AIDS--Develop Healthful Habits: Part V
In this fifth column on AIDS, we continue with ways to protect ourselves from this deadly disease. In order to have an healthy immune system, one that may ward off contaminants and maintain a perpetual balance of the doshas, especially at the change of seasons, we adopt the Ayurvedic Vegetarian diet. Fresh vegetables in variety will help to make the system healthy, especially when the science of taste is also used to keep the doshas balanced.. Since there is ample proof that for most of us the produce is not really fresh, we must take supplements. Especially the antioxidants and members of the B complex of vitamins which stimulate the immune system. We recommend Vitamin A (as beta carotene); Vitamin C fortified with citrus bioflavonoids; Vitamin E (d Alpha tocopheryl acid succinate) and Selineum (selinomethionine and seliniumselenate). Other nutrients can be taken upon the advice of your health practitioner. There are also many herbs that stimulate the immune system; the advice of an experienced herbalist is suggested. Excessive use of alcohol and any use of drugs is to be discouraged. There are many scientists who believe that drug addiction, whether it be medical, recreational or so-called “nutritional” tends to weaken the immune system. The fact that most drugs are toxic at some level adds credence to this theory. Try to get all of your nutrition from natural foods and natural sources of vitamins and minerals. For example; Chywan Prash is a good source of Vitamin C. Learn to understand your doshic needs and how to satisfy them with food manipulation and the creative use of spices and condiments. It has been shown repeatedly that exercise (a brisk walk of 1/2-hour duration) helps to maintain a strong immune system and a feeling of well being. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise, but we need to exercise caution about swimming in public pools-they must be adequately disinfected. To assure a healthy immune system we must get adequate sleep that is restful and invigorating. Since we know that stress tends to lower the efficiency of the immune system, it is wise to keep the stress level low. This may be done through meditation and a life-style that brings God and the gods into your life. Science has shown that meditation can lower blood pressure, stimulate the immune system and give a sense of well being. Living a life of joy and optimism makes both body and mind healthier. Feelings of hatred and revenge adversely affect the immune system. Although we may be tempted to fall into periods of despair, disgust and hopelessness, if we remain joyful, peaceful and loving, our health (and immune system) are at their optimum. If we are exposed, we may become infected. The strong desire to have sex must be controlled. It would help stem the pandemic if people would return to the consideration of sex as the holy and sacred rite that it is. This past week reports were made that the hoped-for AIDS vaccines all failed their final tests-none worked. It was also reported that some of the major medical centers are now admitting that the use of dietary supplements (such as we have just mentioned) do help keep the immune system healthy. If we protect ourselves from contact with the virus and maintain a healthy immune system, we may survive this pandemic.§
AIDS--Avoiding Contact: Part VI
This is the last of a six-part series in which we have been discussing the most commonly held ideas about AIDS and its professed cause, HIV. We must point out that there is a small number of scientists that do not believe that there is a causative relationship between HIV and AIDS. Although they make many good arguments, the majority opinion is that HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. The definition of AIDS has changed many times and now represents a composite of diseases that are due to immune deficiency. HIV is, supposedly, one of the deadliest causes of immune deficiency. Illegal drugs, other toxic drugs and addictions and stressful situations also contribute to immune deficiency. Infection with this virus may occur in anyone, no matter what their color, creed, political affiliation, sexual preference or place of habitation. Then what can we do to save ourselves from this dreaded disease? The answer comes in the following categories: behavior, diet and nutrition, scrupulous rules of hygiene, exercise, transmission by blood and its products and stress reduction. Since we know that the virus is able to live on exposed surfaces both wet and dry for hours or days, it behooves us to keep our environment as clean as possible. Frequent washing of flat surfaces with household bleach (1/200 strength) is advisable. Scrupulous washing of the hands before cooking and eating is essential. The lips must not be touched by the unwashed hands. Hand washing, preferably with sudsy detergents that do not tend to cling to the skin, should include rinsing with copious amounts of running water. Cooking utensils should also be so cleansed and air dried. Since the body fluids also carry the virus, we should frown upon and eliminate such social habits as spitting on the streets and sidewalks and urinating or defecating in public places where one may accidentally come into contact with the body wastes. Western-style toilets should only be flushed with the lid down to prevent possible airborne dissemination of contaminated water. Drinking and eating utensils should not be shared with others. The feet should be washed thoroughly before coming into the home. Avoid touching them with the hands If one finds it necessary to administer to or nurse a patient with AIDS, he must use double latex gloves and a surgical mask. There should be caution and adherence to the rules of surgical practice, yet with no trace of fear in one’s mind. Special caution should be followed when dealing with any of the patient’s body fluids and daily sterilization of the utensils and surroundings are mandatory. If you need elective surgery, make arrangements to deposit your own blood with the hospital for use in case you need a transfusion. I also recommend that you arrange with a friend or relative whom you know to be HIV negative (by testing) to be on call in case you need emergency blood. Of course, compatibility must also be tested. Wear an ID-band with this information on it or place the information with your other ID papers in your wallet. The risk is small, but why suffer if a small preparation will save you?§
A Traveler’s Simple First Aid Kit
It is wise for all travelers to carry a first aid kit for possible injuries or mishaps while away. The easiest first aid kit to carry is a homeopathic one. These are readily available in homeopathic pharmacies, many health food stores and from homeopathic manufacturers. They usually consist of six to eight remedies and an accompanying booklet explaining the use of the remedies. The idea of taking homeopathic remedies is foreign to many people, and they approach it with some degree of fear and disbelief. I can assure you that these remedies are wonderful when the proper one is used. I would recommend the following remedies for a small but powerful kit. All of the remedies are prepared homeopathically and many potencies are available. The rule of thumb in this discipline is that the more acute the trauma or disease the higher the potency needed. The beauty of these remedies is that if you have not chosen the correct one, no harm is done and another can be tried. The remedies usually come in the form of a pill, which is not swallowed but allowed to dissolve under or on the tongue. Aenica-6x and/or 200c or any potency available-is the first remedy of choice in injuries, especially when some shock is attached and there is painful swelling of the soft tissues. In severe cases the remedy may be used every 15 minutes until there is some relief. The symptoms are that the patient feels very sore and achy. There may be bleeding. He feels better lying down with the head lower. He usually feels better when warm; however, cold on contact may give some relief to the aching of the injured spot. He also wants to be left alone. A combination remedy called traumeel can be tried if arnica does not give relief within an hour or two. It is a combination of several other remedies that are used in injuries with slightly different symptom complexes. Bryonia is used when the injury develops slowly with swelling and pain. If there is no desire to move or be touched because of exacerbation of the pain and if the area is red and hot, bryonia should be used. Hypericum is used when nerves are injured or areas are crushed where many nerves exist. It is most often used in finger and toe injuries or for the sharp nerve type pain that follows falling on the tail bone. Ledum is the remedy of preference where the area is black and blue, e.g., a black eye, or for a bruise discoloration that does not tend to go away. Ledum is also used in insect bites. Apis is the remedy of choice for bee stings and other insect bites. The symptoms are a red hot feeling and swelling around the bite. It feels better when a cold compress is applied but is aggravated by heat. If the skin feels cold around the bite, then ledum is used. Arsenicum alba is preferred for diarrhea and symptoms related to food poisoning or over indulgence. There is always a feeling of hopelessness about these patients, and they desire warm drinks. If necessary, the diarrhea can be controlled by the allopathic drug Immodium. However, if there is blood in the stool, see a physician at once. Next month we will consider a few other simple travel needs.§
Staying Healthy While Traveling
Continuing last month’s column on the homeopathic first-aid kit for travelers, this month we include some remedies from Ayurveda and some valuable travel tips. Travelers often lose their footing and fall, scraping their knees or elbows. If the skin is broken or there is scraping of the skin, lacerations, abrasions, nicks or ulceration, calendula acts as a remarkable healing agent, especially if the associated pain is greater than one would expect. It rapidly promotes healing without scarring. It comes in ointment, liquid and gel forms and is spectacular as an after shave lotion. Mag. Phos.-a cell salt of magnesia phosphorica-is the great reliever of spasm, especially if there is cramping of muscles with radiating pain. Neuralgia pains that are relieved by warmth will respond to this cell salt. It is the remedy of choice when sleep eludes one because of being tired, exhausted from activity (especially mental), covering too many time zones in travel and the frequent hassles at airports. The 6x potency will do wonders. A few pills allowed to dissolve on the tongue at hourly intervals will bring sleep to the weary. The typical “morning after” is greatly relieved by nux vomica. The cause is food and drink overindulgence. The first symptoms are that heavy feeling of discomfort in the abdomen, maybe accompanied by nausea and sour taste (especially in males). The life-style of modern man leads to such symptoms, which are aggravated by travel. Nux works best when taken in the evening. The bowels are often disturbed by travel because of lack of exercise, sitting for long periods of time, mental tension, often extreme changes in diet and a tendency to not drink sufficient fluids. When there is constipation, an eastern herbal mix called triphala will give a very gentle stimulus to the bowel to move. It has a tendency to make the stool more fluid so it can be passed easily. It can be taken in tablet or in the form of tea. Psyllium seed husks, being a hydrophillic, may also be used to stimulate the bowel to move by forming a firm but soft stool. This can also be used in some diarrheas to help absorb the water in the bowel and to prevent the too frequent movements. When traveling it is very important to drink plenty of pure water. If there is any doubt of its purity, purchase bottled water or well capped effervescent type soft drinks. Do not allow them to be uncapped except in your presence and be sure the top is dry before opening. Never drink iced beverages, for the ice is usually made from tap water and is thus suspect. In the back country and most third world countries it may be necessary to treat the water to assure purity. A 2% tincture of iodine made with ethyl alcohol will make almost any water safe to drink. Eight drops per gallon and a waiting time of ten minutes may be required. There are other preparations for this purpose too, visit your large sporting goods store and/or your pharmacist. Sun screen protection is vital in tropical countries and mosquito repellents are a must wherever malaria may be endemic. Call the Board of Health or State Department to locate these areas. Remember that if you have prescription drugs (and glasses), be sure that they are labeled and have a duplicate available.§
Genes--A Double-Edged Sword
It is said that the human body contains one hundred trillion cells. All of them, except mature red blood cells, have nuclei. The nucleus is the central, more-or-less encapsulated portion of the cell that contains the life controlling activity. Each nucleus contains 23 paired chromosomes. One chromosome of each pair is from each parent. Usually we speak of 22 pairs plus the X and Y chromosomes, for these are the ones that determine the sex of the offspring. A female has two X chromosomes-one from the mother and one from the father. A male has one X (from the mother) and one Y (from the father). So we see that the father is the one that determines the sex of any child. If the Y chromosome has a gene for hemophilia, it is easy to see that all the males in the family will have this disease. None of the females will have the disease, because there is no Y chromosome to carry the disease-causing gene. Maleness and male characteristics, as well as some other diseases, are carried by the Y chromosome and are manifested only in the males of the family. Femaleness and female characteristics are carried by the X chromosome from the mother. The X chromosome from the father is required to manifest the baby as a female. Within each chromosome is the tightly folded DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), which is the double-helix arrangement of molecules that divide symmetrically in order to reproduce the host cell exactly. DNA was discovered in 1952, and since 1953 its chemical structure has been mapped. Each individual determining factor of DNA is called a “gene,” and there are billions of them. It is being learned that the genes determine, individually or in groups, all of the physical characteristics of a person as well as the body’s ability to allow certain diseases or gross malformations. Certain genes may also be the direct cause of diseases. This leads the scientist and the philosopher to visualize a time when we know enough about the billions of genes to predict the characteristics and health of the person. Research is coming up with identifications of up to 300 genes per day, and new disease sites at about one a day. There is continuing research on the various methods through which genes can be either repaired if damaged, replaced if defective or removed if mutated. There has also been some success in causing “whole” genes to enter the cells of a sick person to overcome the disease. Even at present a genetic profile can determine whether the embryo, in utero, carries the identification markers for certain diseases. In utero genetic screening may also determine if the fetus has a serious inherited disease or the pattern to develop the disease later in life. In some cases it is possible to change this genetic pattern and prevent the disease from developing. This, however, is rare. Thus we see developing a double-edged sword with our increasing knowledge. Politically, it is possible that genetic screening could be used to attempt to control the type of children produced. Insurance companies may be able to accept or reject clients according to their propensity for long and healthy life. Many horrible plots can be imagined. However, by voluntary effort and continued research, a healthy and happier future is possible.§
Constipation, Source of Toxins
Chronic constipation is not an infrequent complaint. It is a very trying and tension-producing symptom-complex. On one hand, the person knows that regular evacuations are necessary to keep the digestive system functioning satisfactorily. On the other hand, the system seems to shut down. Then, attempts at evacuation can be painful, difficult, and frustrating-resulting in secondary bloating, abdominal pain, feelings of drowsiness, foul flatus and other symptoms that do not seem to be directly related. This is in most cases due to unbalanced or disturbed vata dosha. It occurs most frequently in older persons (vata phase of life) who do not exercise very often and have changed their dietary habits. So, in order to treat this problem, often a complete change in lifestyle is necessary, including diet, exercise and how we think about the problem. First, a vata pacifying diet must be followed. In this diet there should be ample quantity of warm and unctuous drink and food-such as yellow mung beans in liquid preparations along with vegetables that are well cooked and juicy or soupy. The tastes are sweet, sour and salty. Whole rice, wheat, and small amounts of oats are permitted. Avoid green leafy vegetables, colored pumpkin and squash, peas, potato, sprouts, radish, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and celery. Permitted are tender young eggplant (peeled), zucchini, cucumber, asparagus, tomato (skinned), carrots and spinach. Dairy products should be low in fat. Buttermilk and lassi are fine. Very small amounts of ghee are allowed. Any of the oils are permitted, except coconut. They should be used very sparingly. All nuts and seeds are allowed in very small quantities. Honey should be avoided. Condiments are to be used in small amounts, preferring ginger, cumin, fenugreek, mustard seeds, black pepper, cardamom, anise, fennel and cloves. Salty lemon juice and tamarind are especially good to pacify the unbalanced vata. Fruits should be limited to ripe fruits in season, avoiding the pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes. The secret to this diet is to eat sparingly, but be satisfied, and to enjoy eating the combinations and flavors that you appreciate. A most important aspect in treating this problem is to also consume at least 10 eight-ounce glasses of liquid daily. For normal action to occur we need to have a good digestive fire, ample fluid and considerable roughage to permit the stool its normal consistency. The fluid intake is crucial and so is the muscular tone of the digestive tract and abdominal wall. This means that there must be some form of exercise that will aid this muscular tone. The best excercise is walking associated with yoga asanas that twist and compress the abdominal organs. Regular meals and activity is one of the keys to treating this condition. The mental attitude is also helpful in correcting the vata imbalance. Visualization is a great help in keeping the movements regular. By regular we mean setting times to wake up, get out of bed, exercise, eat, work, meditate, socialize, relax, etc.-and then follow that schedule meticulously. At first the body will want to rebel, but just stick to the schedule. Continued next month.§