because otherwise you could flush too many minerals out of your body and cause other problems. The minerals allow the cells of your body to use the water.

One example of the importance of minerals in your water: Drinking excess water without minerals can cause constipation due to the mineral deficiency. However drinking salt water will end constipation quite readily.

If you drink lots of water, but don't get the necessary minerals, your cells can't use the water.

I suggest you use Redmond Real Salt for your minerals. It is a product taken from ancient sea beds. It contains all necessary minerals and trace-minerals for human health.

Use clean water, (I just use reverse osmosis filtered water) and put in a pinch of Redmond Real Salt. Just do it to taste. Basically, an 8th of a teaspoon will treat 3 or 4 cups of water.

I do this with nearly all the water I drink.

Or you can use this Himalayan Salt that Dr. Mercola has arranged to bring to the U.S.
Click HERE to find out about it.

Back to Basics : It Really Is This Simple.

People are always looking for that magic pill that is going to solve their problems.
Here is my last response to one of those questions like "Are there any good pills for...":

"Not that will do you any long term good, in my opinion.

But try this.
Cut out all sugar, caffeine, vegetables oils, and artificial sweeteners from your diet.
Eat whole grains and veggies as much as possible, along with fresh fruit.
Make sure that your are drinking lots of good clean water.
Start with a minimum of 12 cups of water daily. Put a pinch of real sea salt (with all the trace-minerals in it) in each cup of water.

And to help balance everything out and help heal the nerves, etc, take 3 or 4 tablespoons of coconut oil a day.

Also make sure you are getting regular exercise. At least 20 minutes at a time, at least 3 days a week.

Also, try to get to sleep 2 or 3 hours before midnight each night."

I think most people would be amazed at the improvement in health if they would just try these simple basic things.

LDN - Low Dose Naltrexone

There has been a lot of hubbub these days about Low-Dose-Naltrexone.

Here are the basics about it.

Naltrexone is a drug that has been used for several years to treat drug and alcohol addiction. It has some serious side effects. But they have discovered that at very low doses, (about 1/100th of a normal dose) the side effects are minimized and it helps to boost the immune system functions.

The theory is that it causes the body to release more endorphins, thus increasing immune function.

Here are my thoughts on it.

Now they are trying to sell you pills with so little active content in them you will be paying for fillers. The fillers are generally not good for you, just contributing to clogging up your system.

But the pills will be inexpensive compared to most drugs. Well, of course you do still have the expense of paying the doctor big bucks to tell you you need it.

Why buy a pill to get what you can get for free by living a healthy lifestyle?

Do you know what naturally causes your body to release more endorphins, to raise your immune function?

Check out this list:

1. exercise
2. smiling
3. laughing
4. eating spicy foods
5. eating dark chocolate

There is not a lot of time or expense involved with those, and they will most likely do you much more good than a pill.

One word of caution : don't get your dark chocolate from a sugar laden candy bar. I suggest raw cacao powder.

Well, that's what I think. Feel free to share your feelings.

Cactus Oil : Just More Snake Oil?

I've seen a few questions recently on cactus oil for health benefits.

Here is my take on it.

Cactus oil (made from prickly pear fruit, and/or seeds) is not a good idea.

Some people claim that it is good for heart health. The problem is that the only research done has much more information to take into account than blood lipid levels. The very same study that is cited to say that the blood lipid levels were better, also shows that it caused both the pancreas and the liver to enlarge. Neither one of those is good.

For those interested, here is a link to that study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T6R-4JG5FPR-5&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=9527a6634675484fc5b5a705b4e0d826

So, the cactus oil is like so many of the other vegetables oils. The companies that sell them tell you they are heart healthy, but in reality they can be very damaging to your long term health.

Personally I avoid nearly all extracted oils, including fish oils. I try to only use coconut oil, raw butter, or extra virgin olive oil. Those are the healthy ones.

Genetics : What Do We Know?

Since the human genome has been mapped, perhaps you were wondering why we haven't eliminated all disease now. Since the map was supposedly completed in 2003, haven't we had enough time to make cures for all the diseases?

This is, of course, a little bit ridiculous to expect such results. But most people don't seem to realize how ridiculous it really is.

We have learned quite a bit about genes in the last decade, so let me fill you in on some of the most interesting things we have learned.

Genetic engineering isn't nearly as accurate and precise as many of us are led to believe. It is very complex, and a little chaotic. New genetic material can be injected or shot into a mass of older genetic materials, and it is hoped that some of the new genetic material will integrate with the old. Of course one of the problems with this is that we don't know precisely which of the old genes could be affected or changed by the new genetic material. That is one of the problems with genetically modified foods. Instead of just changing the one gene that they want to change, they generally end up changing anywhere from 5% to 15% of the genes. This, of course, causes all kinds of unexpected side effects.

So, instead of easily fixing genetic disorders (which is the dream), we are actually creating other genetic disorders.

Last year it was reported in the news that they have added another 11 genes to the list of cancer-causing genes.

It just goes to show you that we still don't really know much about genes. The human genome project has helped us learn many things about genes, but there are still so many that we don't know.

I'll let you in on one of the little secrets we have learned about genes: They don't actually do anything.

I'm sure you read the last sentence a couple of times, just to make sure you read it correctly. We have been told for so many years that the genes determine everything in the human body, that we just take it for granted that that's the way it is. Let me explain a little further.

Genes do indeed hold a type of blueprint material for what our bodies may become. However, it is nothing like a blueprint that a contractor would use to build a house. It doesn't contain a set plan that must be followed as we grow and develop. Instead, it contains a whole bucket full of possibilities.

Genes are, believe it or not, inactive. They don't actually do anything. They are more like books in a library. If they are left on the shelf, then nothing is gained from them. They have to be read and acted upon by some active part of our systems in order to make any difference. That is why you can have a gene for being short, but grow very tall.

The gene is entirely dependent upon it's environment. Proteins are the carriers of genetic messages. Only certain proteins can read certain genes. The proteins go to the genes to look for solutions for particular challenges that may come their way. The body only creates the proteins that the environment calls on it to create. If you have a gene for colon cancer, but your body never creates the protein that reads that genetic sequence, then you will not get colon cancer.

The body is very complex, and there are millions of possibilities contained in our DNA. There are literally billions of possible combinations. The more we learn about genetics, the more apparent it becomes that genetics are not the determining factor in what happens to our bodies in our lives. That is why we now use the terminology "genetically predisposed".

We now know that just because you have a gene for something, that doesn't mean that that particular thing will manifest itself. As we study this process we come to the realization that the environment determines which genes will be read and acted upon. You will never get cancer if you live a lifestyle that never calls on the cancer gene.

It is starting to be realized that many of the things that we thought were genetically determined are actually environmentally determined. We are starting to see that children have many of the same attributes and challenges that their parents had because they inherited their environment from their parents. We tend to live the same life styles that we grew up with. Our internal environments start off in the internal environments of our mothers wombs. We live where our parents lived. We tend to eat the way they ate. We tend to exercise in the same ways they did. It's even been shown that we tend to use the same eye movements that our parents used, which can effect our eye sight.

That is why as our world becomes more and more polluted, we see children getting more diseases earlier in life. Many children now have diseases that people used to only get in old age. The environment is everything when it comes to genetic causes of things.

So, yes, the genes do matter. But the good news is that by changing our behavior, our environment, we can control which genes get used. A clean environment with good wholesome food creates an entirely different set of proteins than a polluted environment. The proteins then interact with the genes and take messages to the cells of the body. The body acts according to those messages.

The more polluted our environment gets, the more negative proteins we build. A polluted environment can also actually change the DNA causing even more problems. Kind of like going through the library and throwing all the books in a big mud puddle. Then when you try to read them, you only get some of the information. Some of the information can be so distorted that you get an entirely different message than the author of the book intended.

Luckily the body has a pretty good librarian. If given the time and the right materials in a clean enough environment, the librarian can repair most of the damage previously done. However, if we keep it too messy for too long, sometimes even our marvelous librarian can't fix all of the mess.

So make sure you give your librarian the proper materials, and the proper environment as soon as possible.

Just eat a high quality natural foods diet, exercise, drink plenty of good clean water, make sure you get fiber (whole raw foods), get plenty of sleep, breathe deeply and have a gratitude attitude.

Your body will take care of you, if you take care of it.

Coach G.

Oil In The Scriptures

I was asked the other day about why, if coconut oil is such a great health promoting substance, it isn't mentioned in the scriptures.

This is an interesting question. Particularly for LDS readers, who have been given a law of health to follow from living prophets of God.

If you look through the scriptures and look for references to fat you will note that in most cases, except when it is talking about the animal fats used in sacrifices, fat or fatness refers to plenty or abundance.

You might also note that it says not to eat animal fat. We now know that animal fats are where many of the toxins that an animal takes into it's body become concentrated. Even today, it is not a good idea to eat animal fats.

If you look in the scriptures for references to oil, you will find that in most cases it does not mention what type of oil. Olive oil is specified sometimes for making holy anointing oils.

The "Word of Wisdom" does not mention oils or fats specifically, and yet we know that they are an important nutrient for the body. Another interesting point is that even though the people that were given the "Word of Wisdom" were mostly farmers with chickens and cattle, there was no mention made of eggs or milk.

When the Lord said to eat the flesh of beasts sparingly, or only in times of winter or famine, he made no such restrictions on milk or eggs. It turns out that milk and eggs are both excellent sources of fat, and animals produce them in abundance. The Lord says that animals are for the benefit and use of man, but not so much for the flesh. Hmmm? I guess that leaves using them for labor and for milk and eggs.

Another important point to remember is that fat, or oil, is found in many foods. If you follow the "Word of Wisdom" you will find that you will be healthy and you will get good fats.

If grains are the staff of life, particularly wheat for man, then as you make wheat the pillar of your diet you will get many health benefits. One note of caution, it must be whole wheat. Along with the essential proteins and polyphenols, etc that you get from wheat, you will also get good fats. And as you eat fresh fruits and vegetables, you will also be eating good fats.

However, what the major medical and major media calls "essential fats" these days are in no way essential to health and may even be detrimental. The important thing to remember is that fats and oils that are extracted and concentrated are more like drugs, and can be beneficial or destructive, depending on the situation. Most polyunsaturated fats, in spite of what you have been told, are destructive in the human body.

So with all of that said, why do I push coconut oil? Most people in a diseased state today have too much polyunsaturated fats in their bodies. Coconut oil is one of the best ways to turn that around, and to do it in a fairly safe and balanced manner. Remember that I often say that balance is the key in all health. Coconut oil seems to have the ability to balance the fat systems of the body, and therefore leads to health.

If you are without any health problems, then you probably don't need to take any extra coconut oil. Following the "Word of Wisdom" rules on what to eat will serve you fine.

If, however, you are unhealthy, in most cases coconut oil will help your body to heal and return to health.

For those who prefer something a little more 'biblical', raw butter mixed with raw honey is a great combination to get good fats and cause healing in the body. The only reason I talk more about the coconut oil is that it is usually easier to get in today's world than raw butter and raw honey.

For those wondering about this "Word of Wisdom" reference, go HERE.

CoQ10 : Let's Not Get Crazy

You may have seen some of the fantastic claims made by people trying to sell supplements containing CoQ10. But before you go and buy any of these supplements, thinking that this will solve all of your problems, lets talk a bit.

Most of the things that CoQ10 salesmen claim about there product are actually unproven. There are cute little anecdotal stories spread all around, but not much actual science to back them up.

Let's look at what the basic sales line is.

As your body ages you need more CoQ10. Is this true? Not necessarily.

Guess where CoQ10 comes from. It is found in grains, vegetables, nuts, animal products. In other words, it is all over the place in the foods you eat.

Of course the more that those foods are processed the less CoQ10 they retain. So should you supplement if you eat a lot of processed foods? In my opinion, no. Simply stop eating all those processed foods that are bad for you anyway. Eat good whole fresh foods and you will not only get all the CoQ10 you could ever need, but you will also get all the other goodness that goes along with it.

CoQ10 studies are very often not conclusive at all. Why? Because it is only one part of the picture of what goes into building a strong healthy body. Many other things are necessary to help CoQ10 to do it's thing.

I bet you didn't know that CoQ10 can intercept energy from your bodies energy production cycle and keep it from getting to the very important mitochondria. This is just one example of how trying to micro-manage your health through supplements can be nigh unto impossible.

There are many ways that a body can get out of balance. Some will involve CoQ10. But by far the best way to seek balance in the human body is to feed it the foods created by the creator for it. Natural foods have a way of creating a natural balance in the human body. No need to guess how much of what supplement your body might need.

Eat whole grains, whole fresh veggies, whole fresh fruit, nuts, fresh eggs, raw milk, raw butter, raw honey. If you ate some of each of those each day, you would probably be amazed at how healthy you would be in a couple of months.

Fat Discussion Leads To Comment

A discussion about fats on Dr. Mercola's site got interesting, when you got down into people's comments. There is so much confusion and misinformation going around.

I decided to comment there to see if I could help some people out. Here is what I said:

It is important to realize that a healthy lifestyle is the key to living healthy.

That sounds like stating the obvious, but many people don't seem to get it.

A 16 week test (as sited in the article) is interesting, but hardly long enough to show any cause and effect relationship.

Most of today's diseases have been developed by negative lifestyle choices made over years.

The human body is an amazing machine and can compensate for bad choices for a long time before finally reaching a breaking point and manifesting a disease.

I like the works of people like Ray Peat. Even though it can be hard to understand because he goes into so much detail, that many of us are unfamiliar with, he does a good job of explaining what happens in the human body.

It is very important to understand that the basics are the important thing. So many people are looking for that magic supplement that will make them healthy, but at the same time they don't exercise, or drink plenty of good clean water with good minerals and trace-minerals, or eat fresh fruits and veggies, or whole grains and nuts.

Health in the body is all about balance. The problem with most supplements is that you don't know how much you need to be in balance. Any supplement you are taking could be putting you out of balance. The wonderful thing about natural whole foods is that they cause balance in the human body.

As far as fats go, taking omega-3s or omega-6s could put you out of balance.

If you are not having health issues, just continue to eat good whole foods, and avoid toxins, and you will probably be fine.

If you have health issues, I would go with coconut oil, as it seems to help balance out the fat systems of the body.

How To Legally Avoid Shots

Several of you have told me that you are trying to avoid all the dangers that are becoming more and more apparent from immunizations.

I thought I should share with you this article about avoiding shots legally.

http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/legally_avoid_shots.aspx

Miraculous Coconut Oil : How To Use It.

Many people have asked me how I use coconut oil. I use it for many different things, so I thought I should give you a report on what I do.

Coconut oil is great for your skin!
It is the best sunscreen I have ever used. That is saying a lot, since I spent many years working on construction jobs in the heat of the Arizona sun. Yes, I am fair skinned.

There is an important trick however in using coconut oil as a sunscreen. Don't put it on in the sun.

It is best to put coconut oil on about 20 minutes before going out in the sun so that it can absorb into the skin and protect it. If you put it on in the sun, it can contribute to cooking you instead of protecting you. You've heard of boiling in oil, right? But if the skin absorbs the oil first, then it does a marvelous job of keeping the skin healthy.

Are you getting this information too late, and you just came in with a sunburn? Coconut oil will help it to heal quickly. Be sure to use pure coconut oil instead of some cream or ointment claiming to contain coconut oil. Cold pressed virgin coconut oil is by far the best.

Coconut oil not only moisturizes. It also cleans and heals. Did you know that coconut oil is one of the very best conditioners for hair that money can buy. Put coconut oil in your hair before going to bed. Wrap it up and let it stay in all night. Rinse it out in the morning and you will be amazed at your healthy hair.

Coconut oil is antiviral, antibacterial, anti fungal and has even been called a "low fat fat".
When coconut oil is taken into the body, it is used like the best kinds of cholesterol, to heal cells.
It is not stored in the body like other fats, it is used for energy and healing.

Coconut oil also causes the break up of undesirable fats in the body, thus leading to weight loss for those who need to lose weight.

Much has been said these days about the importance of getting omega-3 fats. But this is only talked about because it has been identified as an imbalance. Balance is the important thing for health. If you take too many omega-3 fats you will also be out of balance and cause problems.
Coconut oil is a healthy fat that seems to help balance the body. I therefore consider it far superior to omega-3 fats.

Fish oils are quickly and easily oxidized and can cause many problems in the body and the brain. Use coconut oil instead.

See a great discussion on that from Ray Peat HERE. Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils can be bad.

Coconut oil is also the best oil to cook with. Most oils are very unstable and quickly become rancid when heat is applied. Cooked oils become trans fats. Corn oils are some of the worst oils to cook with. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is very stable and can withstand much higher heat before going bad. Any time I need to use oil in cooking, I choose coconut.

As a marathon runner, I have to deal with the problem of chaffing on long runs. You guessed it! I use coconut oil. It keeps the skin healthy and eliminates much of the friction. And it's much less expensive than those special products people buy for such things.

Coconut oil is also the very best oil to use for "oil pulling", or "oil swishing". You will read lots of interesting (almost mysterious sounding) things on the internet about 'oil pulling'. Much of it is wrong. But that's a subject for another day. Coconut oil works better than the others, and I'll explain that when I write more on that subject.

When you eat coconut oil, it improves digestion, as well as insulin control. It also boosts immune function. Coconut oil is good for the heart, in spite of much dis-information disseminated by the soy and corn industries. It actually helps to keep blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots. Regular users of coconut oil have less heart disease and even more normal blood pressure.

If I was overweight or having health problems, I would make sure that I got 3 or 4 tablespoons of coconut oil everyday.

I also "swish" with coconut oil everyday.

Coconut oil is one of the healthiest fats you can get. To me it seems much more important to consume coconut oil for health than it is to worry about omega-3 oils. Another day we will talk about the toxicity of omega-3 oils.

Here is a great book by the guru of coconut oil, Dr. Bruce Fife:





You can find coconut oil in most health food stores. But if you are having a chanllenge finding some virgin coconut oil here is a link you can follow:

Let's Get Your Gut In Shape.

This comment was recently left on my blog, and I would like to share my response with everyone.

Here is the comment as it appeared:

Christi Says:

Hi Coach G. I am an old family friend! I love your website and check in on it often. These are many of the ideals I was raised with and I am glad to see so many out here using such good common sense! Anyway I was wondering if you have come across anything more holistic for itchy eyes due to seasonal allergies. I am sick of taking bendadril and then caffine to wake up! All I could find online was cucumber slices on my eyes and that worked great til I took them off! I hope everyone is well in your family!!

-Christi

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Here is my response:

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Christi,

It's nice to hear from you. I hope this finds you and your family doing well.

Sorry to hear about your allergy problem. Perhaps this information could help a little.

Itchy eyes caused by allergies is never fun. I developed an allergy after going through chemotherapy. It still bothers me a little sometimes, but it seems to be getting milder.

The most important thing to do is to take care of the underlying cause. Here are two ideas.

1. Many allergies will go away, or at least lessen if all processed sugar is eliminated from the diet. This is not an immediate solution, but in a few weeks the symptoms should subside.

2. The basic underlying cause of most allergies is 'leaky gut syndrome'.

Leaky gut is damage to the bowel lining, caused by antibiotics, toxins, bad diet choices, or infection. It can lead to increased permeability of the gut wall to toxins, microbes, undigested food, waste or larger than normal macromolecules. This increased permeability allows things through the wall of the intestine that usually would not get through. The body recognizes these things as foreign elements in the blood stream and so initiates an immune response to get rid of them. In many cases this is an allergic response.

In other words, leaky gut syndrome is caused by the Standard American Diet (SAD) of processed foods and the polluted environments we live in. It causes inflammation in the intestine.

So what are the steps to take to heal leaky gut?

Eliminate Toxins - Avoid the use of chemical products. Eliminate the use of : chlorinated water, drugs of any type (if it's OK with your doctor, of course), antibiotics, MSG (Mono Sodium Glutamate), High Fructose Corn Syrup, white flour, white sugar, hydrogenated oils of any kind, all artificial sweeteners, and artificial coloring.

Also anything that has been pasteurized is dead food and is a drain on the body.

Leaky gut also causes problems with mineral absorption. I suggest that you supplement with a good macro-mineral and trace-mineral supplement for a while. Ideally you should get all the minerals and trace minerals you need through eating good fresh organically grown foods. But leaky gut makes it harder to get the minerals from your food. I like the mineral supplement made by Trace Minerals Research based out of Roy Utah. It is made from the great inland sea water and includes all the trace minerals. It is also in a form that the body can absorb very easily. Minerals are so imperative to good health. I actually like to get the "Gourmet Spray Salt Seasoning" made by Trace Minerals Research. I spray it on my food, and I actually use a spray or two in my water bottle each time I fill it up if I'm using the RO (Reverse Osmosis) water.

Fiber in your diet is important to get the gut functioning properly. It helps with nutrient absorption. It also keeps you regular. The best way to get fiber is by eating fresh fruits and veggies. Eat them raw as often as possible. Also eat whole grains and nuts.

Get good nutrition by eating plenty of leafy greens and whole grains as well as fresh fruit, and get good fat by eating nuts, particularly walnuts and pecans. In fact some people have been helped with allergies simply by getting oils in proper balance by eating walnuts or pecans regularly. Lots of antioxidant rich foods (the colorful ones) should also be eaten.

The intestines need plenty of water to keep them flowing and cleaned out. One very successful gut doctor has his patients drink a quart of good clean water one half hour before each meal. My basic rule of thumb for water is to take your weight in pounds, divide it by 10, and drink at least that many cups of water every day. That is a baseline. If you are trying to flush something out of your system or lose weight, increase that amount by up to a factor of 2. (In other words, double it.) Of course if you are working out in the hot Arizona sun, your water intake must increase to compensate for that as well.

If you can find yogurt that has the live bacteria in it, but no artificial sweeteners, that is a good way to repopulate the good bacteria in the gut to help with digestive health.

Avoid antibiotics, they kill both good and bad bacteria, and you really need the good ones.

If you really need to have an antibiotic, use garlic. It has good antibiotic properties against the bad bacteria, but generally won't harm the good bacteria.

As you live a healthy lifestyle and eat well your body can heal it's self and eventually allergies can subside and disappear.

In the mean time, blink a lot and get plenty of rest for those sore eyes.

As far as other holistic types of remedies, there are energy techniques for treating allergy problems. Some of these are EFT, APN, NET, and TBM.

There are some learning curves to learning how to use these, or you can find a practitioner to go to.

There are also some herbs that can be used for a temporary solution. Butterbur has been used as a successful antihistamine.

I've also been told that a herbal combination product of quercetin and stinging nettles works well to combat allergy symptoms.

Some use quercitin alone. Quercetin is found naturally in apples, onions, red grapes, citrus fruit, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, cherries, raspberries, and the fruit of prickly pear cactus.

I discovered that quercetin is also found in tomatoes with the interesting side note that organically grown tomatoes had 79% more quercetin than conventionally grown tomatoes.

Quercetin is also used in conjunction with natural buffered Vitamin C.

Apples are so high in so many good things. I'm beginning to believe that perhaps an apple a day will keep the doctor away.

Caution: the benadril and caffeine are not doing you any good. They are actually both introducing more stress into the system. They are both toxins as far as the body is concerned.

Good luck with this Christi. Keep me up dated from time to time on how you are doing. Also feel free to write with any other questions or concerns.

Remember that I am not a doctor, and this is not medical advice. This is just information I have learned over the years. My opinions are only mine, you must decide for yourself.

I would be happy to help you in finding any other information you would like to find on the subject, or any other subject for that matter.

Coach G.

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I hope you found that interesting and perhaps even helpful if you are in a similar situation.

Also remember that Jerusalem artichoke is great help build a healthy gut.

Remember that health comes from within. We need to give our bodies the resources that they need to take care of themselves. Treat them like your own children. Give them the things they need, but don't indulge them too much. Protect them from the bad stuff. Encourage them to work and be productive members of society. Make sure they get enough sleep, but don't let them be too lazy.

Just eat a high quality natural foods diet, exercise, drink plenty of good clean water, make sure you get fiber (whole raw foods), get plenty of sleep, breathe deeply and have a gratitude attitude.

Your body will take care of you, if you take care of it.

Coach G.

Mushrooms, Immune System, & Healthy Eating

I've recently been reading about so called "Super-Foods". Amongst these super-foods, there is usually listed what are sometimes referred to as Medicinal mushrooms.

These are mushrooms which have been found to have abilities to help boost the immune system.
Maitake, Shiitake, Reishi, Coriolus, and Agaricus are often mentioned in these types of reports.

They have been show in studies to help in some cancer cases. They also help with the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

If you look into these studies, you will find the credit is usually given to "beta-glucans" that are contained in these mushrooms.

Look a little further and you will find that it isn't necessary to buy exotic mushrooms to get beta-glucans. Some of the best sources of beta-glucans are oats and barley. Smaller amounts are also found in rye and wheat.

Beta-glucans come from the bran of whole grains. You won't get them in most processed grain products. Luckily oatmeal still contains the whole grain and is a good source. Even better would be to use oat groats, because they are less processed.

Beta-glucans also seem to work better when they are soluble. So go a head and soak your oats in water and cook them if you desire. The goodness is there. Barley drinks made from whole barley grains would also be very healthy and help to boost the immune system.

What is my point?

The point is, you don't have to buy fancy supplements, from strange places, to get good nutrition and immune system support. Eating good wholesome foods that are readily available works very well to build a healthy body.

If you want to buy capsules made from these mushrooms, that is fine. I used them while dealing with my cancer. They can be helpful. But even more important, is to eat good wholesome, healthy foods, every meal of every day.

If you would like a great guide to eating healthy, and to learn how it can boost your immune system, as well as normalize your weight, GO HERE.

New Cancer Drugs : Beware

New cancer drugs are always being developed and experimented with.
I get lots of questions along these lines, so I would like to give you an example that perhaps you can learn from.

A dear friendly was recently diagnosed with cancer and sent me this question.

"Thanks again for talking to me last night. You are awesome. I was wondering what you know about artemesia? A man in our ward gave me an article about it. I was just wondering if you had heard of it. Thanks for all of your help!"

Here is my response:

Artemesia is an herb, well actually a whole family of herbs, that you have probably heard of before. It is also called wormwood, mugwort, sagebrush, and tarragon (among others).

It is used in mystic circles, and can have some hallucinatory effects.

It is used in the tropics for malaria.

It is also used to clear clogged sinuses.

It also has anti-parasitic properties. (That is why it works for malaria.)

There is some concern with toxicity due to die-off. (If you have a lot of parasites, they die where they are and this can be a large load on the body to try and clean out all that gunk.

As far is cancer is concerned there are some researchers who have isolated a certain part of the herb (artemsia annua) called artemisinin. It has a strong chemical reaction with iron. The researchers then injected extra iron into cancer cells and introduced the artemisinin. The chemical reaction destroyed the cancer cells. (The chemical reaction creates lots of free radicals.)

This is interesting, but how does that actually work in the body? Your liver is where most of the iron in your body is stored.

It is true that cancer cells generally have higher iron content than normal cells, but not the only place iron is found in the body.

Also many people are found to be allergic to artemisinin. The allergic reaction is usually dangerous to the heart.

Also remember that even though many herbs don't have any drastic side effects to the body (many do), extracts from whole plants nearly always have side-effects. Extracts are no longer whole, and no longer able to cause balance. (This is the problem with all drugs.)

Long term health is always about balance. Balancing the systems of the body is accomplished best by giving them the things that the Lord said we should give them.

You could take the whole herb, but the amount of artemisinin varies greatly from plant to plant. Some have a lot, some have none. The results would be very unpredictable.

New cancer drugs are always full of promise, but always full of dangers as well.

To learn more about fighting cancer in a holistic way, try this guy. I like him a lot.

GO HERE

Click on his "Short Course" on the side menu. It is a great a little intro to understanding cancer and what to do about it.

Electromagnetic Spectrum : Is It Hurting You?

The electromagnetic spectrum is all around us all the time. Basically all life is electromagnetic.

Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMFs) are a major source of concern these days. Nearly everything around us is run using electricity. In fact, if you look into it, you find that the human body is also an electrical machine. That is why strong electrical fields generated by machines around us can cause problems in the human body.

There are many studies that show deleterious effects to the human body from EMF emissions. Also there have been various solutions, both suggested and tried, to mitigate or eliminate the problems. Everything from living caveman style, to living in a protective bubble. Which of these are possible, but more importantly desirous?

I like living in a world with many electrical gadgets to embellish our lives. I see no desirability at all to the caveman lifestyle. So lets talk more about what we can do to protect ourselves while living in an electrified world.

Some of you may have noticed that in the news lately there has been talk about hybrid vehicles being bad for your health because of the EMF emissions they create. You may not, however, know that the current vehicle you are driving may be just as bad or worse. All types of vehicles on the road today emit strong EMFs, and there is measurable effect to the human body while riding in them.

One solution to machine caused electromagnetic spectrum disturbances, is that you can buy shields to plug into your house electrical system. These drastically cut the amount of excess EMFs in your home. Some people who have used these have seen dramatic improvements their health and well being. Some have not. Why?

Well of course there is variability of product quality. But some people are just much more sensitive to electrical pollution than others. However we are all susceptible to some degree, so I think that it is worth while to protect yourself.

As I was looking for what might be the best way to protect myself and my family, I looked at many options. There are devices that put out a cancelling wave to cancel out negative EMFs in the area. There are devices that absorb some of the EMFs from local electrical devices. But I decided that a better way would be to have a personal protection shield that could go with me where ever I go. That way I'm protected at home, at work, while shopping, while driving my car or riding in a bus, or whatever. So instead of spending thousands of dollars to protect my house, I protect myself for less than a hundred bucks.

The device that I found and use is called the Q-Link. It's fundamental technology can be understood by imagining a tuning fork that vibrates at a certain pitch. It is sold as a pendant that you wear around your neck. It is tuned to optimize the human energy system through resonance. It leads to a re-balancing and restoration of your body's bio-field according to your individual needs.

The Q-Link has proven its effectiveness in a wide range of experiments, including trials at UC Irvine, University of Vienna, and Imperial College London, all of which demonstrated significant effects on living systems.

Some the research highlights are:

* Doctors who tested the Q-Link found that it instantaneously amplified healthy energy states, and decreased energy drains caused by a wide variety of stressors.

* In brainwave studies (EEG), the Q-Link reduced the harmful effects of EMFs from computers, cell phones and other electrical devices.

* World-class athletes reported that the Q-Link improved their mental focus and endurance, giving them a significant competitive edge.

* In live blood studies, the Q-Link led to greater cellular integrity and more efficient blood oxygenation.

If you have concerns about how EMFs may be affecting your life, I highly recommend you get a Q-Link.

To learn more GO HERE.

Of course, the other things that you can do to minimize the side effects of using electrical devices is to live a healthy lifestyle, so that your body has the resources it needs to deal with whatever challenging circumstances it may encounter.

Remember that health comes from within. We need to give our bodies the resources that they need to take care of themselves.

Just eat a high quality natural foods diet, exercise, drink plenty of good clean water, make sure you get fiber (whole raw foods), get plenty of sleep, breathe deeply, serve others, and have a gratitude attitude.

Your body will take care of you, if you take care of it.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is an interesting disorder. Studying it has made me a little perturbed at the established medical experts.

The materials about carpal tunnel syndrome are full of contradictions. They say that repetitive use isn't a cause. In fact they say that there really is not a cause at all. They assume that if you develop carpal tunnel syndrome, it was simply in your genes. At the same time they note the increased incidents of carpal tunnel in relation to manufacturing jobs with repetitive motion. They also cite the connection between office jobs and carpal tunnel.

The real problem, you see, is that they don't have any successful cures for carpal tunnel. Therefore they insist there can be no cause. At they same time however, they do offer treatments. And what treatments do they offer?

Well, they will generally start with a splint to keep you from moving the wrist. Then they will give you drugs to hide the pain and tingling. Anti-inflammatories are usually proscribed. Then, after that doesn't work for a while, they will give you surgery and cut the offending nerve. Of course, this causes permanent numbness.

So, what is carpal tunnel syndrome?

It is when you have blockage, or compression, in the median nerve that goes through your wrist and into your hand. It is actually quite often caused by trauma to the area, in one form or another.

So, instead of drugs, what might help to rehabilitate stressed nerves?

Well, first off, remember that healing in the body is all about finding balance. The best body balancing effects come from whole natural foods in a raw (unprocessed) state. And integral to any body balancing is to have plenty of fluid (water) flowing within the system. If you are trying to heal the human body, you should be drinking water nearly every hour of the day.

Exercise is required to move stuff around the body. Whether you are trying to get rid of toxins, or supply nutrients to cells, you must have motion to accomplish it.

So, instead of immobilizing the wrist, put it in motion. Ideally, the motion should be in all directions and random.

One activity found to be very good nerve damage therapy for hands, is origami. The concentration and varied folding motions (make lots of different figures, don't repeat one over and over) help to rehabilitate the nerves.

GO HERE to get a great book on origami along with free origami paper!

For more information on carpal tunnel syndrome and more specific steps you can take to ease the pain in as little as 3 days, GO HERE.

Osteoporosis? Put Calcium Back In The Bone!

The other day I was visiting with a lady who had been told by her doctor that she was developing osteoporosis. She had read about some of the dangers of drugs that are prescribed for osteoporosis, and so she did not want to take them.

You can get a free copy of a report on drugs prescribed for osteoporosis HERE.

She told me she had been taking calcium supplements for several years, but saw no improvement. She asked if osteoporosis was just an inevitable part of aging (she is in her 70s). She eats fairly well, with lots of fresh-from-the-garden produce.

I explained to her that her body can heal, and her bone can take in more calcium and become stronger.

She had already realized, and also read, that many calcium supplements are a waste of money. Most of them are not in a form that makes the calcium bio-available to the body.

After discussing her diet with her, I told her that she was getting plenty of calcium into her body. The best sources of bio-available calcium are actually from good wholesome foods.

The truth is that nearly all of us have plenty of calcium in our diets. The problem is that most of it is not recognized, by the body, as something that it can build strong bones with. So instead, the body deposits it in joints and fatty tissue, to get it out of the way.

Bone-spurs and arthritis are calcium build-ups from too much calcium. So why are the same people with arthritis and bone-spurs losing calcium from their bones?

Balance! The modern lifestyle and eating habits, put our bodies out of balance. The signals, that should be telling the body to put calcium into the bone, are all messed up.

Here are some quick keys:

• Drink plenty of good clean water. It allows the body to move nutrients and wastes to where they need to go.
• Get good balanced minerals (I suggest using "Redmond Real Salt").
• Eat plenty of green leafy veggies.
• Get good exercise that gives the body a bit of jarring.
• Eat good fats for healthy nerves (important for proper signals in the body).
  

This wonderful lady was doing many things right, but she hadn't learned the seven-keys to building strong bones.

One very important thing, that she was missing, was exercise that builds bone. So I explained to her about how NASA has learned that astronauts lose bone mass when they are on long space voyages. The body needs weight bearing exercises to build strong bones.

It is the actual jarring of the body from running and jumping and the like that signals the body to build strong bones. I gave her some simple exercises that she could do that would start to build that ability in her body. I cautioned her to start slow and build gradually.

Now of course we could get into all the science about balanced minerals, and vitamins, and other nutrients, that also help the body to build bone strength. But if you understand the basics, you will be just fine, in most cases.

There is a wonderful little book that will teach you all seven-secrets to building strong bones. It was put together by a nurse who broke her hip twice. She discovered the seven-secrets, and now has strong healthy bones, even after the age of 80. She has avoided the hip replacement surgery that her doctor told her was inevitable.

To learn more GO HERE.

Plantar Fascitis Secrets Revealed

Plantar Fasciitis is a painful condition caused by an over load on the fascia of the bottom of the foot which subsequently causes inflammation to the area.
This fascia is a tendon like material that gives strength to the area.

Plantar fasciitis can take a long time to heal, because we continue to use our feet, and often in wrong ways. Let's discuss ways to improve the healing process.

First and foremost, you need to be drinking lots of water daily. Take your body weight in pounds and divide that number by 10. That is how many cups (8 ounces) of water you should drink everyday. Make sure that it is not chlorinated water. Dehydration is a major factor in any kind of tendon, joint, or fascia problem.

Second, you need to make sure you are getting good minerals in your diet. I suggest Redmond Real Salt for use with most, if not all, of your meals. This will give you the mineral balance you need, so I suggest you discontinue other mineral supplements since you could be causing an imbalance by supplementing only certain minerals. If you are drinking the recommended amount of water, your body can balance your minerals effectively.

If you have plantar fasciitis you have probably been told the basic exercises to do to help it heal. However you may not have been told how and when to do them. Remember that since we are working with a tendon type of injury here, each stretch must be held for 15 to 60 seconds. It takes the first seven seconds to fatigue the muscle and get it out of the way so the tendons, ligaments, and fascia can be exercised effectively.

Another important thing, that you may not hear anywhere else, is that you want to eliminate pushing-off with the toes as you walk or run. Keep your feet generally flat and relaxed. That doesn't mean to walk funny, so that your toes don't contact the ground. Walk and run normally, just don't give any extra flex and push-off with the toes.

An excellent source of further information is Greg Hunter. He was a fellow sufferer of plantar fasciitis and spent years researching how to eliminate the problem. He guarantees to help you get rid of the pain and the problem in as little as 3 days. At the worst, it may take three weeks.

To learn more GO HERE.

Human Anatomy : Could It Be Simpler?

Learning human anatomy from text books and boring lectures can really be a challenge.

But for those interested doctors, nurses, students, coaches, researchers, EMTs, etc. , you have just found the easy way to learn human anatomy and physiology.

Dr. James Ross puts 15 years worth of study into a 3-day course. AND not only will it be quick, it will also be done in a way that helps you remember all you need to.

You see it isn't what you study that makes learning hard, it is how the material is presented.

You are going to love this presentation.

Plus get free 3D software just for looking.

I recommend this for anyone interested in health, it will really enhance you understanding of what is going on with your body.

To learn more GO HERE.