The Sunlight Vitamin

Sunlight is composed of electromagnetic radiation of varying wavelengths, ranging from the long-wavelength infrared light to the short-wavelength ultraviolet. The ultraviolet light is further subdivided into UVA and the even shorter-wavelength UVB radiation. Although UVB causes sunburns, it is also the component that initiates Vitamin-D production in the skin. As such, scientists now believe that past sunscreen use actually promoted skin damage, while, at the same time, blocking beneficial vitamin-D production. (Sunscreen reduces the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D by at least 95%.)

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The process by which vitamin D is produced and exerts its biological effects is complicated, involving several vitamin-D-related molecules. Basically, UVB light triggers a modification of a cholesterol-related molecule located in the membrane of skin cells. The vitamin D that is created is then ejected from the membrane into our circulation system, where it travels to the liver. In this organ, it is transformed into 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the derivative that doctors use to assess overall vitamin-D status.

The kidney, as well as some other tissues, further converts this precursor into 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D, the most physiological active vitamin-D metabolite, which is also called calcitrol. Traditionally, calcitrol is understood as a hormone that, together with parathyroid hormone, regulates blood calcium levels and, in turn, bone density. In this role, calcitrol targets the intestine, where it promotes calcium absorption; and bone, where it catalyzes calcium release to help restore depleted blood calcium levels.

However, recent studies indicate that viewing calcitrol just in this role is quite limited. In fact, the hormone exerts a plethora of biological effects on diverse tissues, implying that this sunlight-generated hormone sustains health throughout the body.

Although much remains to be understood, basically, circulating calcitrol enters cells and complexes with the genes in the cell nucleus. This affects DNA expression and, in turn, overall cell functioning and growth. Because calcitrol maintains normal cell proliferation, it inhibits cancerous growth. In addition, calcitrol influences immune-cell activity, helping to explain vitamin D’s seemingly beneficial role in infectious disease and immune-related disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.

Given these considerations, the implications of preventing vitamin-D deficiency, either through sunlight or diet, are now more profound than ever.

Digestive Enzyme Deficiency and Antacid Medications

Constipation, indigestion, heartburn, irregularity, bloating, gas, intestinal and gastric discomfort are maladies prevalent in our present society. These are usually the symptoms of a fundamental digestive enzyme deficiency that's easily and often overlooked. Our culture has become far too dependent on antacid medications and other pharmaceuticals to treat these symptoms. Drugs have their place in emergency situations, but there are also natural ways to treat if not cure disease. It would seem that the medical community, at large, is more concerned with the treatment of symptoms than the elimination of disease itself.

At our body's most basic level of function, enzymes play an essential and critical role. Because enzymes must be present before any chemical reaction can take place, our bodies cannot exist without enzymes. We can eat a healthy diet and take all the vitamins, minerals, and hormones we want, but without the proper amount of enzymes, our bodies are incapable of breaking down, absorbing, and using the important nutrients. In many cases the excellent ( and costly) supplements we take simply pass through our systems whole and intact, without being used. Dr. DicQie Fuller, author of The Healing Power of Enzymes
, states the importance of proper digestion is mind boggling. Every function must be perfectly synchronized with every other function. When we lack a particular enzyme, vitamin, or mineral, the resulting imbalance causes disease. If you have digestive problems, you will have trouble rebuilding cells...which leads to an array of health disorders. You may think it is too simplistic to conclude that illness is caused by inadequate digestion, but I am convinced this is true.

What role do digestive enzymes play?

Digestive enzymes function as catalyst agents in our body's digestive process that enable us to experience good health. Proper digestion requires four major and three minor enzymes:

Amylase for the digestion of carbohydrates and starches. Improper digestion creates gas and discomfort.

Protease for the digestion of proteins. Improper digestion causes indigestion and toxicity.

Lipase for the digestion of fats; also assists in balancing fatty acids. Improper digestion creates pungent odors and poor cholesterol balance.

Cellulase for the digestion of cellulose (fiber found in vegetables and other plant materials). Improper digestion leaves wax like residue in the small intestines, contributing to absorption problems.

Lactase for the digestion of milk sugar lactose. Improper digestion prevents the breakdown of lactose resulting in digestive problems and lactose-related allergies.

Sucrase and Maltese lesser known enzymes that break down food sugars.

How does my body obtain enzymes?

Enzymes are energized protein molecules that, in a perfect world, can be obtained in two ways: Our bodies make them (metabolic enzymes) or we get them through the food we eat (food enzymes). When these two natural sources are compromised, we can obtain the enzymes we need through supplementation.

What could cause a digestive enzyme deficiency in my body?

Age and high stress negatively impact our body's ability to produce metabolic or endogenous enzymes. The older we get, the less efficient our bodies become in producing enzymes. An older adult simply does not manufacture as many enzymes as a young person. When were under a lot of stress and run down, our bodies require a substantially larger amount of enzymes.

Food or exogenous enzymes exists in food that's in its raw state. However the cooking, freezing, and food manufacturing and altering processes destroy food enzymes. So while your taste buds are satisfied, the rest of your body, particularly your digestive system, is not getting what it needs. Unless you are a child who eats only raw foods, you are at risk of being enzyme deficient.

What are supplemental digestive enzymes?

Supplemental digestive enzymes can be either plant or animal-derived.

Generally, plant enzymes are most useful because of they aid digestion throughout the entire digestive process. These enzymes cannot be made like synthetic vitamins and minerals, and must be grown in plant form and extracted through a laboratory process.

Dr. Peter Rothchild, M.D. a world-renowned researcher and Nobel Prize nominee in physics writes, Evidence of the effectiveness of enzymes taken orally is beginning to overcome skeptism. Many of these studies show enzymes, when taken orally, demonstrate benefits against circulating immune complexes, rheumatic disorders, and acute immune disease.

Why the lack of publicized information about digestive enzymes?

Dr. DicQie Fuller explains, Although enzyme biochemistry has been the subject of intensive study, the role of enzymes in supplementation and therapy is not widespread knowledge. There are not yet enough knowledgeable people around to supply the necessary information. Yet the healing power of enzymes has been documented for decades.

How do I know if I have a digestive enzyme deficiency?

Symptoms of poor digestion are good indicators: burps and belches, excessive gas, heartburn, nausea, constipation, feeling tired after eating, or an allergic reaction to particular foods. Also, certain food cravings or foods you eat the most such as caffeine, chocolate, refined sugars, and cooked and processed foods could be clues to an enzyme-related problem.

Are there products available that contain essential digestive enzymes?

In addition to digestive enzymes in supplement forms (pills and capsules), a small number of nutritional supplement companies offer products that are formulated to contain and provide essential enzymes.

How can I find out more about enzymes and related topics?

A good starting point is Dr. Fullers book: The Healing Power of Enzymes. Dr. Fuller believes that no matter which way you [come] to read about enzymes, you are entitled to a clear explanation of how they work and why they are important.

Adapted from The Healing Power of Enzymes, copyright 1998 by Dr. DicQie Fuller. Published by Forbes Custom Publishing, New York, NY. Dr. Fuller, the Founder and President of Transformation Enzyme Corporation, holds a Ph.D in Nutrition and Health Sciences. With over 20 years of clinical experience specializing in enzyme therapy and nutrition, she is actively involved in researching the health benefits of enzyme supplementation. Dr. Fuller has published extensively, including articles on the use of enzymes in nutrition, body typing, glandular therapy, and appetite and weight control.

What is Choline Bitartrate?

Choline bitartrate is an essential nutrients needed by the nervous system to produce
acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that facilitates the transmission of impulses between neurons. Choline is extremely important in maintaining healthy cell membranes because it produces phosphatidyl choline. It helps in the production of lipotropic agents which inhibit the conversion of carbohydrates to fat and assists in the production of HDL (good) cholesterol. Choline is very helpful in hormone production and in enhancing sexual function, as well as bladder, kidney, pancreatic, testicular, and liver function.

WHY DO WE NEED CHOLINE BITARTRATE?


There are two reasons for the body’s need for choline - classified as an essential
nutrient in 1998 by the National Academy of Sciences. Number one, choline is required for the synthesis of one of our body’s primary neurotransmitters, acetylcholine. Number two, it is used for the building and maintenance of the body’s
membranes. Acetylcholine is vital for thought, memory and sleep, and is also involved in the control of movement. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are the main driver of the liver, pancreas and adrenal/testicular
functions, and are the major regulators of the cardiovascular functions. Uptake of circulating choline decreases with age and choline is essential for nerve structure and function. FACT: Acetylcholine is a type of compound known as a neurotransmitter. These are chemicals are stored in nerve cells and are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells and muscle cells. Acetylcholine is found in nerve
endings and is constantly being manufactured and broken down by the body.

CAN WE RECEIVE ENOUGH CHOLINE THROUGH DIET ALONE?

Though choline can be manufactured internally from amino acids methionine and serine, it has been designated an essential nutrient, meaning that it is required by the body but not made in adequate amounts, so we need to get it in
our diet. Choline is available in a number of foods, including eggs, fish, legumes, nuts, meats and vegetables- even human breast milk. It is important to supplement our diets with choline since the production of acetylcholine
decreases with age. The importance of choline was demonstrated in a study in 1998 by Steven Zeisel from the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In this study, volunteers on a choline deficient diet were not able to produce enough acetylcholine.

WHAT IF THE BRAIN DOES NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CHOLINE TO MANUFACTURE ACETYLCHOLINE?

When the neurons do not receive sufficient choline to manufacture acetylcholine they may resort to extracting choline out of the nerve cell membranes, in a process called auto-cannibalism. In the short run, this process provides the
body with enough choline to produce just enough acetylcholine to keep neurotransmission and other nervous system functions going. In the long run, however, the nerve cells become increasingly damaged as neural cell membranes
grow rigid and more and more dysfunctional.

HOW DOES CHOLINE AFFECT SLEEP?

One of the lesser known functions of acetylcholine is helping to maintain sleep. Acetylcholine controls sensory input, and strengthens the “stimulus barrier,” making it possible to sleep through minor noises and other disturbances. As we age, we tend to become light sleepers, and Choline Bitartrate and Melatonin can help regulate sleep patterns. The same stimulus barrier also helps us concentrate and solve problems. Too little acetylcholine can lead to irritability and a lack of focus as too many unimportant stimuli bombard us, preventing us from thinking clearly.

HOW DOES CHOLINE AFFECT THE BLADDER?:

The bladder is a muscle which is under cholinergic control. Acetylcholine stimulates a type of receptor in the body called a muscarinic receptor. Stimulation of the muscarinic receptors in muscles leads to a contraction of the muscle. Acetylcholine stimulates the muscle contractions of the bladder and supports healthy urinary function.

HOW DOES CHOLINE AFFECT CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN THE BODY:

Choline helps emulsify fat, keeping it in liquid form and suspension. As long as cholesterol is emulsified, it isn’t likely to settle in the arterial walls. Choline helps transport cholesterol and fats so they can be used by the body or excreted
to maintain healthy cholesterol levels already in the normal range. Strenuous exercise, such as marathon running, can dramatically lower your body’s levels of choline. The reason may be due to the need for choline in the metabolism of
fats, which increases during exercise.

WHAT IS CHOLINE’S IMPACT ON THE LIVER:

Choline bitartrate helps prevent fats from accumulating in the liver and is essential for its health, and also the health of the kidneys. Choline is involved in fat metabolism and in the transport of fats from the liver.

LIBIDO EFFECTS OF CHOLINE:

Choline is a nutrient that potentially enhances sexuality through its conversion to acetylcholine. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves are the main driver of testicular functions - and can help stimulate the libido.

WHAT IS CHOLINE’S IMPACT ON FETAL DEVELOPMENT AND NEWBORNS:

Pre-natal choline supplementation is thought to result in enhanced nervous system development and cognitive function throughout development and infancy, as newborns require large amounts of choline for development. Choline is supplied in mother’s milk, but the amount of choline in breast milk is directly related to the amount of choline that she consumes in her diet.

A Liver Health Diet Is The Key To Longevity

The liver is the largest internal organ in the body, the liver is located in the upper right portion of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm and above most of the stomach, intestines and pancreas. The liver has many functions, including secreting bile, neutralizing poisons, synthesizing proteins, and storing glycogen and certain vitamins and minerals. the largest organ in the body, producing many essential chemicals and regulating the levels of most vital substances in the blood. Some important functions of the Liver are: to allow the Qi to flow smoothly throughout the body and to ‘store’ the Blood. Over 5 million Americans have hepatitis B or C, resulting in an estimated 13,000 to 15,000 deaths annually.

Ways to Love Your Liver Health:

1. Avoid taking unnecessary medications (Too many chemicals can harm me).

2. Don't mix medicines without the advice of a doctor. (You could create something poisonous that could damage me badly)

3. Street drugs cause serious damage and scar me permanently.

4. Don't drown me in beer, liquor or wine. (If you drink alcohol, have two or fewer drinks per day) .

5. Never mix alcohol with other drugs & medications.

6. Be careful when using aerosol cleaners. I have to detoxify what you breathe in, so when you go on a cleaning binge, make sure the room is well ventilated, or wear a mask.

7. Bug sprays, paint sprays and all those other chemical sprays you use can harm me too. Be careful what you breathe.

8. Watch what gets on your skin! (Those insecticides you put on trees and shrubs to kill bugs can get to me right through your skin and destroy some cells.) Remember, they're serious chemicals.

TROUBLE SIGNS:

Here are some signs of liver trouble. If you experience anyof these symptoms, please contact your doctor.

1. Yellow discoloration of the skin or eyes.

2. Abdominal swelling or severe abdominal pain.

3. Prolonged itching of the skin.

4. Very dark urine or pale stools-, or the passage of bloody or tar-like stools.

5. Chronic fatigue, nausea or loss of appetite.

Eat for Health: Since everything we eat must pass through the liver, special attention to nutrition and diet can help keep me healthy. Here are some tips on eating for health healthy liver, healthy you.

1-Eat a well balanced, nutritionally adequate diet: if you enjoy foods from each of the four food groups, you will probably obtain the nutrients you need.

2-Cut down on the amount of deep-fried and fatty foods you and your family consume. Doctors believe that the risk of gallbladder disorders (including gallstones, a liver-related disease) can be reduced by avoiding high-fat and high cholesterol foods.

3-Minimize your consumption of smoked, cured and salted foods. Taste your food before adding salt! Or try alternative

seasonings in your cooking such as lemon juice, onion, vinegar, garlic, pepper, mustard, cloves, sage or thyme.

MEAT, FISH, POULTRY & ALTERNATIVES PROVIDE:

protein, vitamin A, iron, vitamin B12, niacin, fiber, thiamin

WHOLE GRAIN BREADS AND CEREALS PROVIDE:

carbohydrates, niacin, thiamin, iron, riboflavin, fiber

FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES PROVIDE:

vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, fiber, folacin

MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS PROVIDE:

calcium, riboflavin, niacin,folacin, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D.

Liver Function Tests:The most commonly used way to check for liver problems these blood tests look for chemicals in the body that are produced when the liver does its various jobs. The tests can be used to diagnose and monitor chronic viral hepatitis as well as other liver diseases. The two most common tests include the following liver enzymes. Blood tests to measure the function of the liver. These are blood tests that are ordered regularly by liver doctors. They give an indication of how well the liver is working and help sort out the type of problem that may be present. They are done daily immediately following transplantation. Abnormalities can indicate rejection, infection, side effects from drugs and many other things. Experience is required to determine what the results mean.

Liver Enzymes:Proteins that catalyze chemical reactions needed for bodily functions. Levels of certain enzymes, such as ALT and AST are higher when the liver is injured, as they leak into the bloodstream when the cell is injured or destroyed. proteins that catalyze chemical reactions needed for bodily functions. Levels of certain enzymes, such as ALT and AST are higher when the liver is injured, as they leak into the bloodstream when the cell is injured or destroyed.

Fatty Liver:Fatty liver or steatosis hepatis is a reversible condition seen in chronic alcoholism and many other conditions, where large vacuoles of lipid accumulate in hepatocytes (the cells of the liver). Accumulation of fat in liver cells will cause the liver to enlarge. The lipid within the vacuoles is a particular type of lipid known as triglyceride. Triglyceride molecules consist of a glyerol backbone with three fatty acid molecules joined on.

Liver failure:The final stage of liver disease, in which liver function becomes so impaired that other areas of the body are affected, most commonly the brain. Liver failure is the final stage of liver disease. By definition, liver failure occurs when the liver is so diseased, and functioning so poorly, that encephalopathy is evident. Any progressive liver disease can result in liver failure examples include: acetaminophen toxicity, liver cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, and metastatic cancer of the liver.

Liver Cancer:A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the liver. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, also called hepatoma) is a primary malignancy (cancer) of the liver. Most cases are secondary to either hepatitis infection (usually hepatitis B or C) or cirrhosis (alcoholism being the most common cause of hepatic cirrhosis).

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