The common link between inflammation and chronic diseases

There are still many unknown causes of cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart attack (look at those who were medically fit and collapsed after a run).

However, one factor is common and is proven scientifically in almost all chronic and aging diseases. It is chronic low-grade inflammation.

We are familiar with acute inflammation such as infected throat, tonsils, and fever. It is usually resolved in a few days if the correct medications or herbs are taken.

Conversely, chronic low-grade inflammation, which can persist for several weeks or years, is an abnormal inflammatory response. This kind of inflammation leads to tissue damage, destruction of organs, joints etc.. In other words, speeding the wear and tear process. This is aging process.

As mentioned in several of my talks, delay aging strategy is the most effective and cost efficient strategy to minimize the risk of most diseases.

The inflammation profile test (available in my clinic) is a comprehensive diagnostic test which not only investigates markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein (CRP), but also the triggers.

The test only involves a blood spot (with 10 hours fast) and first-morning urine void.

The test investigates:

High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) – CRP is one of the most abundant acute protein in the body. It is produced in the liver and is triggered by infection, trauma (surgery, burns etc.), inflammation (examples are spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, arthritis etc.), and malignant cancer (examples lymphoma, leukemia, sarcoma).

The Arachidonic acid: Eicosapentaenoic acid ratio (AA:EPA) is a marker for inflammation. Essential fatty acids are known for their role in immunity and inflammatory processes. AA is an omega 6 pro-inflammatory EFA, while EPA is an omega 3 anti-inflammatory EFA.  To be healthy, you need a balance between the two. It is, therefore, a marker of inflammation.

17 ketosteroid/17-OH corticoid ratio. This is a marker for wear and tear of your body tissues and cells. The 17 keto and 17-OH corticoid analytes are androgens and glucocorticoid urinary metabolites respectively. This provides information on catabolism, ie. what is the status of your wear and tear or aging process rate.

To order the test, call my office at 65389978 and make an appointment to have a blood spot test. You need to fast for 10 hours (overnight is possible; no fluid and food except pure water). A first urine void needs to be collected as well.

I will suggest a holistic protocol to treat any inflammation and re-run the test after 3 months.  The cost for the test is $350.

What are the benefits of Flea wort seeds?

Many of you during the Herb Fest, bought the Jura Fleawort seeds for daily colon cleanse.  Flea seeds are also helpful in many other conditions.

Flea seed is one of the most important herb remedies in St Hildegard’s German medicine. Hildegard of Bingen, the famed 12th-century herbalist and mystic wrote – ‘they gladden the individual’s depressed disposition by virtue of their sweet temperament.’ In other words, all depressive conditions or any neurological issues can be corrected or improved with gut health. Interestingly, she knew this long before recent scientific discovery on the link between the gut and the brain.

Often, most colon cleansing remedies are too harsh on the body – coffee enema, colonic irrigation, lemon juice olive oil gall bladder cleanse (which may not be gall stones after all), caffeine detox products etc.  My philosophy is same as what the old doctors taught us – be gentle on the body.  The body is not ‘stupid’. Given the right gentle conditions, it will heal by itself. Fleawort seeds are safe to be taken daily without dependency issues or addiction.

I have taught most of you how to use it and here are some other indications for Fleawort seeds:

• Removes putrefactive toxins from intestines including excess ‘bad’ cholesterol and hormone residues.
• Soothes inflamed tissues- colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, piles
• Strengthen the colon muscles – diverticulitis. Some laxative herbs like senna and aloe vera leaf weaken the colonic muscles (in many slimming products).
• Promotes growth of friendly bacteria (enhanced by Phyto-nzyme)
• Treats dry constipation, very common in the elderly.
• Food poisoning. It reduces swelling, reduces diarrhoea, and heals the gut.
• The astringent properties of flea make it useful to stop bleeding as in piles and colitis.
• Treats leaky guy syndrome together with anti-inflammatory herbs.
• Taken before meals,  causes decrease in triglycerides and ‘bad’ cholesterol. Some other remedies such as drug statin or the herb red yeast rice attempt to block cholesterol production. It is not a good idea.
• Taken before meals, reduces blood sugar absorption – diabetic condition.