Heavy Metal Toxicity and Vaccinations

Heavy Metal Toxicity: We are all in this together

From Cradle to Grave

The umbilical cord was once thought to protect the fetus from all contaminants.  However, the cord blood has been found to carry a steady stream of chemicals, pollutants and pesticides across the placenta.  Tragically, the pollution in our toxic world permeates all living things. Over 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants have been found in umbilical cord blood.  

U.S. industries manufacture and import approximately 75,000 chemicals, 3,000 of them at over a million pounds per year. They are in our soil, our air and our water.  They are in our food and in our bodies.

A very short list of bad toxins:

Mercury (Hg)

Pollutant from coal-fired power plants, mercury-containing products, and certain industrial processes. Accumulates in seafood. Harms brain development and function.

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Pollutants from burning gasoline and garbage. Linked to cancer. Accumulates in food chain.

Polybrominated dibenzodioxins and furans (PBDD/F)

Contaminants in brominated flame retardants. Pollutants and byproducts from plastic production and incineration. Accumulate in food chain. Toxic to developing endocrine (hormone) system

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs)

Active ingredients or breakdown products of Teflon, Scotchgard, fabric and carpet protectors, food wrap coatings. Global contaminants. Accumulate in the environment and the food chain. Linked to cancer, birth defects, and more.

Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and furans (PCDD/F) - tested for 17, found 11
Pollutants, by-products of PVC production, industrial bleaching, and incineration. Cause cancer in humans. Persist for decades in the environment. Very toxic to developing endocrine (hormone) system.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCs)

DDT, chlordane and other pesticides. Largely banned in the U.S. Persist for decades in the environment. Accumulate up the food chain, to man. Cause cancer and numerous reproductive effects.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

Flame retardant in furniture foam, computers, and televisions. Accumulates in the food chain and human tissues. Adversely affects brain development and the thyroid.

Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs)

Wood preservatives, varnishes, machine lubricating oils, waste incineration. Common PCB contaminant. Contaminate the food chain. Cause liver and kidney damage.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Industrial insulators and lubricants. Banned in the U.S. in 1976. Persist for decades in the environment. Accumulate up the food chain, to man. Cause cancer and nervous system problems.

Human babies and young animals must survive a myriad of man-made onslaughts even before their immune system can fully develop.  Vaccines are not the answer – they add even more toxic heavy metals (aluminum and mercury) to the body. 

The symptoms of heavy metal poisoning and toxicity could fill pages.  Metabolic disorders, endocrine disease, hormone imbalance, kidney disease, fatigue, severe headaches, psychological “diseases/mental disorders are the tip of the iceberg.

Detoxification

Knowledge is power.  We cannot depend on the medical (or veterinary) establishment to make us healthy. 

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. He also said that all disease begins in the gut – our “physical plant” and bio-processing unit.

Good health is a lifestyle, not a diet.   Since there are ten to 100 times more toxins in fat than in blood, diet and exercise are key.  Sweat can release toxins.  (Use a deodorant that does not contain aluminum!  This puts more toxins into your body while blocking others from leaving the body. This is the underlying cause of breast cancer.  Those lymph nodes need to be detoxed)

Detoxification is a slow process.  It may take months and sometimes you will feel worse before you feel better – but the long term health benefits outweigh any temporary discomfort.

The one-two punch: Cracked Chlorella and Milk Thistle

Chlorella is a powerful green food.  This single-celled micro-algae is small and its molecular structure binds it to metals, chemicals and some pesticides.  It binds to lingering heavy metals and toxins in your digestive tract and will eliminate them from your body.  Nature via cracked chlorella, in all her wisdom, knows which metals belong in your body, such as calcium, magnesium and zinc, and which ones do not belong there.  This is the amazing quality of plant based medicine.  (Its cousin, spirulina is also beneficial to health in so many ways and I take this one every day)

So many amazing supplements are holistic because they do not treat just one symptom but have numerous benefits to health.  Cracked chlorella is 50 percent protein and is considered a complete amino acid-based food. It helps the body process more oxygen, purifies the blood, helps to regulate blood pressure, can also eliminate fungi (yeast) from your body, helps repair and promote growth of new tissue, improves digestion, provides B vitamins, boosts the immune system, normalizes blood sugar and increases energy at the cellular level.

We must take chlorella that has a broken cell wall since our stomach acid cannot break it open.  Chlorella also contains iron.  To avoid iron overload, be moderate in your dosage.  Detoxification should be slow and steady.  You do not have to take numerous pills each day for it to work its magic.   

More is not always better.  The supplement is powerful, so you may choose to take it three or four times a week instead of daily.

If you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant, take cracked chlorella for your health and your baby’s health! (How many drug manufacturers can say that?)  If possible, say NO to the recommended vaccines required during pregnancy.  (See list here http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/downloads/f_preg_chart.pdf) 

Dogs and cats can also safely take cracked chlorella.  Cut back on the dosage if you see loose stools. Buy the best supplement you can find.  Make sure it is certified organic.

Milk Thistle

This is another amazing herb also known as St. Mary thistle, holy thistle and Lady’s thistle. Milk thistle detoxifies and protests vital liver functions.  It will protect the liver as your body is ridding itself of toxins and heavy metals. 

A great deal of research is available about the many benefits of milk thistle.  The United States National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have cataloged more than 400 scientific studies of milk thistle and its active compounds in their medicine database.  This supplement is also available for dogs and cats.

Milk thistle has demonstrated powerful healing power in chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, liver damage caused by steroid usage and other pharma drugs.  It aids in lowering cholesterol levels, reduces growth of various types of cancer, helps prevent Alzheimer’s (due to ridding the body of toxins), improves blood sugar levels, contains anti-aging properties and reduces cell damage caused by radiation and chemotherapy.  . Take milk thistle daily before and during radiation treatments to protect your body.

Take care of yourselves, your children and your pets.  Yes, we live in a very toxic environment but we can learn how to be healthy and strengthen our immune systems the natural way.

Further Reading

Dr. Axe.  Chlorella benefits and side effects

http://draxe.com/7-proven-chlorella-benefits-side-effects/

You should be aware that WebMD is owned and operated by the pharmaceutical industry.  Their information is generally biased against traditional holistic medicine. 

You can find medical research articles at www.pubmed.gov and the Natural News Science website http://science.naturalnews.com/ which is a great resource

Food Additives - the Dirty Dozen
http://www.ewg.org/research/ewg-s-dirty-dozen-guide-food-additives

Toxic Exposure database
http://www.t3db.ca/

Vaccination 101

Natural Immunity

These vaccinations are given before the baby has had a chance to develop a healthy immune system.  Mother’s milk or colostrum is high in the immunoglobulin IgA, which coats the GI tract. This helps to protect the newborn until its own immune system is functioning properly.  Colostrum also enhances resistance to the harmful effects of pollutants, contaminants and allergens. When breast feeding is inconvenient or not practical, quality formulas containing colostrum can duplicate some of the benefits of mother’s milk.

Herd Immunity

This is the theory that everyone should get vaccinated in order to protect those that are unvaccinated.  What!?!  We are led to believe that when we vaccinate our children, they are protected from the unvaccinated. 

In order to demonstrate the flaw in the herd immunity theory, let’s look at the MMR vaccine.  Children vaccinated with the MMR measles vaccine (a live attenuated viral vaccine) can actually become carriers of the disease.  It is interesting to note that those who do vaccinate their children insist that those who choose not to vaccinate their children, must be made to do so!  Their children are vaccinated so what do they have to fear from those children who are not?  Even if the unvaccinated children had measles, theoretically, their vaccinated children should be protected.  However, the facts reveal the truth.  Not only can vaccinated children spread measles, they can experience what is now called vaccine-related measles.

Heavy Metal Toxicity

Aluminum is the most common adjuvant in all vaccines, both veterinary and human. Aluminum causes degeneration of the brain and nervous system. Brain inflammation, oxidative damage, low levels of brain antioxidants (i.e., glutathione) and disturbances in calcium balance at the cellular level are affected by aluminum.

It can severely impact an immature and developing brain.  In the aging brain, aluminum can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and ALS.  Research has uncovered an aluminum core in each brain plaque formation in Alzheimer’s patients.  This applies to both dogs and people. Vaccines also contain mercury (Thimerosal), another toxic heavy metal that will accumulate in the brain and lead to cognitive dysfunction.

The UC Davis study indicates that in addition to being a direct neurotoxicant, Thimerosal may also be an immunotoxicant, leaving the immune system vulnerable to microbes and other external influences.

Side Effects

Always read the package inserts for any drug you plan to take.  Research the pros and cons and make informed decisions.  Ask yourself these important questions: How was the drug or vaccine tested (if it was even tested)?; How long was it studied before it went on the market?; what are the ingredients?  How does it affect the body? You will have to find a copy of a vaccination insert on the Internet.  It will not be provided to you

NCVIA/NCVIP

In October 1986, the U.S. Congress passed the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA). The act included a number of regulations related to informed consent and adverse event reporting.  Vaccine providers must give patients an information sheet regarding some, but not all, vaccinations.  Side effects are downplayed and have simply become a routine part of getting a shot.

The NCVIA also established a system for reporting suspected vaccine-related adverse events called VAERS – the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.  The system was established to limit manufacturer liability and pave the way for research into new vaccines.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) established the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) in 1988. NVICP is funded by a tax of $0.75 per vaccine dose, collected from vaccine manufacturers and passed on to the patient. The NVICP does not cover all vaccines; however, vaccines routinely given to children as part of the recommended immunization schedule are included, and some adult vaccines are covered as well.

Under the NVICP, those claiming a vaccine injury from a covered vaccine cannot sue a vaccine manufacturer without first filing a claim with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Civil suits can be filed only if the NVICP claim is denied or if the claimant rejects the compensation. No amount of money can compensate for the pain and heartbreak of the families that that result from vaccines known to cause severe injury to children.  The money can, however, help ease the financial burden of caring for these children.

As you can imagine, these federal claims may take years to be resolved while families struggle to care for their injured children.  By March 1, 2010, 13,330 cases had been filed in the special vaccine court, with 5,617 representing autism cases. Of those 13,330 cases filed, only 2,409 were compensated. The rest were dismissed, but there were 5,933 cases still pending, and most of those were claims for vaccine-induced autism, mostly due to either the MMR vaccine, or vaccines containing thimerosal (mercury).

Not surprisingly, the vaccine court litigated against three test cases, from all that were filed, that involved autism.  The court’s own appointed judges ruled in each case that vaccines were not the cause of autism.  Numerous research papers have since shown a direct link between vaccines and autism.

In the meantime, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has accumulated $3.5 BILLION in vaccine tax revenue which is currently “sitting” in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund.  The program itself, via the federal agency, is funded by taxpayer money.

Immunity for Drug Manufacturers – not for People

The truth is that the drug manufacturers threatened to stop manufacturing vaccines if they were not granted legal immunity from damages due to vaccines. It was no longer profitable for them to continue manufacturing vaccines in a free market, because of the large amount of lawsuits for injuries and deaths due to vaccines.  The result?  Drug companies received total immunity from civil litigation due to injuries and deaths resulting from vaccines.  They were not held accountable or required to make safer vaccines.

Drug Manufacturers Create Lifelong Patients

The lifetime costs of autism average $1.4 million to $2.4 million . The number of individuals with autism is estimated at more than 3.5 million in the United States and that number will continue to grow.

EYE HEALTH

Journal of a Diabetic (Continued)

Live and Learn

I began this new part of my journey when I went for my yearly eye exam.  I knew I needed a new prescription for glasses.  The ophthalmologist also did a tomography of my eyes and told me he would call me in a day or two to tell me what he found.  This was weeks ago and I have never talked directly to him for his initial diagnosis.

Instead, his office made me an appointment for a retinal specialist.  I called three times to get details of what they saw and what the appointment at the specialists was for.  Oh, it is just a second opinion they told me.  Finally, I managed to talk to the tech who takes the pictures.  Again, she consulted my doctor.  She told me he saw a slight swelling in my edema.  OK – that’s a start.

Each of the three people I spoke with were more concerned about me keeping the appointment they made me.  I heard bells going off.  I told one of the girls that the time and date were inconvenient with me and I would reschedule it myself.  That would be so inconvenient for the specialists!  They are a busy busy office and I was lucky to get in so early.  The bells grew louder.

The tech I spoke to seemed a bit put out that I was trying to get more information.  I told her I wanted to be informed before I saw the specialist.  Did they just see swelling – or did they see blood leakage or ischemia?  I told her that for all I knew, the doctor could have seen a retinal detachment.   She said, no, just swelling but without a formal diagnosis from my doctor, I didn’t exactly take her word.  So I began to research.

DME: Diabetic Macular Edema

I was aware that my triglycerides and A1C were up and I was and still am working on bringing them back down.  This, in and of itself, can cause changes in vision.  Diabetes is a disease of the extremities – it will first attack the small blood vessels and capillaries.  Circulation and oxygen to these areas is of prime concern.

When the macular is not receiving enough oxygenated blood, the body will often grow new blood sources.  These tangles (ischemia) are harmful to vision.  (the same process happens in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients)  Macular degeneration begins when the cells are not getting the oxygen and nutrients they need.  Cells can also pull apart and allow blood leakage into the back of the eye.

My eye doctor's office told me to wait for a package from the retinal specialist.  I wrongly assumed that they would send me more information on DME and procedures they use to improve vision.  Wrong.  The packet contained 10 pages of questionnaires about my insurance, my health, what medications and supplements I took etc etc.  They wanted to know all about me – but I knew nothing about them.

Though I found no information on the Wichita retinal specialists’ website, other retinal specialists provided more.  Laser treatment can seal off blood leakage, but only works for a minority of patients and may require 3-6 months of healing.  Vision may or may not be improved.

The new treatments focus is on intravitreal injections with anti-VEGF agents (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor).  The general drug of choice was approved by the FDA in 2010 for use in the USA.  Lucentis (ranibizumag)  is manufactured by Genetech (owned by Roche).  The treatments must be done on a monthly basis and each treatment costs around $2,000.  Pharma makes millions of dollars off this drug. Lucentis brought in $153 million is sales for just one quarter.  By the way, doctors often receive kickbacks (finders fees) for each patient referral they make to specialists.

Lucentis: Risks

From the website:  LUCENTIS is a prescription medication given by injection into the eye, and it has side effects. Some LUCENTIS patients have had detached retinas and serious infections inside the eye. You should not use LUCENTIS if you have an infection in or around the eye or are allergic to LUCENTIS or any of its ingredients.

Uncommonly, LUCENTIS patients have had serious, sometimes fatal, problems related to blood clots, such as heart attacks or strokes.

Some patients have had increased eye pressure before and within 1 hour of an injection.

Serious side effects include inflammation inside the eye and, rarely, problems related to the injection procedure, such as cataracts. These side effects can make your vision worse.

The most common eye-related side effects are increased redness in the white of the eye, eye pain, small specks in vision, and increased eye pressure. The most common non-eye-related side effects are nose and throat infections, headache, lung/airway infections, and nausea.

If your eye becomes red, sensitive to light, or painful, or if you have a change in vision, call or visit your eye doctor right away.

Pro Active Measures

I had read enough. I have no problem with medical procedures that have overall success and positive outcomes.  Monthly injections after sitting hours in a busy doctor’s office?  No thank you.  Not only that, but at best, vision will be improved for maybe 2 or 3 years.  Surely, there is a better solution.

I began to research.  I first read about a preventative drug called Aminoguonidine (pimagidine) that you take with B6.   It never made it to market.  A more natural approach is to get plenty of saponins in your diet.  They also inhibit glycation.

Saponins

Saponins have hemolytic, expectorative, anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating activity. Beyond that, saponins demonstrate antimicrobial properties particularly against fungi and additionally against bacteria and protozoa. Eating saponins may help lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. Your immune function benefits from these plant compounds as well. Your risk of developing certain forms of cancer or getting tumors may even decrease from eating more saponins.

Saponins are found in a number of foods and herbs including most vegetables, beans and herbs.  Examples are peas, alfalfa, garlic, agave, bacopa monierri, wild yam, fenugreek, ginseng, paprika, tribulus terrestris,  yucca, quinoa, maca, wild jujube, yucca, green tea and medical marijuana.  We all need saponins in our diet.

Glycation

Glycation is the culprit behind diabetic related diseases.  Glycation is the result of the bonding of a protein or lipid molecule with a sugar molecule, such as fructose or glucose, without the controlling action of an enzyme. This results in the formation of rogue molecules known as advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs).

So I wondered, is there anything that can break down glycation?  I found a chemical called ALT-711 – Thiazodium chloride – Alagebrium.  Clinical trials were abandoned due to lack of funding.  It is available on the net but it is a very harsh chemical that can cause more problems if not used properly.

Next I searched for a natural source of this chemical and I found the phenol, chebulic acid (found in Terminalia chebula).   This article has a wealth of information and I highly recommend anyone struggling with macular degeneration to read it.

Chebulic acid is a phenolic compound isolated from the ripe fruits of Terminalia chebula. Terminalia chebula is a tree grown in India and Asia. In Ayruvedic medicine it is called Haritaki in the Hindi language. Terminalia chebula extract is also found in the ayruvedic formula called Triphala which means “Three Fruits”.

This article lists a number of natural supplements that will inhibit glycation as well.  There are numerous references to scientific studies on this supplement.  I plan to try this supplement this along with other herbs that strengthen the macula.  First on my list are more carotenoids.

Carotenoids

Definition: Any of a group of red, orange, or yellow pigmented polyisoprenoid hydrocarbons synthesized by prokaryotes and higher plants and concentrating in animal fat when eaten. There are more than 600 types of carotenoids. The most common ones in the Western diet, and the most studied, are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene.

There are two broad classifications of carotenoids: carotenes and xanthophylls. The difference between the two groups is chemical: xanthophylls contain oxygen, while carotenes are hydrocarbons and do not contain oxygen. Also, the two absorb different wavelengths of light during a plant’s photosynthesis process, so xanthophylls are more yellow while carotenes are orange. 

Astaxanthins are 550 x stronger than vitamin E and 6,000 times stronger than Vitamin C.  The astaxanthins include lutein and zeazanthins.  Lutein is the yellow pigment found in marigolds and calendula.  These yellow pigments are necessary for macula health.  Other herbs that are beneficial to the eye are saffron, berberine, goldenseal and phellodendron.  They are also found in dark green foods like spinach and kale.

Choose Wisely

I have chosen to trust the Great Physician and my gut feelings.  When I was first told about the appointment that was made for me at the retinal specialists, I did not have a good feeling.  I did not like the way things were handled on my behalf nor did I like the fact that they gave me no information about my own tomography.  The more I read and learned, the more I knew I was doing the right thing by cancelling the appointment. 

If there was a procedure that had overall good results, I am not totally against conventional medicine.  However, I do feel that patients should be advised on preventative and holistic medicine and alternatives long before invasive, costly and questionable procedures are presented.  It has been my experience that patients are often coerced into such scenarios by fear and manipulation.  If at all possible, take your time before being rushed into something that does not feel right.

There are so many healthy alternatives that can be tailored to your specific needs.  One size does not fit all.

Basic Holistic Rx:  Powerful oxidants for the eye, increase blood oxygenation (deep breathing, exercise, NAC, EDTA etc), take preventative supplements and a good eye supplement (lutein, zeazanthin, selenium, copper,  ), L-carnitine, B12, milk thistle to protect the liver while ridding the body of the glycation and Vitamin E as alph-tocopherol to normalize blood flow to retina and kidneys.  Keep LDL and cholesterol down and use a natural vaso-dilator if you can. Keep the veins, arteries and capillaries soft and supple. This will help your body detox from the breakdown of glycation.

You may want to research acupuncture as well.  You will learn how the energy meridians of the body are interconnected and by taking care of one disease, you can create overall health.

Research Basics

Research drugs and procedures that you are advised to use.  ALWAYS take the possible side effects seriously.  Who manufactures the drug?  How much money do they make on this drug or procedure?  Are there any lawsuits regarding the drug or procedure?

Search for the chemical used by a drug manufacturer and see if you can find a natural alternative

Do your research and read all you can

See what foods contain sources of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants in them.  Eat healthy.

https://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-vitamin-A.php#

Use the handy drop down list on the black bar at the top of the page

Check PubMed.gov for scientific studies done on the alternative source of medicine.  If the article is extremely negative, see who funded the study.  (PS  Web MD is owned by big pharma – so avoid this website at all costs)

Further Reading

Goji Berries for the Macula

An invaluable tool:  The Natural News search site

Life Extension article on diabetic retinopathy

Herbs for Healthy Eyes

What are Carotenoids?  Jessie Szalay. Live Science Contributor