Your Life - Your Choice October, 1997 ========================= issue 1 Welcome to the first issue of Your Life - Your Choice. A FREE monthly subscription based newsletter geared to informing YOU about all forms of alternative and complimentary health and medical choices. Although traditional medicine provides us with a valuable resource, there are many gaps within the system. Alternative or complimentary medicines can play a very important role in filling those gaps. The role of this newsletter is to inform you of the numerous options that are available to you, and provide you with resources for additional information. This newsletter is meant to educate and inform. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe. As the editor of Your Life - Your Choice, I encourage you to consult with a reliable professional in your area in regards to any specific health issue. Brigitte Syneasel Editor Traditional Medicine Isn't Enough Any More! Your life is your choice - don't make it the doctor's choice! http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~b.synesael/yourlife ************************************************************* @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @ @ @ IN THIS ISSUE: @ @ @ @ 1. PLEASE VISIT OUR SPONSORS @ @ Our sponsors make this @ @ newsletter FREE to @ @ subscribers. Please take a @ @ moment to visit them. @ @ @ @ 2. TESTIMONIES FOR SUCCESS @ @ Discover how others @ @ successfully solved your @ @ problem. @ @ @ @ 3. DISPELLING VACCINATION MYTHS @ @ Are we putting our children @ @ at risk? @ @ @ @ 4. ACUPUNCTURE @ @ A new old tradition @ @ @ @ 5. CHOICE TIDBITS @ @ Can Flaxseed prevent cancer? @ @ Vitamin C-It's worth it. @ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Subscribe: mailto:majordomo@po.databack.com. Type "subscribe Your Life - Your Choice" in the body without the quotes. Or you can subscribe from the newsletter website: http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~b.synesael/yourlife Unsuscribe: mailto:majordomo@po.databack.com. Type "unsubscribe Your Life - Your Choice" in the body without the quotes. Or you can unsubscribe from the newsletter website: http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~b.synesael/yourlife Copyright 1997 by Brigitte Syneasel All rights reserved ************************************************************* Section 1. PLEASE VISIT OUR SPONSORS Improve Your Mental and physical Health with Do-It-Yourself Subliminals http://www.icemall.com/picto_super_deal.html ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Gain Power Through Knowledge! By evaluating YOUR unique situation you can find relief, painlessly and effortlessly with Enrich herbal combinations. Give your body the power to heal itself! Visit http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~b.synesael/herbal and find out how. Become a member and enter the contest to win FREE herbal combinations. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ************************************************************* Section 2. TESTIMONIES FOR SUCCESS Dear Brigitte; I wanted to share an experience I had that made my life a lot healthier and less painful by supplementing my diet. I was diagnosed with dysplasia of the breast about 6 years ago. It started out with just a single tender spot on the right breast and slowly spread to infect both breasts. The result was similar but more severe to being in the ninth month of pregnancy for 5 years. Because of my family history, I am considered a high risk for breast cancer, therefore I went for regular checkups and mammograms. My doctor routinely inquired about the pain of the dysplasia and asked if I was in need of pain killers. He stated the longer I could go without the better, as I would be dependant on them for the rest of my life. (Dysplasia is the mutation of new cell growth) I was introduced to herbal products by a family member about a year and a half ago and am now totally pain free with no need of painkillers and no side affects, other than I feel healthier, have more energy, and have lost an unneeded ten pounds. I believe that every woman should be taking a supplement with a concentration of indole-3-carbinols, which is the active ingredient in Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, etc. The ingredient that all Cancer Societies recommend that women should have. My children get it everyday as well because I don't believe any of us get enough NUTRITOUS vegetables in our diet. Laurie Ontario ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Brigitte, My grandson is 9 years old and has always been a pleasant child, helpful and eager to please (for short periods of time). However, at school especially, he was having difficulty concentrating and paying attention. He would leave his seat without permission, and be resentful of taking direction from teachers or anyone. Being his Grandma, I have lots of time to look into how to help this sometimes moody, sometimes happy little boy. I talked to parents, neighbours and everyone. Finally I heard about an herbal supplement that was having good results. His parents agreed that it was worth a try. About 3 weeks after taking his herbs we all noticed that he was more agreeable and not so jumpy. Even his teacher mentioned he was quicker and was taking more interest in finishing his work without complaints. It is now about 8 months since we started this herbal supplement and his whole attitude has improved tremendously. He wants to please rather than disrupt and is much more calm and relaxed. He gets along better at school and with his peers. He is a much happier child. His teacher has commented on his improved attitude and wishes she had more students like him. Herbal supplements are wonderful! I use them; our children do and now my grandson does. Connie Ontario ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you, or someone you know, have a testimony you'd like to share, it can be submitted to b.synesael@odyssey.on.ca with "Testimonies Your Life - Your Choice" in the subject heading. All testimonies should be kept to a maximum of about 200 words and should include the method of treatment used without naming industry specific brands. For example: "through the use of herbs" is permitted. However "by using XYZ herbs" is not. All submissions are subject to responsible editing and any reference made to an industry specific product will be edited out as this section is not intended to be an advertising platform. ************************************************************* Section 3. DISPELLING VACCINATION MYTHS: An introduction to the contradictions between medical science and immunization policy. by Alan Phillips INTRODUCTION Is there a legitimate controversy? When my son began his routine vaccination series at age 2 months, I did not know there were any risks associated with immunizations. But the clinic's literature contained a contradiction: the chances of a serious adverse reaction to the DPT vaccine were 1 in 1750, while his chances of dying from pertussis each year were 1 in several million. When I pointed this out to the physician, he angrily disagreed, and stormed out of the room mumbling, "I guess I should read that sometime..." Soon thereafter I learned of a child who had been permanently disabled by a vaccine, so I decided to investigate for myself. My findings have so alarmed me that I feel compelled to share them; hence, this report. Health authorities credit vaccines for disease declines, and assure us of their safety and effectiveness. Yet these seemingly rock-solid assumptions are directly contradicted by health statistics, medical studies, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports, and reputable research scientists from around the world. In fact, infectious diseases declined steadily for decades prior to vaccinations, U.S. doctors report thousands of serious vaccine reactions each year including hundreds of deaths and permanent disabilities, fully vaccinated populations have experienced epidemics, and researchers attribute dozens of chronic immunological and neurological conditions to mass immunization programs. There are hundreds of published medical studies documenting vaccine failure and adverse effects, and dozens of books written by doctors, researchers, and independent investigators that reveal serious flaws in immunization theory and practice. Ironically, most pediatricians and parents are completely unaware of these findings. However, this has begun to change in recent years, as a growing number of parents and healthcare providers around the world are becoming aware of the problems and starting to question the use of widespread, mandatory vaccinations. My point is not to tell anyone whether or not to vaccinate, but rather, with the utmost urgency, to point out some very good reasons why everyone should examine the facts before deciding whether or not to submit to the procedure. As a new parent, I was shocked to discover the absence of a legal mandate or professional ethic requiring pediatricians to be fully informed, and to see first-hand the prevalence of physicians who are applying practices based on incomplete--and in some cases, outright mis--information. Though only a brief introduction, this report contains sufficient evidence to warrant further investigation by all concerned, which I highly recommend. You will find that this is the only way to get an objective view, as the controversy is a highly emotional one. A note of caution: Be careful trying to discuss this subject with a pediatrician. Most have staked their identities and reputations on the presumed safety and effectiveness of vaccines, and thus have difficulty acknowledging evidence to the contrary. The first pediatrician I attempted to share my findings with yelled angrily at me when I calmly brought up the subject. The misconceptions have very deep roots. ... ... This report by Alan Phillips contains very powerful research, and as the editor of Your Life-Your Choice I felt it was important to share this with you. I extend my apologies in that the findings of Alan are too lengthy to include within this newsletter. I strongly encourage you to go to the Your Life-Your Choice website; http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~b.synesael/yourlife/issue1.html where this article is featured in its entirety. As parents, we owe it to our children to investigate this further. As adults, we owe it to ourselves to discover how facts can be manipulated. Alan will uncover the 10 myths and truths of vaccinations. He'll also share with you the resources that support his findings and where YOU can acquire additional information on this highly controversial issue. Brigitte Synesael Editor of Your Life - Your Choice ************************************************************* Section 4. ACUPUNCTURE - A NEW OLD TRADITION Christopher C. Browne Christopher Browne is a certified Doctor of Acupuncture. His studies were conducted at Colombo South General Hospital, Sri Lanka (known as the largest and best teaching facility in the world of Acupuncture). He has acquired a D.AC., Ph.D in Acupuncture and is one of 4 C.A.P.'s (Certified Addiction Professional) in Canada. Among other associations, he is a founder member of the Comonwealth Institute of Acupuncture & Natural Medicines. Christopher Browne accepts appointments at 117 Grand Ave, London, Ontario, N6C 1L9 and can be reached at (519)439-0854. In North America, one of the most highly industrialized societies in the world, people are enjoying a very affluent lifestyle, free of the life depravities common in many developing countries. However, millions of people suffer from various kinds of non-infectious, chronic, constitutional and aging induced degenerative ailments. Our intense industrialization and urbanization have produced a very complicated competitive and fast moving society which produces constant emotional and mental strain or "stress". How to cope with stress related ailments effectively is fast becoming our main concern. Today, more and more people are seeking alternative therapies. This trend has been very conscious over the past two decades. In 1972, the news of Acupuncture Anesthesia from China surged all over the world. This focused attention on oriental medicine has been practiced as a genuine medicine in China and other far eastern countries for the past three thousand years. Today, more and more western medical professionals have started studying and practicing Acupuncture. The demand has been increasing yearly. The World Health Organization has adopted Acupuncture, moxibustion and Chinese Herbology as an alternative medicine. It has been actively promoting its understanding and development all over the world. Oriental medicine is growing in popularity steadily in spite of its rather unintelligible science, for these reasons: 1. It is an empirical medicine which has been developed, and systemized, and has survived for 3,000 years among Asian people. 2. It is effective for non-infectious, chronic, constitutional and degenerative disorders and stress-related ailments, which have not been adequately coped with by conventional medicine. 3. It is based on a philosophy that the human being is part of nature; our body is controlled by the universal law (Natural Law); therefore we have to live in harmony with nature as much as possible. This philosophy matches the demands of modern people who have been deprived of living in harmony with nature because of the rapid urbanization and it's artificial environment. 4. It emphasizes the holistic approach towards ailments and the diseased person; the patient is treated just as a whole being with union of body, mind and spirit, instead of being treated as a diseased body. The therapist's relationship towards the patient is emphatic, personal and close. 5. It is very natural, safe and has virtually no side effects. The most commonly accepted theory is the "Nerve-reflex Theory". It holds that when abnormal conditions occur in an internal organ, alterations take place in the skin and muscle related to that organ via the nervous system. The nervous system extending through the internal organs, the skin and the subcutaneous tissue and muscles, constantly transmit information about the physical condition to the spinal cord and the brain. These information impulses set up a reflex action that cause symptoms of internal organic disorders to manifest themselves on the surface areas of the body as hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity, spasm, contraction, tightness or lumping of the muscles, discolouration, dryness or oiliness of the skin, etc. At the same time, the ultimate relation of the internal organs and external ones has the reverse effect too. I.e. stimulation on the skin and the muscles from the outside are transmitted to the inside via the nervous system. It is in these areas that Acupuncture and moxibustion has utilized this relationship to its advantage. In fact it has been scientifically verified that Acupuncture and moxibustion can cause dilation of the vessels and increase the overall blood and lymph circulation, increase the production of blood cells, activate the hormone secretion and immune system, relax the contracted or spastic muscles etc. It is now believed that Acupuncture releases endorphins. Bruce Pomeranzs M.D. (McGill), Ph.D. (Harvard), Professor of Neurobiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada pioneer scientific worker on the Endorphin Mechanism found that it is by this mechanism that Acupuncture has it's analgesic effect. Medical professionals as well as the public in our western countries are conditioned to believe that Oriental medicine, especially Acupuncture can be effective only for "pain relief". However, in the Asian and some European countries these treatments have been applied to almost every kind of ailment and the public are more aware of its merits and demerits. Popular belief is that Oriental medicine is more effective for non-infectious, chronic, constitutional and aging induced diseases, while Western medicine is very effective for acute, infectious and mechanical disorders. The World Health Organization has put forward a similar list of disorders, which lend themselves to Oriental medicines. >From my clinical experiences, the most commonly treatable ailments by Acupuncture and moxibustion are: 1. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Acute chronic gastritis stomach or duodenum ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, chronic liver and gall bladder problems, heartburn, nausea, stomach cramps, etc. 2. DERMATOLOGICAL SYSTEM Eczema, acne, strophulus, itchy skin, hives, warts, freckles, herpes zoster, hair loss problems, etc. 3. EYES, EARS AND NOSE Eye strain, stye, conjunctivitis, cataracts, iritis, blood-shot eyes, ear-ache, ringing in the ears, hearing difficulties, menieres syndrome, sinus problems, rhinitis, stuffed nose, snoring, etc. 4. EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHIATRIC Depression, insomnia, neurosis, stress and tension, irritability, senile dementia, etc. 5. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM Diabetes, thyroid problems, gout, etc. 6. GENITO URINARY SYSTEM Urethritis, cystitis, painful or irregular menstruation, pregnancy induced problems, proctitis, urination problems, frequent or infrequent nephrosis, kidney malfunction, impotency, menopausal syndrome, etc. 7. MOUTH Stomatitis, sore tongue, toothache, tonsillitis, etc. 8. MOTHER AND INFANT Insufficient lactation, mastitis, habitual miscarriage, morning sickness, malposition of the fetus, bedwetting, night crying, hyperactivity, auto intoxication, habitual vomiting, etc. 9. MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM Stiff or painful neck or shoulders, backache (acute or chronic), sciatica, arthritis, tendonitis, rheumatism. 10. HEAD Headaches, migraine, neuralgia (facial, intercostal, etc.) facial paralysis, numbness in the hands and feet, post stroke syndrome, etc. 11. RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY Common cold, bronchitis, asthma, hay fever, heart palpitation, arrythmia, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, poor blood circulation, etc. 12. OTHERS Smoking addiction, weight loss and general health maintenance...the newest technological breakthrough in Laser therapy & Electro Acupuncture. This is only a partial list of the ailments treated by Acupuncture and moxibustion; Oriental medicine could be applied to more ailments in combination with Western medicine for the welfare of all. More and more Medical Universities are combining both schools of medicine. Gynecologists are using Acupuncture to relieve labour pains and correct malposition of the fetus in the mother's womb. Dentists are using it as anesthesia for the extraction of teeth and operations on the gums. A FUTURE MEDICINE During the last few decades, scientific discoveries have caused an incredible expansion in the frontiers of knowledge. Revolutionary breakthrough's, each with the potential equal to the discovery of gunpowder are now accelerating the pace of human affairs. Einstein's theory of relativity, high energy physics, decoding of the genetic space travel, the evolution of cybernetics and computers as a tool of human intelligence have been remarkable advancements. Despite the destructive applications of several discoveries, each possesses a common denominator. They all represent the expansion of human understanding into an area where logical reasoning seems no longer relevant or valid. Acupuncture and moxibustion, although effective is now on the threshold of being understood. As it's mechanisms are revealed through carefully controlled scientific research, it is offering another breakthrough in health care. ************************************************************* Section 5. CHOICE TIDBITS The Facts on Flaxseed Flaxseed has emerged as food with potential disease-fighting power and the national Cancer Institute is currently studying its possible health benefits, reports Environmental Nutrition (August 1995). "The renewed interest in flax has been fueled by its possible link to preventing cancer. Flaxseeds are an important source of lignins, plant compounds that provide fiber and exhibit anti-cancer properties. In humans, cancers of the breast, colon and prostate are cited as most likely to be thwarted by lignins, but more studies are needed." The report continues, "Flaxseed is a rich source of alphalinolenic acid, and essential fatty acid the body can convert into omega 3 fatty acids. Research has indicated that omega 3 has been shown to keep blood platelets from sticking together and building up on artery walls." (Let's Live, April 1996) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Antioxidant Interactions "Epidemiologist Paul Jacques and his colleagues at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, gathered diet information and blood samples from 680 elderly people to find out how antioxidants interact. The researchers separated people by how much vitamin C and carotenoids - a family of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables - they were getting from food. They also asked whether the volunteers were taking vitamin E supplements. Then the scientists checked blood smples to see whether participants who were getting a lot of one vitamin had higher levels of the others. Vitamin C came out on top, providing the strongest protection to the other vitamins: The group who got the most vitamin C from their diet (more than 220 milligrams a day, or roughly the amount in four oranges) had, on an average, 18 percent more vitamin E in their blood than people with the lowest intake of C (below 120 mg a day). Similarly, carotenoid levels jumped 13 percent for the high-C group. Meanwhile, those who got the most carotenoids (more than 5.5 mg a day, or what you'd get from three to five servings of a colorful mix of vegetables) had six percent more vitamin E in their blood. The people who got more than 30 mg a day of vitamin E had seven percent more vitamin C… Because people with highest intake of vitamin C received the most benefits, it's worth ensuring that you get at least 220 mg a day. (Health, May/June 1996) ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Disclaimer All material appearing in this newsletter is provided for educational purposes only. It is provided with the understanding that authors and contributors are not offering medical advice or services. We strongly encourage you to consult with your own physician regarding any recommendations with respect to your own medical condition. ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// *************************************************************** * * * I know you have friends who would be interested * * in this information. Put them in your debt and * * forward a copy of Your Life - Your Choice to them. * * * *************************************************************** ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Subscribe: mailto:majordomo@po.databack.com. Type "subscribe Your Life - Your Choice" in the body without the quotes. Or you can subscribe from the newsletter website: http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~b.synesael/yourlife Unsuscribe: mailto:majordomo@po.databack.com. Type "unsubscribe Your Life - Your Choice" in the body without the quotes. Or you can unsubscribe from the newsletter website: http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~b.synesael/yourlife For sponsorship & advertising information, mailto:b.synesael@odyssey.on.ca SUBJECT: Send Your Choice Advertising Rates Send in your testimonies, mailto:b.synesael@odyssey.on.ca with "Testimonies Your Life - Your Choice" in the subject heading. This is YOUR newsletter! Share your thoughts, what you'd like to see by emailing, mailto:b.synesael@odyssey.on.ca with "Feedback Your Life - Your Choice" in the subject heading. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////