NUTRITION IS NOT MEDICINE

You have most likely heard the terminology, alternative medicine. Some today would believe that using nutritional supplements to be a form of alternative medicine. Technically, this is not true. Nutrition is not medicine.

Today there is an increasing number of people who are turning to herbs and nutritional supplements to treat their illnesses. (This would be my approach if I became ill.) However, it is important to understand the difference between nutrition and medicine. Here is an excerpt from an article written by the International Institute of Nutritional Research:

There is a big difference between the way medical drugs work, and the way nutrients work. It is very important for you to understand that difference if you want to be successful in using nutrients to create good health. Most of us have been taught by the conventional medical establishment that the way to good health is by treating illness and disease with medical drugs. So it is only natural that most people tend to think of nutrients as a sort of natural medicine to treat illness and disease.

BUT THAT IS WRONG!

To see why that is wrong, let's compare two major differences. First of all, medical drugs DO ACT DIRECTLY on the illness or disease. They intercede and take over in an area where the body is unable to function adequately. The medical drug-not the body-makes the changes. Sometimes we definitely need that kind of help. NUTRIENTS DO NOT WORK THAT WAY AT ALL. By and large all nutrients serve us in one of two different ways. They are either building blocks by which the body creates the cells and tissues which make up its structure, or they serve as co-enzymes to ASSIST THE BODY in creating normal healthy function. THE BODY-NOT THE NUTRIENTS-MAKES THE CHANGES, which is just the opposite of medical drugs. To be effective in using nutrition you must keep those differences in mind. Medical drugs make the actual changes, while nutrients only supply the body with raw materials the body may then use to make changes which returns the body to normal.

IT TAKES TIME

The second difference is the speed with which they act. Because medical drugs take over directly in an area where the body is not functioning properly, they are very fast acting. Sometimes we can feel their effect within minutes, which in life-threatening emergencies, is a very good thing. NUTRIENTS DO NOT WORK THAT WAY AT ALL.

Nutrients are the raw materials the body uses to make every single chemical, hormone, enzyme, prostaglandin, immune factor, blood cell, and tissue in the body. There is absolutely nothing in your body, no matter how complex it is, that wasn't first a simple nutrient in your diet, or your mother's diet! Think about that for a moment. If that diet lacks the necessary nutrient factors to create all those chemicals, hormones, enzymes, prostaglandins, immune factors, blood cells and tissues in your body, then your body is not going to be able to function as it should and this will eventually be manifest as poor health, an illness or disease.

If you put those missing nutrients into your body with either food or supplements, the body will have to first absorb them, and secondly put them to use, either to rebuild structure or to normalize the biochemical reactions, or both. This is often a slow process, requiring many days at best, but generally weeks or even months in some cases. So if you decide to use nutrition to create good health, don't get in a hurry!

This is really good advice that puts a natural approach to restoring health into perspective. If you are currently taking nutritional supplements and are not certain of their digestibility or of their quality, I'd like to recommend a company that manufactures all their own, physician formulated supplements. The company is Vitality Corp. also known as Maximum Vitality Partners. My family has been using these supplements for several years now. Every product comes with a 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee!

To those who have been contemplating the need for nutritional supplements or a multivitamin, I would recommend giving MVP a try!

Until next time...

K Wood
Building Great Health

STOP Reacting To Your Health Concerns! BE PROACTIVE!

Ever heard your parents telling you to stop being reactive and start being proactive. Now, as a hormonally imbalanced 13 year old, your reaction to such talk may result in the head becoming slightly cocked to the side with the "deer in the headlights" look. However, as a fully grown mature adult, such talk should make a lot of sense. In light of that statement, this world is either full of stunted, immature adults or the majority has lost their sense! You may be extremely offended right now or be wondering what my basis is for such a statement.


Close to 98% of Americans today are approaching health care reactively. They are reacting to the doctor's diagnosis of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis and the list goes on. Somewhere there has been a disconnect with the way we treat our bodies and the effect it will ultimately have on our health. We are eating our way to degenerative diseases. The majority is unaware that their food has been genetically modified. People are not aware that their produce has been heavily sprayed with all sorts of chemicals that are known carcinogens according to the MSDS labels. They are not aware that the homogenization of milk creates free radicals that ultimately destroy the good cells in their bodies. Many are unaware that pasteurization, (sorry Louis), kills the enzymes your body uses to properly digest the milk. Is that why so many today are lactose-intolerant? (For more information on raw milk click here). All of this food alteration has had an effect on humans for many years now. It isn't difficult to hear of someone having cancer or heart disease. Today, we probably all know someone personally who has been diagnosed with either of these diseases.


Unfortunately, we have been trained to react to a negative health issue instead of taking control of our health from a proactive standpoint. As I was studying the Complete Product Overview & Professionals Guide to Building Great Health, published by the International Institute of Nutritional Research, I came across an interesting portion of information:

Forget about the concept of disease. This is a centuries-old concept , so it is not easy to forget. You have been conditioned to THINK disease, so you tend to think medical treatment for the same. However, what each of us is really interested in is not triumphing over disease, but in the attainment of total health. Healthy people do not have diseases. Having a disease is a symptom of not being healthy. There are no laws in any state that this author is aware of that prohibits anyone from assisting another person in gaining health. You don't give advice-- you merely make suggestions...

When you talk to people, it's Nutrition-not for arthritis- but to build healthy joints; not for cancer, but for healthy cells; not for heart attacks; but for healthy hearts, and so on. Don't be a disease professional, be a HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. So far, there are no laws which prevent you from doing this.

Until next time, may we all be PROACTIVE regarding our health and not reactive!

K Wood

Building Great Health

Is Eating a Healthy Diet Enough?

It seems that many today are waking up to the fact that what you put into your body directly affects your overall health. This is a huge stride in an era where cause and effect are not being communicated in the educational system and even in the family. Many are failing to tell Johnny that if he jumps from his second story roof, (even though he is wearing his super-hero cape), he will most assuredly injure himself. Many today are calling common sense, uncommon sense for a good reason.

It's exciting to talk with friends and family who are making health conscious decisions in regards to their diet. Many are putting away the processed foods and turning to fresh, whole foods. And this is a very good step in the right direction. However, is eating a healthy diet enough?

There are many Naturopathic Doctors who believe that a healthy, organic, whole food diet is not enough to lead a healthy life. Though you may be eating a natural diet, if your digestion isn't up to par, it can create many problems to your health. Dr. Robert Preston, N.D., (Doctor of Naturopathy), has written a comprehensive report regarding proper digestion and colon health. Below is a sample of the contents:

While the subject of our bowel movements is not something most people discuss with anyone, even their doctor, recent research is demonstrating that how healthy your colon is, and how frequently you have bowel movements is a major factor in how long you will live and how healthy you will be as you age.

Although chronic constipation has long been associated with the development of colitis, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and colon cancer, it has also now been established as one of the primary factors contributing to the development of cancer of the breast, ovaries and uterus, impaired liver function, and degeneration of brain tissue. Scientists are just now beginning to examine the relationship of constipation to the development of disease, and they are finding many powerful correlations. For example, it was recently found that people who have only one bowel movement every 2 or 3 days are 4 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.

It takes many years for the harmful effects of an unhealthy and poorly functioning colon to be made manifest in the tissues of the body. Due to this long delay, most people, and until recently even the medical profession, failed to realize that by ignoring chronic constipation as though it were merely a harmless nuisance, serious and irreversible damage was being done.

Now it is realized that the long term result of an unhealthy and poorly functioning colon is the eventual onset of some form of fatal illness. For the sake of a long and healthy life, you simply cannot afford to ignore the health of your colon.

Click here to read the report in its entirety.

The International Institute of Nutritional Research recommends a product produced by Vitality Corp. called Colon Health to aid your body in proper digestion. It is available by clicking here or the Maximum Vitality Partners link on this site.

Until next time, may your heart be healthy and your colon clean!

K Wood

Building Great Health

Dead Doctors Don't Lie

The other day a friend gave me a cassette tape (yeah, they're still around) entitled, "Dead Doctors Don't Lie." It contained a rather interesting subject. Dr. Joel D. Wallach, a 1991 Nobel Prize Nominee for Medicine, described the cause of almost every death not accident related. Surprisingly, he said the number one cause of death in the world is nutrient deficiency! Dr. Wallach continued by stressing the importance of ingesting the 90 necessary nutrients our body needs daily. He also cites the average life span of an M.D. to be only 58 years old. He continues by asking his audience, "why follow the advice or prescription of someone whose average life span is less than 60 years of age when there are people across the globe who live to be 120-140 years old?"

Even with a healthy, organic, and mainly whole food diet, we do not get the vitamins and minerals our bodies need to be healthy. In order for the foods we eat to have the vital nutrients required to stay healthy, the soil they are grown in must contain the necessary nutrients. (The animals we eat must ingest foods that contain these important nutrients as well.) Sadly enough, farmers continue to harvest in fields that have been stripped of their nutrients. Even large organic farms are increasingly producing a product without any care for the nutritional value. They are covered by the FDA as long as it's not genetically modified or laden with harmful pesticides.

The other day I went to the local grocers in search of a few organic tomatoes. I chose the tomatoes that looked the best. Unfortunately, when it was time to consume those red rounds, they were taste-less. Thankfully we have started our seedlings for three different varieties of tomatoes. There is nothing worse than a taste-less tomato. YUCK!

So, what's the solution? First of all, for all you octogenarians out there who want to live another four decades, you need to boost your daily intake of vitamins and minerals. Don't listen to those doctors who have so many degrees they look like thermometers. You have already outlived them! And you have most likely done so by not listening to them!

Now, you don't need to be eighty to start supplementing your already wholesome diet with a multi-vitamin. My family and I did some extensive research to find a good-quality, affordable, and highly absorb-able multiple vitamin. We were very impressed with a company named Garden of Life. They have a great history of producing quality supplements at an affordable price. We buy Garden of Life's Vitamin Code multi-vitamin. Since taking it, we have seen an overall improvement in the way we feel with an increase in our energy levels. We like the fact that Vitamin Code derives its vitamins and minerals from raw foods. Their nutrients are not manufactured in a lab.

If you are looking to feel better and increase your overall health, I highly recommend Garden of Life's Vitamin Code multi-vitamins. If you would like more information, there is a book entitled, "The Vitamin Code Book" you can download for free. Click here to download the book and a $5 off coupon for your first purchase.

You may be able to find the Vitamin Code at your local health food store. If not, click here to enter the Building Great Health Store to place your order.

Until next time...

Building Great Health
K Wood

A Vaccine Consent Form To Give Your Physician

Several times a week a health newsletter arrives in my inbox from mercola.com. Today, Dr. Mercola had an article regarding a vaccine consent form you can give to your physician. Following is the opening paragraph from the article with a link to view the form:

Want assurances from your pediatrician about vaccines? Here’s a form designed by Ken Anderson you can give them to fill out -- although there is no physician anywhere on earth who will sign it.

Click here to view and download the Vaccine Consent Form.

Until next time...

Building Great Health

K Wood

Getting Sick?

I HATE BEING SICK!

Have you ever had the feeling of dread come upon you when you begin to feel the symptoms of a cold or some other virus attacking your body? You know, the sore, scratchy throat. The congestion in your head and ears. Your sinuses actin' up making your breath smell as if you just passed gas out of your mouth! (Well, you get the point.) If you abhor being sick as much as me, give me your ear for a few more moments.

Several years ago my sister filled me in on a little secret. It's called Grapefruit Seed Extract. Her family takes a 250 mg capsule when they feel the symptoms of a cold creeping in. Since I like being ill as much as I like being audited by the IRS, I decided to give it a try. Now, you must understand that my family and I are not "pill-poppers." We do take a very effective multi-vitamin (derived from raw foods) and Co enzyme Q10. Other than those, we do not regularly take a whole lot of supplements.

To my surprise, Grapefruit Seed Extract works wonders! Whenever I feel runned-down or the symptoms of a cold I take a capsule of this wonderful immune-boosting substance and whoola--I'm feeling better the next morning. We buy Nature's Way Grapefruit Seed Extract from our local natural grocers. For your convenience, we've added a link in this post and have added it to the Building Great Health Store. (Click here to order.)

So next time you feel yourself coming down with something, give Grapefruit Seed Extract a try!

Until next time...

Building Great Health
K Wood

Vaccine Court: Autism Debate Continues

It's been a while since the last post. Boy, life has a way of "getting away from you!"

There is ongoing debate in regards to vaccinations. One camp advocates the complete effectiveness and safety of vaccinations for children. While the other camp is adamant vaccines are neither beneficial nor harmless. While there are some who are in the middle of these opposing viewpoints.

A friend of ours, who has a little girl with autism, sent this article published in the Huffington Post today.

ANOTHER AUTISM CASE WINS IN VACCINE COURT
By Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

On February 12, the federal "Vaccine Court" in Washington issued a sweeping ruling in three highly touted "test cases" against families who claimed that their childrens' autism had been caused by vaccines. The Special Masters in those three cases found that Petitioners failed to establish causation between MMR vaccines, the mercury-laced vaccine preservative thimerosal, and autism (the court decision, which is under appeal, deferred any finding on a thimerosal-only theory of causation). The rulings could have a significant precedential impact on some 5,000 families who opted to bring their cases in the Omnibus Autism Proceedings (OAP) hoping that the vaccine court would officially hold that the MMR vaccine or thimerosal had caused autism in their children.

The New York Times joined the government Health Agency (HRSA) and its big pharma allies hailing the decisions as proof that the scientific doubts about vaccine safety had finally been "demolished." The US Department of Health and Human services said the rulings should "help reassure parents that vaccines do not cause autism." The Times, which has made itself a blind mouthpiece for HRSA and a leading defender of vaccine safety, joined crowing government and vaccine industry flacks applauding the decisions like giddy cheerleaders, rooting for the same court that many of these same voices viscously derided just one year ago, after Hannah Poling won compensation for her vaccine induced autism.

But last week, the parents of yet another child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were awarded a lump sum of more than $810,000 (plus an estimated $30-40,000 per year for autism services and care) in compensation by the Court, which ruled that the measels-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine had caused acute brain damage that led to his autism spectrum disorder.

The family of 10-year-old Bailey Banks won their case quietly and without fanfare in June of 2007, but the ruling has only now come to public attention. In the remarkably clear and eloquent decision, Special Master Richard Abell ruled that the Banks had successfully demonstrated that "the MMR vaccine at issue actually caused the conditions from which Bailey suffered and continues to suffer."

Bailey's diagnosis is Pervasive Developmental Disorder -- Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) which has been recognized as an autism spectrum disorder by CDC, HRSA and the other federal health agencies since at least the 1990s.

In his conclusion, Special Master Abell ruled that Petitioners had proven that the MMR had directly caused a brain inflammation illness called acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) which, in turn, had caused the autism spectrum disorder PDD-NOS in the child:

The Court found that Bailey's ADEM was both caused-in-fact and proximately caused by his vaccination. It is well-understood that the vaccination at issue can cause ADEM, and the Court found, based upon a full reading and hearing of the pertinent facts in this case, that it did actually cause the ADEM. Furthermore, Bailey's ADEM was severe enough to cause lasting, residual damage, and retarded his developmental progress, which fits under the generalized heading of Pervasive Developmental Delay, or PDD [an autism spectrum disorder]. The Court found that Bailey would not have suffered this delay but for the administration of the MMR vaccine, and that this chain of causation was... a proximate sequence of cause and effect leading inexorably from vaccination to Pervasive Developmental Delay.

Click on link to read the entire story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr-and-david-kirby/vaccine-court-autism-deba_b_169673.html

Until next time...

Building Great Health
K Wood

To Vaccinate or Not To Vaccinate?

Many parents today are unsure whether to have their children vaccinated. Many believe they don't have a choice. They believe vaccinations are required to attend public school. There are ways around the "mandatory" vaccinations. Parents are home-educating their children to avoid the so-called mandatory vaccinations dictated by the public school system. (However, we home educate our children as a mandate from God's Word.)

Legislation was passed in the U.S. in 1986 that confirmed independent research linking illness, injury, and even death with the administration of vaccines. Since accessing the legislative archives is more complicated than building a nuclear weapon, I turned to Wikipedia. Following is a short description of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) of 1986 as cited in Wikipedia. Though this legislation was crafted to protect the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry, please note the admittance of the government that vaccines are linked to injury even death. As a parent of three beautiful children, I am not willing to subject them to harm even if the experts say the benefits outweigh the risks.

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) of 1986 (42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to 300aa-34) was enacted in the United States to reduce the potential financial liability of vaccine makers due to vaccine injury claims. The legislation was aimed at ensuring a stable market supply, and to provide cost-effective arbitration for vaccine injury claims. Under the NCVIA, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) was created to provide a federal no-fault system for compensating vaccine-related injuries or death by establishing a claim procedure involving the United States Court of Federal Claims and special masters.

Below is a video from mercola.com. It shows that potential injury, even death, can occur when we allow vaccines to be given to our children. Prepared to be educated on vaccines - from the other side.

Building Great Health

K Wood

HEADACHE?

Have you ever suffered with headache pain and pressure? Well then this post is for you!

Headaches can result from a number of many sources such as stress, environmental factors (pollution), hormonal fluctuations, induced neck muscle tension, poor vertebral alignment, food, tired eyes, or lack of blood to the head. Severe unremitting pain in the head may indicate a more serious condition such as a cranial tumor, concussion or stroke. (If the pain is severe and reoccurring, please see your health care practitioner or naturopathic physician.) This is in no way an exhaustive list of reasons we get headaches. Discovering the source of headache pain and pressure is the ultimate goal in eradicating the problem all together. But until you find the source of your headaches, here is an all-natural remedy to get rid of headache pain.

Willow bark (Salix alba) has been used for thousands of years by ancient cultures to treat inflammation. Pain in general is a result of inflammation in that particular region of your body. (Pain is not necessarily negative. It is our body's way of communicating to us there is a problem.) The Greek physician, Hippocrates, wrote of the medicinal uses of white willow bark in the 5th century B.C.

We successfully use a willow bark tincture purchased from our local health food store to alleviate headache pain along with other inflammation related pain (usually activity related for me - i.e. mountain biking, skiing, or sledding). (We have added natural willow bark remedies to our Building Great Health Store for your convenience.)

Occasionally, my wife Gretchen, experiences headaches. Whenever this occurs, we pray the Lord to heal her. Oftentimes Jesus responds very quickly and the pain disappears. However, there are very few times the pain doesn't disappear and then she reaches for the willow bark tincture. Place two dropper-full amounts into an ounce or two of water then swallow. Within time, your headache pain will vanish. For those who may not be able to pallet the tincture taste, there is willow bark in the capsuled form.

For anyone who is allergic to aspirin, do not consume willow bark in any form. Most aspirins are derived from willow bark. However, the synthetic salicylic acid (the active ingredient) can be quite irritating to the lining of your stomach. At therapeutic doses, people using the synthetic salicylic acid developed stomach ulcers and bleeding. The natural salicylic acid along with the other ingredients found in willow bark are much less irritating. Although some have had mild side effects while using willow bark in larger doses.

Until next time, may you prosper both in health and spirit...And headache free!

Building Great Health
K. Wood