LYSINE - BUILDING BLOCK OF COLLAGEN

LYSINE is one of the most abundant amino acids in the body, with anywhere from a pound to a pound and a half in the average person. This amount is huge in terms of the body considering most nutrient requirements are miniscule by comparison. The reason for this is we need a lot of collagen.

Lysine is the building block of collagen and along with the amino acid PROLINE, makes up eighty percent of the body's connective tissue (ligaments & tendons)  forty percent of skin and forty percent of the sixty thousand miles of vascularity which is also collagen. Proline is not an essential amino acid, meaning the body can produce it on its own, but typically not in sufficient quantities to meet the body's needs.

VITAMIN C is the other big player in the production of collagen and works in concert with lysine and proline as the glue or matrix on which collagen strands build. This process to which vitamin C contributes is known as hydroxylation. 

Remember,  collagen is the glue that holds everything together from our gums to our bones. As we age we lose on average 1.5% of our body's collagen every year after the age of 30. Collagen is such an easy cell for the body to build, but without getting significant amounts of lysine into the body daily and it's supporting cast, proline and vitamin C, these cells literally begin to starve to death as our skin, vascular system and tendons lose their elasticity and integrity. 

LYSINE

Lysine is not only the building block of collagen which is once again eighty percent of our connective tissue, it also helps protect this same soft tissue from the body's own immune response in the case of chronic inflammation. Sometimes the body's own defense system works too well. Chronic inflammation triggers an immune response, whereby, specific immune cells (macrophages) are released to suppress the inflammatory response when it has gone on too long.

Athletes, job related repetitive stress injuries or, anything that causes daily inflammation, cause the body to recognize this as something attacking it; then it attacks back. This causes the macrophages to release collagen-dissolving enzymes (collagenase) to address the inflammation and in the process consume collagen rich connective tissue, ultimately reducing the joint to bone on bone which is the genesis of arthritis. 

CARDIOVASCULAR

Cardiovascular disease is a good example of a different type of response to inflammation. Low density lipoproteins (LDL), when elevated in the blood stream cause lesions or cuts in the vascular wall. The vascular wall becomes inflamed in this process triggering the production of smooth muscle cells that produce collagen dissolving enzymes (collagenase).

At the same time fibrogen, the clotting factor in blood, tries to repair the lesions by sealing tears from inside the vascular wall, much like it stops a cut from bleeding. The environment is now created for arterial plaque to begin forming. Fibrogen attracts anything that is floating in the bloodstream like calcium or fatsand begins forming atherosclerotic (calcified) or thrombotic (fatty) plaque. 

Lysine with proline acts to inhibit collagen-dissolving enzymes and maintain the integrity of the vascular wall., while vitamin C acts to lower blood levels of LDL.

COLLAGEN-DISSOLVING ENZYMES & CANCER/VIRUSES

The uncontrolled replication or metastasis of cancer cells is made possible in the same way viruses proliferate by using a collagen-dissolving enzyme called collagenase.  Collagenase provides a docking mechanism for cancer and viruses to penetrate healthy cells.  In this manner cancer cells from the primary cancer site or tumor can spread throughout the body. 

The way to stop collagenase is with an enzyme blocking agent, the most effective being Lysine. Supplementing with therapeutic amounts of lysine prevents collagenase from providing an entry point into healthy cells.

Embrace Lysine, Proline and Vitamin C as an integral part of your daily protocol. The benefits cross over into so many areas from anti-aging to preventing cancer and viruses from proliferating to heart and cardiovascular disease.

Remember that these are the building blocks of collagen. Eighty percent of the body's connective tissue, forty percent of skin and vascularity.. This is what degrades significantly as we age and why our skin, vascular system and tendons lose elasticity and integrity.

Sincerely,

Richard Helfrich  
Health Spectrum at The River

71-800 Hwy.111, A149
Rancho Mirage , California 92270

(760) 340-5935, http://www.richardhelfrich.com/ or http://www.healthspectrumpalmdesert.com/

COGNITIVE NUTRITION

ENHANCING THE MIND: Cognitive Nutrition is a scientifically-designed supplement containing DMAE.  DMAE is a nutrient that will support brain function such as the ability to acquire new memories.  It protects and restores brain function through its ability to prevent inadequate oxygen (hypoxia) damage.  By increasing oxygen and energy (glucose) the memory becomes more clear and the thinking becomes sharper.                                                         DMAE can dissolve amyloid plaque. This cellular debris builds up in the cells of the brain ultimately compromising communication between the cells contributing to the complications of Alzheimer's disease.  DMAE increases the acetylcholine level in the brain and body.  By increasing acetylcholine levels vasopressin (a choline precursor in the brain) is released.  Vasopresson is a memory learning chemical that regulates motor function and the nervous system sensory response.  It also forms the nerve connections we require to develop new memories, which have been lost in ageing.      Sincerely, Richard Helfrich Health Spectrum at The River 71-800 Hwy.111,A149 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 (760) 340-5935, http://www.richardhelfrich.com/or http://www.healthspectrumpalmdesert.com/

THE SKIN: The cells of the skin consist of sixty percent fat and forty percent collagen.  It is the high fat content that makes the skin so vulnerable to oxidative stress from the external environment.  In fact every cell of the skin gets on average 10,000 free radical hits per day.  It is like one man holding off an army of 10,000 hired soldiers each day.  One of the big culprits receiving much deserved attention today is of course the sun. Our body's natural defense, the melanin barrier is breached within a few hours of sun exposure and will not form for three days leaving the cells at the mercy of the sun.  Overexposure of the suns rays causes cellular debris (lipofuscin) to build up in the cells of the skin. Lipofuscin can take up a great percentage of cell volume interrupting cell machinery and ultimately destroying the cell or turning it necrotic (cancerous).    DMAE protects the skin from the UV rays of the sun by acting in place of melanin. DMAE not only acts as a shield for the skin against the sun it also can dissolve lipofuscin, the cellular debris which we recognize as an age spot or liver spot.

FOOD ALLERGY BLOCK

Sometimes you can tell when a particular food disagreed with you and avoid it, while other foods have been slowly eroding your health without noticing it. Many common symptoms are really the result of the lectin interactions with our immune system. An example of a common lectin that many have heard of is gluten or gliadin. 

FOOD ALLERGY BLOCK - Lectins are specialized proteins commonly found in fruits, vegetables, seafood, grains, beans and seeds. They are highly resistant to digestion and are able to attach to cells in the gut and to blood cells. Certain food lectins initiate inflammatory responses and contribute to food sensitivities, cravings, digestive disorders, weight gain and post meal fatigue. Food Allergy Block is designed to "lock up" problematic lectins and safely escort then out of the body. Taken before meals minimizes the potential for food intolerance reactions in individuals and helps provide benefits in weight management programs and to overall health.  

POST-MEAL REACTIONS TO LECTINS

·      Headaches, brain fog, lack of concentration

·      Bloating, a very common symptom

·      Easy weight gain and stubborn weight loss

·      Chronic fatigue and post-meal fatigue

·      Chronically clearing throat and excess mucous

·      Respiratory symptoms like chronic, (non-illness) coughing

·      Joint stiffness and pain (particularly in the morning)

·      Urinary weakness or chronic inflammation or infection

·      Abdominal pain and gas with meals, excessive belching (lectins can also lower the HCL     levels impairing digestion)

·      Gastric reflux and upset stomach

·      Irritable bowel and spastic colon

MOST COMMON LECTIN: GLIADIN/GLUTIN

·      The Gliadin content of Gluten is responsible for most of the toxic effects of Gluten.  Wheat is the   main source of gluten.

·      Allergies to Gliadins are responsible for Celiac Disease that cause inflammation and atrophy to the Villi and Intestinal Wall of the Jejunum of the Small Intestine.

·      Gliadins are the common underlying cause of Allergies. 

·      Gliadins cause the production of excessive amounts of endogenous Antibodies contributing to auto-immune disease.

·      Dermatitis patients in which Allergies are the underlying cause exhibit elevated serum Gliadin levels.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS (FOOD ALLERGY BLOCK)

BLADDERWRACK (Fucus vesiculos). This lectin blocking substance is a nutritious seaweed component that makes several contributions. The particular fucose sugars found in Bladderwrack, called "fucoidins," are capable of binding to lectins and also microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and yeast. Fucose is a favorite sugar attachment site on the surface of cells for Helicobacter pylori (the bacteria responsible for ulcers and gastritis) and Candida albicans. Microbes like these must be able to attach and anchor themselves to cells in order to become a problem. Therefore, L-fucose becomes an anti-attachment type of therapy. The fucose in Bladderwrack can bind not only to problem lectins but also to these two opportunistic pathogens, preventing their attachments and locking them up for elimination from the body. Supplementing with Bladderwrack reduces H. pylori, C. albicans, and harmful lectins, providing an example of selective therapy that doesn't disrupt other balances in the GI tract.

OKRA is a vegetable and a rich source of lectin-binding protective mucilage. It helps protect the digestive tract from lectins and harmful microorganisms. Like the other ingredients discussed in this article, it also helps remove existing lectins that are already attached to cells. It is a rich source of bioavailable calcium. Okra in combination with the proteolytic enzyme pepsin helps to clear away excess mucous formed as a result of food intolerance or food allergy in the digestive tract thus allowing for better absorption of nutrients. Okra is often beneficial for ulcers, colitis, malabsorption, and other intestinal problems. It essentially helps to clean the intestine.

D-MANNOSE is also a common binding sugar for lectins. It is capable of binding with the lectins in grains and other foods and also microorganisms.

MUCINS, which have been called digestive gatekeepers, are a family of heavily glycosylated proteins that protectively line the digestive tract. Saliva contains mucin, which moistens and lubricates the food we eat. The dense "sugar-coating" of mucins makes them resistant to protein breakdown, which is important in maintaining mucosal barriers in the gut. Mucins protect against yeast, bacteria and food sensitivities. Mucin has lectin-binding capacity. It contains the sugars that lectins like to stick to including sialic acids.

SODIUM ALGINATE is a soluble fiber derived from seaweed and is resistant to digestion. It is fermented in part by the colonic bacteria to highly beneficial short-chain fatty acids including butyrate, which is a favorite food for the colonic epithelial cells that use these fatty acids for energy. Sodium alginate has cholesterol-binding (lowering) and blood-sugar regulating properties. It is also used for detoxification. Sodium alginate is used in the treatment of GERD as it reacts with gastric acids to form a viscous gel called the alginate raft. This alginate raft floats on top of gastric contents and acts as a barrier to acid and food reflux.

Sincerely,

Richard Helfrich
Health Spectrum at The River
71-800 Hwy.111,A149

Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

(760) 340-5935, http://www.richardhelfrich.com/or http://www.healthspectrumpalmdesert.com/

WATER OR SODA?

We all know that water is important but I've never seen it written down like this before.

FACTS ABOUT WATER (Author Unknown)  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1) 75% of Americans are chronically dehadrated.

2) In 75% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.

3) Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.

4) One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% fo dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

5) Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

6) Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

7) A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzz short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page. 

8) Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

FACTS ABOUT SODA (Author Unknown) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1) In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol carries two gallons of soda in the truck to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.

two days.

2) You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of soda and it will be gone in two days.

3) To clean a toilet: Pour a can of soda into the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in soda removes stains from vitreous china.

4) To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in soda.

5) To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of soda over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

6) To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in soda to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

7) To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of soda into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The soda will help loosen grease stains.

8) To carry soda syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous material place cards reserved for Highly corrosive materials.

9) The distributors of soda have been using it to clean the engines of
their trucks for about 20 years!

NOTES FROM RICHARD 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Most soda's contain phosphoric acid which has a pH of 3.2 however, the kidneys do not excrete until 4.3. To buffer one can of soda requires most if not all circulating calcium and one and a half liters of water to flush through the kidneys.   

If calcium is not replenished, the loss from buffering causes a slow, persistent loss of bone mineral matrix. The average North American teenager consumes four "soda" beverages a day and the evidence can be seen in youth today as their bones don't brake, they shatter!

Sincerely,

Richard Helfrich
Health Spectrum at The River
71-800 Hwy.111,A149

Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

(760) 340-5935, http://www.richardhelfrich.com/or http://www.healthspectrumpalmdesert.com/

SLEEP!!

The immune system has two major jobs to do daily. It defends the body while we are awake and repairs it while we sleep.  This is one of the only reasons we sleep.  Forty five minutes after we fall asleep and enter REM state the immune system switches from its daytime role of defending the body and begins the repair process.  However, this process is easily disrupted.

Stress = Adrenaline + Cortisol

Stress may come in many forms.  Weather it be career, home, family or relationships, responsibilities, etc.  However, it is not always the inability to cope with the psychological effects of stress, but the body's physiological reaction to it.  Typically expressed in type "A" personalities who's "can do" attitude encourages them to undertake more than there bodies can handle. 

Even though the causes of stress can be totally non-specific in terms of our daily lives the effect on the endocrine system triggers the same fight or flight reaction as if we were thrown in front of a speeding train.  Whatever the trigger, the reaction from anxiety, stress, anger or surprise causes the adrenal glands to release adrenaline.  Adrenaline in turn triggers the release of cortisol.  They work together as a tag team for you cannot have one with out the other. 

Chronically elevated cortisol lowers serotonin, the brain's largest chemical representing eighty percent by volume of its forty chemicals. Headaches, memory, attention span and most importantly sleep is affected. 

Without serotonin it cannot signal the penial gland to release melatonin.  Now the ability the fall asleep, stay asleep or even feel like you have slept are out the door.  Since you did not get enough sleep or enter REM the immune system which repairs use during sleep never took place and the body begins the next day with more adrenaline to get our body through the day and the cycle begins. 

Ingrediants for night time:

L-THEANINE -  Theanine acts as a precursor to dopamine in the brain. Dopamine plays a vital role by inhibiting the brain's ability to access adrenaline.  By preventing the brain form accessing adrenaline, cortisol release is inhibited. 

Theanine not only inhibits cortisol, it rewards you by stimulating relaxing alpha waves in the brain and shuts the brain down at night. This helps the brain from hitting the pillow trying to tackle tomorrow's problems.

 

GABA (GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID) - is a non-essential amino acid that acts as a inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA helps promote relaxation by blocking stress-related messages from reaching receptor sites in the central nervous system inhibiting excitatory mediators that cause the nerve cells of the brain to fire.  GABA reduces feelings of anxiousness, and is helpful in the treatment of disorders linked to emotional stress, such as reduced sex drive, hypertension and sleeplessness. 

ASHWAGANDHA  - is a herb known for its powerful adaptogenic properties. This means that it helps the body, as well as the mind adapt to stress.  It's role in the reduction of stress is due to it's soothing of the entire nervous system.  Ashwagandha acts to calm the mind and promote sound, restful sleep.

VALERIAN ROOT (Valeriana Officinalis) EXTRACT - is a herb that is primarily used for sleeping problems.  There are a variety of different active compounds in Valerian Root responsible for the sedative-like properties. Some of the compounds increase GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) a chemical in the brain that produces a naturally calming effect. Valerian Root is also used in the treatment of anxiety, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.

PASSION FLOWER (Passiflora Incarnata) EXTRACT - is used to treat pain, insomnia, and nervous restlessness.This herb is often combined with other calming herbs to treat insomnia, tension, and other health problems related to anxiety and nervousness.  Recent research has concluded that it is useful for insomnia, fatigue, spasms, and nervous tension.  Studies have even found that Passion Flower Extract reduces locomotor activity and prolongs sleeping as well as indicates that this herb has pain reliving and anti-inflammatory abilities as well as its' sedative effects. It is extremely soothing and possesses the ability to calm the central nervous system and also lower high blood pressure.

Sincerely,

 

Richard Helfrich
Health Spectrum at The River
71-800 Hwy.111,A149

Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

(760) 340-5935, http://www.richardhelfrich.com/or http://www.healthspectrumpalmdesert.com/