AUGUST 20, 2010 MY BROKEN BONE AND ....

"Serenity is the gift promised when we let GOD handle our lives. No crisis need worry us. The solution is only a prayer away."

I love serenity. Is there anyone reading this who doesn't love serenity? I didn't know what serenity was before I let GOD handle my life. God manages my life by me just letting go. I found a GOD when I was young in an organized religion, Catholicism. As I got older, living life on life's terms-- I stopped going to church and following the religious path. I came back to religion as I wanted my children to attend catholic school.

In the midst of my addiction I didn't turn to GOD and the church unless I was asking for help. It went like this--Please GOD I promise not to do this again if you get me out of this jam. I got out of the jam and the drug induced daze, and once again I did again and again. The beginning of a new year, 1994 didn't start out so well. My Uncle Joe had passed away on January 2, 1994. I remember the wake and funeral as if it was yesterday. By March 1994, I was in a rehabilitation center mourning the death of former President Nixon.

By the time June 1994 approached I was counting days. God was present in my life in the AA rooms. Slowly I began to look at GOD as Good Orderly Direction. This was different from the GOD at St John the Baptist Church in Yonkers. In a confessional booth as I confessed my sins and being a homosexual, I was asked to leave church. I returned to church on very few occasions. I went for my Poppy's funeral, the children's communion and confirmation, and my father's funeral. I have attended different places of worship since 1994, mainly to seek peace, serenity and love. I go to places of worship to meditate. So for me today, serenity is only a prayer away.

Back to the heart...No, not the heart. I am on an herbal school weekend in Ithaca. I want to discuss two herbs that I find fascinating. I want to discuss Calendula and Boneset.

Calendula (pronounced /kəˈlɛndjuːlə/ Ca-lén-du-la), pot marigold, is a genus of about 12-20 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to the area from Macaronesia east through the Mediterranean region to Iran. Calendula should not be confused with other plants that are also known as marigolds, such as plants of the genus Tagetes, corn marigolds or marsh marigolds. The name Calendula stems from the Latin kalendae, meaning first day of the month, presumably because pot marigolds are in bloom at the start of most months of the year. Pot Marigolds typically bloom quickly (in under two months) in bright yellows, reds, and oranges throughout the summer and well into the fall.

Pot Marigolds are considered by many gardening experts as one of the most versatile flowers to grow in a garden, especially since they are easy to grow. Seeds sown in the spring in most soils will germinate freely in sunny or half-sunny locations. It is recommended to deadhead (remove the dying flower heads) the plants regularly to maintain even blossom production. This is the same for basil. I had to dead head all the petunias this year to get new growth of flowers. My hands were sticky. This was from the resin of the flower. Calendula is not native to the USA.

When people hear that calendula is in an herbal preparation it is an easy sell. People like calendula--especially the smell and its medicinal properties. It is easily used with other herbs. Tonight I learned that Calendula alone does very little harm. It is called a vulnerary which means a wound healing agent. Calendula acts as a skin disinfectant and repairs or restores skin cells. My herbal professor, 7song prefers to use it as a soak. It is often combined with yarrow.

Another soaking herb is comfrey. It is used topically as a face wash. It can be used for eczema and psoriasis. It is also used for diaper rash. One important note: Never use calendula when the wound is active. Therefore it is never used for the Staphylococcus infection Impetigo. I have seen it used in post herpetic or post varicella (shingles) rashes or discolorations on the skin. I would not use it when the shingles or herpes is in its active blistering vesicular form. It is a mild immune stimulant. I did learn it is used as a lymphogogue and splenogogue , thus moving lymph and spleen respectively.

The other herb discussed is Boneset. Scientific Name: Eupatorium perfoliatum – Compositae Family It is also known as Eupatorium, Thoroughwort, wood boneset, Indian sage, sweating plant, teasel, and feverwort.

I love the name BONESET. The herbalist,Matthew Wood has used it to set broken bones.
Boneset gets its name from its ability to "break bone fever." This name is from when having influenza, a patient coughed so forcefully that ribs were broken. It is used by North American Indians for stomach problems, colds, and fevers in addition to arthritis and rheumatic ailments. It became popular among the Negroes in the southern United States and used for fevers and as a tonic. Boneset was also used in the United states during influenza epidemics of 1918 for pain and fever. European settlers used it as a cure-all. I have been told it is bitter. I will use it this year during the flu season. It can be combined with echinacea, marshmellow, licorice and meadow sweet. It can used as a tea or tincture.

I will try it this year--so pay carefull attention to the Fall blogging.

The photographs above are the yellow pot marigold and the white flowered boneset. There are also photographs done by Rick Byrd: A hand made cross stitch Cactus bookmark and me with hair and new eyewear.

Until tomorrow...

AUGUST 19, 2010 SURRENDER TO ....D-RIBOSE, GOD AND YOURSELF

"DETACH - LIVE IN THE HERE AND NOW. Allow life to happen and unfold instead of always trying to control it. Release regrets over the past and fears about the future."

Yes, back to living in the NOW. Not the past and not the future. I think I need to reiterate this for me more than for you. I have heard time and time again, it is Life on Life's terms. It sounds easy, but it is not. I can attest to that. I miss some of the past. I miss the family of the past that are no longer here. I see patients who do not talk to their parents nor grandparents. I cannot understand that. But I understand how it happens. I miss the calls from my dad. Rick and I miss his weekly visits to my office with eggplant parmigana and expresso. I especially miss the holidays. That is a lie, I miss every single Sunday at my childhood home.

Now do I miss the days of active alcohol/drug use? Not at all. A bad day today cannot even compare to a bad day back then. I am so far removed from those days in years, but I never forget them nor take anything for granted. Do you take anything for granted? Do I miss past relationships of friends, family and partners? It depends on who it is, what happened, and if they are in my life today. I have always said that things change. Change is good; Change is fear; I am trying to be fearless. No one can be completely fearless. I know I cannot. Instead of holding on to resentments and anger, I let it out. Let the chips fall where they may. Let God, prayer and meditation guide me in the right direction. I have met some who have a real need to hold on to relationships of the past. I would love to in every single case, but if it doesn't happen naturally, then I must move on. Have you moved on from past love relationships ? I had to, I did it and let go. These relationships were toxic. Every one deserves happiness. This means you do also.
Get to know and love yourself first. Let life unfold. Get happy :)

Back to our heart... Two days ago I was writing about D-ribose. This important nutrient is underutilized. Any patient with heart disease has depleted energy. The addition of L-carnitine and D-ribose will revitalize the energy lost. There are no drugs that increase the energy pool. I hoped to find it in a product called NT-Factor. I had favorable results but when the NT-factor was discontinued, the low energy level of the patient returned. You need to consult a health care professional and ask can you take D-ribose. There are no contraindications and no toxic effects if taken as directed. There is not enough data for pregnant females, nursing mothers or woman contemplating pregnancy. I have seen people take too much D-ribose and have gastrointestinal side effects of nausea and abdominal pain. Since D-ribose is a sugar you would think it would cause an insulin spike after consumption. However, it has been studied and it does not.

There are no known drug or nutritional interactions with D-ribose. Prior to L-carnitine and D-ribose, the one nutrient that has been a powerhouse to the cell , tissues and body is Coenzyme Q10. I do not want to go 'biochemical or medical' with you, so in the next two days I will try to make the discussion brief. I am happy to write that Coenzyme Q10 is used more today by conventional cardiologists than I ever would have thought. Could I say to a great extent? Absolutely not. The literature in this country, and Europe is ignored by allopathic profesisonals when it comes to vita-nutrients. I could say the same about herb use. The general public knows more about supplements and herbs than their own doctor. This is due to the internet. If you search the internet , how many article would you read about the benefits of Coenzyme Q 10?
a. 10,000
b. 20,000
c. 30,000
The correct answer is choice (c). Keep reading daily to find out why.

Living in New York City is never dull. Most people do not take advantage of what the city has to offer. Yes, it might be pricey, but there are many things to do that are for free. A walk in Central Park is free. Did you ever notice or count the number of great sculptures and statues in Central Park? So while going to a meeting two days ago, I went by Times Square. I was in awe. A huge statue in Times Square resembling the famous Life magazine photo of a sailor kissing a woman. The statue was unveiled this weekend on the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II in Japan.

This 25 foot statue is based on a famous Life Magazine photo of New Yorkers celebrating the end of the war with Japan on Aug. 14, 1945. The name of the sculpture is Unconditional. Johnson said it is based on a similar, less well known, photograph by Victor Jorgensen.

Go see it !
Since books are part of my life and always will be, enjoy the hand made cross stitch bookmarks.

Until tomorrow...

AUGUST 18, 2010 UP, UP AND AWAY

"WE GENERALLY CHANGE OURSELVES FOR ONE OF TWO REASONS: INSPIRATION OR DESPERATION" -jim robin


INSPIRATION OR DESPERATION? Two very important distinct words. Have you ever been desperate? I nearly lost my life due to desperation and low self esteem from addiction. I am reading Portrait of a Young Addict. It is moving, terrifying and exhilarating. I could have written the book. I was at such a low point in my life, so desperate more than sixteen years ago that I nearly ended my life. Two things inspired me at that time. A 4 year old boy and 6 year old girl. They will never really know how they moved me from desperation to inspiration. But they did.

That desperation led me to a place of comfort and joy. It was initially a rehabilitation. This led me to a twelve step program for which I will be forever grateful. Today I live for inspiration. It took time in my twelve step program to get the inspiration. It didn't happen immediately. I started to feel better about myself, but I had obstacles. The obstacles were too numerous to count. Once I shed each obstacle, and I mean literally shed --I became the man I always wanted to be.

What inspires me? The yearn to learn is an inspiration. Art is an inspiration. Theatre is an inspiration. Dance is an inspiration. The ability to make new friends, culture the old friends and weed out negativism is an inspiration. Family is an inspiration. Growth is an inspiration.
My own art of needlepoint/cross stitch has been an inspiration. Doing this daily blog has been a great inspiration. The three greatest inspirations have been my growth in AA , my partner, Rick and my children. --Happy Face :) :)

As Ithaca is approaching I have to talk about plants. Every hard shell nut comes from a plant. We do know from clinical studies that almonds and walnuts have been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Less is known regarding the other shelled nuts. I do know that peanuts have increased amounts of yeast as they are grown in the ground. Actually peanuts are legumes not nuts. Let's stick with the tree nuts. I love pistachios (Pistacia vera).

Pistachios are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants and are the richest source of phytosterols of ALL nuts. So why not eat them! Pistachio consumption has beneficial effects on lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. Yet with all that said, there are still few clinical studies on the effectiveness of pistachios on risk of cardiovascular disease. The hypothesis that the fatty acid composition of pistachios account for the mechanism of its lipid lowering effect was not studied until late September 2008 and published in April 2009.

Although a small study population of only 28 was used, I am encouraged by this outcome. I was hoping to see more studies this year, but have not read any to date. Although I must admit I am 2 months behind on my journal reading. Sorry!

This was the first study to show a significant decrease in bad cholesterol (LDL) after consumption of pistachios. As little as 1 serving/day of pistachios lowered LDL by 9% and 2 servings/day lowered LDL (BAD cholesterol) by 12% . When compared to statin LDL: reduction use, it can be stated that a decrease in LDL is associated with a decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The pistachio (Pistacia vera L., Anacardiaceae) is a small tree native to some regions of Syria, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, that produces an important culinary nut. Pistacia vera often is confused with other species in the genus Pistacia that are also known as pistachio. These species can be distinguished from P. vera by their geographic distributions (in the wild) and their nuts. Their nuts are much smaller, have a strong flavor of turpentine, and have a shell that is not hard


PUT ON A HAPPY FACE

Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!
Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that "full of doubt" look,
Slap on a happy grin!
And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!
Put on a happy face
Put on a happy face
And if you're feeling cross and bitterish
Don't sit and whine
Think of banana split and licorice
And you'll feel fine
I knew a girl so glooming
He'd never laugh or sing
He wouldn't listen to me
Now he's a mean old thing
So spread sunshine all over the place
Just put on a happy face
So, put on a happy face


Bye Bye Birdie is a stage musical with a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams, and music by Charles Strouse. It is hard to imagine that the first Broadway Production was in 1960. Both Bye Bye Birdie and I celebrated 50.

The film version was nott until 1963.

Until tomorrow...

AUGUST 17, 2010 THE HIGHEST CALIBER: D-RIBOSE AND SIR WINSTON

"Never let the grass grow too high, before you say what you want."

and to complement the above...

"Life is not always what one wants it to be, but to make the best of it as it is, is the only way of being happy." - Jennie Jerome Churchill

Thank you Karen M for the second quote.

I was given this advice years ago from a sensible caring loving woman. Unfortunately she must have learned by not doing this and wanted to pass it along to me. I have not learned either, and let resentments/anger build, although not as frequently as in the past. I practice forgiveness. Sometimes I have to let it out, whether the outcome is good or bad. Sometimes I write a letter and never mail it. When I get an angry response back or answers to the questions/comments made, I know I touched a nerve. Hopefully this doesn't end the communication, but sometimes it does. Hopefully, we each have learned from this. I do not like assumptions. It is better to call than to write as writing does not give the inflection or tone of the voice. I do know that I will continue to pray including for those I might have held anger or resentment for in the past.

As I blog, I try not to live in the past or the future, I live in the present. Prayer and meditation is a must for me.

Making the best of what life deals you is the best answer. It is life on life's terms. Why complain about what life has to offer. You make the best of it and it starts to change. This will make you happy if you make the best of what life has to offer. Everyone deserves some type of happiness. I am happy. I didn't say I was happy all of the time, but for the most part I am happy. Remember nothing is perfect. It is progress not perfection.

For some reason, Jo Stafford singing "Till we Meet Again" came to my mind. It is so strange how the songs of my parent's era echo and resonate within me. I am an old soul. Also, I was humming "White Cliffs of Dover" after I heard Vera Lynn sing it on the iPod this morning.

Back to the heart...I wanted to get back to supplements of the heart. I diverted yesterday because yellow jasmine intrigued me. Prior blogging had to do with L-carnitine for strengthening the heart muscle. I use L-carnitine with a simple sugar, D-ribose, a monosaccharide. D-ribose was first reported in 1891 by Emil Fischer. D-ribsoe in the past years has been marketed as a supplement for bodybuilders with a common dose being 5 g.(5,000 mg).

There are conflicting studies. While some state that they found increase exercise endurance and recovery, there are others who have found no benefit. I know some clinics that prescribe using 5 grams upwards for the treatment of fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia. When the heart muscle has a sudden drop in flow either by partial or complete obstruction, there is a decrease in energy in the form of ATP. D-ribose is the natural ingredient for building more ATP. Thus some feel that D-ribose can rejuvenate the heart muscle. There was a landmark study where D-ribose was given during surgery and the results were dramatic in a positive way. These studies have shown that D-ribose has a powerful protective effect for the heart especially under the most stressful conditons as a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or partial blockage of a coronary artery (ischemia and/or angina).

After D-ribose supplementation, the heart muscle pain and fatigue is reduced. This supplement can lead to better delivery of oxygen rich blood to an area that is deprived of oxygen. Other studies have used D-ribose for hypertension and congestive heart failure. I feel that general conventional cardiologists need to review the studies about L-carnitine, D-ribose and Coenzyme Q10. We do know that daily supplementation of D-ribose will increase the total amount of ATP produced by four fold. That is incredible. I suggest you try some for yourself before working out. Human muscle does lose ATP after extreme exercise. It has been shown that exhausted muscle takes a longer time to replenish, whereas those taking D-ribose do not need as much replenishing. I wonder if exercise trainers know anything about D-ribose? I do not consider D-ribose as strength training but as a replenishing supplement of ATP which every cell needs.



WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER
There'll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover
Tomorrow
Just you wait and see

I'll never forget the people I met
Braving those angry skies
I remember well as the shadows fell
The light of hope in their eyes

And though I'm far away
I still can hear them say
Bombs up...
But when the dawn comes up

Therell be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover
Tomorrow
Just you wait and see

Therell be love and laughter
And peace ever after
Tomorrow
When the world is free

The shepherd will tend his sheep
The valley will bloom again
And Jimmy will go to sleep
In his own little room again

Therell be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover
Tomorrow
Just you wait and see

Therell be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover
Tomorrow
Just you wait and see...
Until tomorrow...

A diva of the 19th Century...
Jeannette Jerome, otherwise known as "Jennie". Born on January 9, 1954, Jennie was named after the Swedish soprano Jennie Lind. The dark-haired, doe-eyed Jennie was one of the most notable and fashionable beauties of her day and her goings-on were anxiously followed by those interested in society gossip.

It was for her first marriage that she is primarily remembered. In 1874, Jennie Jerome wed Lord Randolph Churchill, becoming the titled "Lady Randolph Churchill". The two had met a year previously, at a ball, prior to their marriage. Her greatest claim to lasting fame, however, is that one of the two sons she bore her husband turned out to be Winston Churchill. What mother would not be proud of her son, Winston Churchill.
I never wanted to feel uncomfortable in a group. For this reason I read many biographies growing up. I wanted to be prepared to discuss anyone that might be mentioned. I have read two biographies on Winston Chruchill. I love his quotes. This is one of my favorites.

A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality.

AUGUST 16, 2010 ARE YOU FRAGRANT TODAY?

"The moment an individual can accept and forgive himself, even a little, is the moment in which he/she becomes to some degree lovable."
-Eugene Kennedy

It took me a long time to accept myself for who I am. I now know who I am after all these years of struggling and internalized homophobia. What is internalized homophobia? It refers to homophobia as a prejudice carried by individuals against homosexual manifestations in themselves and others. It causes severe discomfort with or disapproval of one's own sexual orientation. Was this me? Yes! This wasn't the question on the 15 Most frequently asked Questions from the public on AOL today. More people wanted to know why flamingos are pink, why parrots talk, and why do we dream. Two questions about birds and none on internalized homophobia. What is the world coming to?

It is about accepting yourself. This concept can be applied to many other things in life. I do know and realize that individuals can work to overcome their internalized homophobia through therapy and/or open conversations with someone who is accepting. What I found is that family can be a difficult hurdle, especially when they openly do not accept you or say they accept you, but deep down they themselves are injured. Through the years you see it more with certain family members. They might not include your partner's name on a card or they never ask how he/she is? Many people just keep talking about themselves and their lives so he/she doesn't have time to ask about yours. They are afraid to ask. I have found that this is their own problem, not mine. I have moved away from blaming myself. I do not blame them either for not accepting. I do agree that once I fully accepted myself even a little, I became more lovable. So, hats off to you Mr.Kennedy.


Now let's for one moment go back to herbs as my time in Ithaca is approaching once again. I know we discussed digitalis and hawthorne. I briefly discussed the use of motherwort, scotch broom, and night blooming cactus. I didn't know this but the Lilly of the Valley is the flower for the month of June.

In 1908, Dr. Crawford R Green stated, "The action of Cratageus is so broad that there are few heart conditions it does not include, and none that counterindicate it. In fact, it may be regarded as approaching a specific for cardiac conditions in general. It acts both as a powerful heart tonic and as a stimulant. It profoundly affects the circulation, strengthening the weak pulse and regulating its rhythm, correcting alike tachycardia, bradycardia or simple arrhythmia."

In 1917, in American Medicine Gelsemium sempervirens. I wanted to write about this plant because it made me look it up and do some research. I didn't know that Gelsemium is used as a cardiac sedative to help with palpitations, or extra heart beats. It does not affect any specific action of conduction of the heart, like digitalis and scotch broom. The main ingredient in this plant is contained in the root, also called the rhizome. There are three active alkaloids in the root that are beneficial, one being gelsemine.


Yellow Jasmine is an unmistakable type of vine, thanks to its brilliant yellow color flowers. Blooming in early Spring and again in the Fall, these golden, bell-shaped flowers are just as fragrant as you’d expect from any type of Jasmine. The vine’s green leaves will turn bronze in the fall, though this vine’s foliage is sparse when compared to others. A rapidly growing vine, Yellow Jasmine can survive in sun or partial shade, just so long as it is planted in moist soil and receives a steady supply of moisture. Jasmine Vines are known for a fragrance you can smell from a distance.
Plant some next year... I will.

Eugene C. Kennedy (born August 18, 1928) is a American psychologist, syndicated columnist, professor emeritus at Loyola University Chicago, he remained professor of psychology at the university for several years. A former Catholic priest and a long-time observer of the Roman Catholic Church He has written over fifty books on psychology, religion, Catholic church, and psychology of religion , and also published three novels, Father's Day (1981), Queen Bee (1982), and Fixes (1989).
I suggest you pick up one of his books.

Until tomorrow...

AUGUST 15,2010 WHY WORRY--- USE L-CARNITINE

"When we stop worrying about unimportant matters, we can devote more to what is truly important."

How true is that. How many times have I worried about such nonsense things? My Stinking Thinking!! I used to worry about so many unimportant matters, then I heard this quote and said to myself, "Why am I worrying? What good is it doing me?" I used to worry about what people thought of me. Boy, did that one always have me in a mess-up. Then I would worry what people thought of how I carried myself in a conversation! For what purpose was I worrying? Worry is thoughts and images of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats. As an emotion it is experienced as anxiety or concern about real or imagined issues.

What truly is important is if I owe anyone amends for this day--today. I worry if I didn't thank God for a blessed day. I worry about my patient's health... There are some unfortunates who worry about everything. I know how you feel I used to be one of those people. I do NOT worry about the things I used to. That means I have changed. Change is good. Try for one hour not worrying about anything. See if you can start to not worry everyday for one hour. It does work.

I was discussing L-carnitine in yesterday's blog. I want to continue with L-carnitine and then move to other nutritional support for the heart. Remember that the heart is a form of muscle. It is cardiac muscle. I have to get into a little biochemistry for you to understand why carnitine is important to the heart. The primary function of carnitine is the transport of fatty acids to the inner mitochondrial membrane where they are burned for fuel. Our human heart gets 60% of its fuel from fat so those with heart disease need to maximize the fat.

Using L-carnitine will help patients with heart disease. It is simple as that! Therefore L-carnitine can be used for individuals with angina pectoris. The most common cause of chest pain (angina) is the partial blockage of a coronary artery. The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart. L-carnitine limits angina pectoris by its metabolic effects. Studies have shown benefit in exercise tolerance with as low as 900mg of L-carnitine. I usually give upwards of 2,500 mg of L-carnitine for most of my cardiac patients. There has even been a reduction in extra ectopic ventricular beats in patients using L-carnitine versus the group that didn't use L-carnitine.

I do not understand why conventional cardiologists do not use L-carnitine. Many of these studies have been published in peer review journals (Circulation and Journal of the American College of Cardiology). There are smaller studies on the benefit of L-carnitine for CHF. Those with CHF using L-carnitine did have benefit, but I feel more studies need to be done. There are even studies using L-carnitine in those patients with peripheral artery disease who have intermittent claudication (squeezing of their legs when the patients walk). The data does show that L-carnitine supplementation has been used for the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions.

V S Gulevich and R Krimberg first discovered L-Carnitine in muscle extracts in 1905. Its chemical structure was confirmed in 1927, but it was not until the 1950s that Gottfried Samuel Fraenkel discovered the role of the substance in fat oxidization.

Something we all enjoy today that was initially discovered in 1905 is The Movie Theater. The Pittsburgh movie theater owners Harry Davis and John Harris also established the first of what would become a popular form of movie theaters spread throughout the country, which were five-cent nickelodeon movies.

The photograph above is a famous theater in NYC. It was named for an individual of the theater. As said in Funny Girl, "Who would name their son Florence? Or is it Florenz?"
He did marry the Good Witch- Glenda, so I forgive his mother.

Until tomorrow...

AUGUST 14, 2010 FAILURE - HEART OR SELF

"LET GO OF YOUR ATTACHMENT TO BEING RIGHT AND SUDDENLY YOUR MIND IS MORE OPEN. YOU'RE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE UNIQUE VIEWPOINTS OF OTHERS WITHOUT BEING CRIPPLED BY YOUR OWN JUDGMENT." - Ralph Marston


The attachment to being right...Do you ever notice that in a group of individuals whether friends or family, there is always someone who believes they are always right? When I look closely I feel that there are many things that most of us need to let go of. For example, Letting Go of Perfection, Letting Go of Timing, Letting Go of Being the Victim et al. Or perhaps shame, mistrust, fear or denial. Even more to the point is Letting Go of desire. That's it! I used to think I was always right in a conversation. I am trying to this day not to talk a lot in a conversation. Just listen. Absorb.

I am always working on not interrupting my partner's or other individual's conversation. I first had to recognize the issues. It took time, patience, prayer and meditation to identify them. Now that I have identified many of the things I want to let go of, I am letting go of them on all levels--mental, emotional, spiritual and physical. Then as the quote above states, my mind can be more OPEN. Giving up the idea that I was always right. An educated man should always be right. Doctors are always right. WRONG! I could be wrong and still be loved and worthy of conversation.

I want to get back to the heart. I want to discuss the right side valves, both tricuspid and pulmonary. I have so much to tell you. Even though the number of heart attacks have been reduced due to technology and awareness, the number of patients with heart failure has increased. I do not think the medical community, cardiologists particularly, understood the treatment. The causes we did understand. The causes of heart failure are numerous--coronary artery disease, valvular, and enlargement of the heart (cardiomyopathy- due to alcohol, viruses and heavy metals). The conventional drugs are used because they do work. These can be angiotension converting inhibitors (ACE), beta blockers, diuretics, and even the beloved foxglove (digitalis).

Conventional physicians should be open to powerful nutritional support like Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine and D-ribose. This is nutrition directed at the cellular level. This is not easily understood by the general public and even medical professionals. For the medically inclined, he/she must go back in time to Biology and Biochemistry to the Kreb Cycle and other metabolic pathways of the body.

I will discuss CoEnzyme Q10 in the future. Most readers know something about that source of energy. I have used Coenzyme Q10 in a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases such as angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure (CHF), arrhythmias, and even hypertension.

I want to touch on L-carnitine. It is derived from two amino acids--lysine and methionine. To get to carnitine the body needs cofactors to help it along. These cofactors are other vitamins like Vitamin C, niacin and B6. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, therefore a pure vegetarian will have low levels of L-carnitine. In the diet the greatest source of carnitine is from meat. I am not advocating eating meat. If you read The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan you can understand why you wouldn't touch a piece of red meat. Those of you who are purists need to supplement your L-carnitine. The asparagus isn't going to do it at 0.08 mm/g carnitine versus beef or lamb at levels of 3.80 - 4.80 mm/g carnitine. So you say I eat beans! Yes that is protein but beans lack methionine even though they contain lysine, so there will be little L-carnitine. You need both of those amino acids to form L-carnitine.

So you could supplement both amino acids, yet isn't it easier just to take L-carnitine. A pure vegetarian from childhood will develop muscle weakness and even failure to thrive. If you are a vegetarian, just simply supplement your carnitine. Those cancer patients who have tried a strict macrobiotic diet need to supplement L-carnitine. Carnitine is produced on a cellular level and exerts its effects on a cellular level. Let's make this easier. It helps with the conversion of energy. In the body, cells must use energy in the form of ATP. ATP is made in cells from larger food molecules like glucose.

Go back to seventh grade biology. Every cell has organelles that do this job. These are called the mitochondria. So a major role of L-carnitine is to assist in the making of ATP within the mitochindria. Other roles include ridding the body of toxins (example, lactic acid and detoxifying ammonia), and acting as an antioxidant. L-carnitine is a free radical scavenger. Free radicals cause disease, so L-carnitine is the vacuum cleaner of the free radicals.

Major deficiency in L-carnitine results in muscle deficiency. So why discuss it here since we are not talking about muscles? I am--the heart is a muscle. It is cardiac muscle as opposed to the other types of muscles, skeletal and smooth. It can lead to cardiomyopathy--weakness of the heart muscle. This cardiomyopathy will lead to CHF (congestive heart failure).

To end our blog today, I want to tell you about an herb I use in heart failure. Actually it is a combination of herbs. I will only mention one, Night Blooming Cactus. I bet you thought I was going to say Hawthorne. I use that also, but not always discussed is the Cactus. The nightblooming cereus is also known as the lunar flower, moon flower and luna flower. This plant is native to the Sonoran Desert in North America. The plant grows as a thin, almost dead looking stick from a single stem in the ground. They bloom just on one or two nights of the year, typically around May 30. Beneath the ground is a large tuber, often the size of a watermelon, that was eaten by Indians and early settlers because of its nutritious content.

I do not know the mechanism of the Queen of the Night flower, but I find it effective when used with hawthorne, motherwort, and scotch broom. I met a medicine man years ago who told me to use the combination for arrhythmias. I did use it--it worked and I continue to use it.

Until tomorrow...