Iron

What is Iron and why do we need it?

Iron is an mineral needed by our bodies. Iron is a part of all cells and does many things in our bodies. For example, iron (as part of the protein hemoglobin) carries oxygen from our lungs throughout our bodies. Having too little hemoglobin is called anemia. Iron also helps our muscles store and use oxygen.

Iron is a part of many enzymes and is used in many cell functions. Enzymes help our bodies digest foods and also help with many other important reactions that occur within our bodies. When our bodies don't have enough iron, many parts of our bodies are affected.

Adrenal Hypofunction

Primary adrenal hypofunction or insufficiency (Addison's disease) originates within the adrenal gland itself and is characterized by decreased mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid, and androgen secretion. Secondary adrenal hypofunction is due to impaired pituitary secretion of corticotropin and is characterized by decreased glucocorticoid secretion. Secretion of aldosterone, the major mineralocorticoid, is often unaffected.
Addison's disease is relatively uncommon, though it can occur at any age, in either sex. Secondary adrenal hypofunction occurs when a patient abruptly stops taking an exogenous steroid after long-term therapy or when the pituitary is injured by a tumor or by infiltrative or autoimmune processes. With an early diagnosis and adequate replacement therapy, the prognosis for the person with adrenal hypofunction is good.
Adrenal crisis (addisonian crisis), a critical deficiency of meralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, generally follows acute stress, sepsis, trauma, surgery, or omission of steroid therapy in patients who have chronic adrenal insufficiency. A medical emergency, adrenal crisis necessitates immediate, vigorous treatment.

info Handbook of Diseases 3rd Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Hypothyroidism

This disorder, which is most prevalent in women, usually results from a dysfunction of the thyroid gland caused by surgery, irradiation therapy, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease), or inflammatory conditions, such as amyloidosis and sarcoidosis. Besides an enlarged thyroid, signs and symptoms include weight gain despite anorexia, fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry pale, cool skin; dry sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.

(info found @ Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms 5th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)

ALOE -BENEFITS

Eases Intestinal Problems

• Aloe can be effective for treating inflammatory bowel disease. ( Journal of Alternative Medicine)
• Other studies have shown that aloe helps to detoxify the bowel, neutralize stomach acidity, and relieve constipation and gastric ulcers.

Reduces Blood Sugar in Diabetes

• Aloe reduced the blood sugar levels in diabetics (Hormone Research)

Reduces Arthritic Swelling

• Aloe can help prevent arthritis and reduce the inflammation in joints already affected by arthritis. (Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association)
• Aloe can also inhibit the autoimmune reaction associated with certain forms of arthritis, in which the body attacks its own tissues.

Helps Heal Wounds

• An animal-based study found that both oral and topical aloe preparations would speed healing. The size of wounds decreased 62% in the animals taking oral aloe compared to a 51% decrease in wound size. (Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association)

Supports Surgical Recovery

• Aloe decreases surgical recovery time. "Any wound we treat, whether it's a suturing a cut or removing a skin cancer, heals better with aloe vera on it." (James Fulton, M. D. , Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology)

Screens Out Radiation

• Aloe protects against skin damage from X-rays. Aloe was an effective antioxidant, mopping up the free radical caused by radiation and it protected two of the body's healing agents. (researchers at Hoshi University, Japan, published in the journal Yakugaku Zasshi)

(info was produced by an Independent Enriching Gifts member DKT Enterprises 6/2001)

ALOE RESULTS / BENEFITS - continued.

AIDS Research

• In many of the studies there was an average of 70% improvement in symptoms and laboratory criteria within 3 to 4 months. ( Terry Pulse, M.D. ,Reg McDaniel, M.D., Terry Watson, D.O., Dr. Clumeck)
• Many patients stated that opportunistic infections had stopped and they were able to return to normal activity.
• Lab studies showed that helper lymphocytes rose to three times the pre-treatment levels. HIV-1 virus could no longer be cultures. P-24 antigen levels for the virus dropped or became negative.
• Researchers discovered that Aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides alter synthesis and thus the structure of the AIDS virus envelope necessary for infecting lymphocytes. (Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee)
• Studies found that there is suppression of the viral messenger RNA in HIV-1 infected leukocytes. Therefore, the reproduction of HIV-1 is inhibited with a natural and non-toxic substance. ( The Southern Research Institute)

(info produced by Independant Enriching Gifts member DKT Enterprises 6/2001)

ALOE CAN HELP YOU - RESULTS OF CLINICAL STUDIES

Scientific research proves that the mucilaginous polysaccharides is the sole ingredient responsible for all the healing properties attributed to Aloe.

Cancer Research

• Aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides is taken into the macrophage, and this cell is stimulated to release messenger molecules called cytokines (interferon's, interleukines,prostaglandins, tumor necrosis factor, and stem-cell growth factors).
• All of the immune modulating effects from Aloe contribute greatly to the prevention and healing of malignant cells. (Ian Tizard, Ph.D. and Maurice Kemp, Ph. D., Texas A&M)

Benefits Lung Cancer

• Aloe was the only one of the plant foods that was protective against cancer. "The results of plant epidemiology suggest that aloe prevents human pulmonary carcinogenesis (lung cancer)", and aloe is "widely preventive or suppressive against various human cancers."(Japanese Journal of Cancer Research)

(info by Independent Enriching Gifts member DK Enterprises 6/2001)

ABOUT ALOE

• Aloes are succulent (full of juice or sap; having thick, fleshy leaves or stems) plants.
• They belong to the Lily family
• There are more than 150 species of aloe; most are native to South Africa
• Species vary in height from several centimeters to more than 9m (30 ft)
• Aloes have perennial, strong and fibrous roots
• Aloes have numerous, persistent, fleshy leaves, proceeding from the upper part of the root. The leaves are narrow, tapering, thick and fleshy, with spiny teeth at the edges.
• Leaves are designed to retain water and minimize evaporation
• Many of the species of aloe are woody and branching
• In the remote districts of S.W. Africa and Natal, aloes have been discovered 30 to 60 feet in height, with stems as much as 10 feet in circumference.
• Several species are commercially imported as the source of the aloes used in medicine and cosmetics.
• The sap of some aloe plants can be processed for medical use.
• Powdered aloe juice is a laxative, and aloe vera gel soothes burned and frozen skin
• Aloe provides some 200 bio-active components, including 20 essential amino acids.

(info by Independent Enriching Gifts member DKT Enterprises 6/2001)