Jacquelyn A Close, RA

HOW DO ESSENTIAL OILS WORK?

By:  Jacquelyn A Close

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential Oils are the highly volatile compounds produced by steam-distilling or cold-pressing aromatic oils from organically produced plant materials, including herbs, spices, trees, bark, seeds, flowers, petals, stems, roots, and the entire plant. In their purest form, known as therapeutic grade, essential oils are not modified or adulterated, but retain all the rich complexity of compounds created by God. The processes used to capture the oils, including harvesting at the proper time and distilling with low heat and low pressures, allow the oils to remain as close to their original natural wholeness as is possible.

There are hundreds of plants that are known to produce aromatic compounds and essential oils. Each plant produces hundreds of complex organic compounds, and each part of the plant produces different types of organic compounds that can have a broad range of therapeutic benefits for the body. So, there are literally hundreds of essential oils that offer a wide variety of options for promoting health and wellness and addressing a multitude of conditions of dis-ease. Created by God to support our body’s natural ability to heal itself, plants and their essential oils offer living energy and life force created by intelligent design and having a seemingly innate intelligence that allows them to provide what is required to balance the body, instead of pushing it in one direction or another as happens with synthetic compounds.

Fatty-acid oils, or cooking oils, that most people are much more familiar with, have large, long-chain molecules that are not easily absorbed but instead remain on top of the skin and feel oily. Essential oils by contrast are absorbed quickly and leave no oily residue.

How Do Essential Oils Work?

Essential oils are made of tiny molecules that are easily absorbed by the skin and mucosa. They may be absorbed in a matter of seconds.

Essential oils are lipid soluble and can penetrate cell walls. Some essential oil compounds carry nutrients into the cells. Others clean receptor sites. And still other compounds in essential oils can remove detritus, or clean debris out of cells, and some facilitate the restoration of cellular communication and function. Some essential oils are even known and scientifically documented to cross the blood-brain barrier and support and restore brain health.

Dr. Jean Valnet, the French Surgeon and Medical Doctor who — along with Rene Maurice Gattefosse a PhD Chemist — pioneered much of the research into the therapeutic benefits of essential oils during the early and mid-20^th Century, wrote in one of his books that:

…pathogenic microorganisms do not become resistant to essential oils as they do to modern day synthetic drugs. The body cannot become “habituated” in the pejorative sense of the word–i.e., no longer able to derive any benefit–to the oils anymore than it can become habituated to pure mountain air or personal hygiene. The results remain the same; they do not lessen over any length of time. And, unlike many of today’s most popular antiseptic chemicals, essential oils do not harm human tissue. (Valnet, MD, 1980)

Most everyone is already using essential oils in their daily lives. Toothpastes and mouthwashes contain essential oils, as do some personal care products and perfumes. There are even some baked goods that are made with essential oils. Unfortunately, essential oils used for most commercial purposes are almost always standardized, meaning they are brought to a standard required to assure the same flavor or smell every single time. Plants and the chemical compounds they contain vary from year to year owing to changes in sunlight, temperature, rainfall, and changes in soil composition. Commercial products are unwilling to accept this variance, therefore, standardization is common and is accomplished by removing certain constituents, or adding synthetics to facilitate a continuity in taste or fragrance. Essential oils may be altered in any number of ways and they may also be distilled and processed with high heat and high pressures, all of which result in fracturing and damage to the essential oil. Poor processing and adulteration quite often damage the living energy in an oil and may even destroy it entirely, and therefore the intelligence associated with that living energy.

How Are Oils Used?

Essential oils enter the body in three ways. They can be:

• Applied to the skin
• Inhaled
• Ingested

Most essential oils sold in health food stores and over the counter come with a warning not to ingest them. This is for a very good reason. Most are not pure, therapeutic grade essential oils. In fact, I have only found 2 companies in the world that demand that the oils not be standardized and remain unaltered in any way other than the distillation or cold-press processing. These are the only truly therapeutic grade essential oils.

Essential oils have a half-life of 2-6 hours in the body depending on the viscosity, or thickness, of the oil applied. More viscous oils, such as Myrrh (Commipihora myrrha) and Sandalwood (Santalum album) have a longer half-life in the body, usually 5-6 hours. Oils such as lemon (Citrus limon) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata and other eucalypti) have a 2-3 hour half-life in the body. Rose oil (Rosa damascena) and Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) have a half-life of about 3-4 hours.  This means that the oils are used by the body and discarded. They do not bio-accumulate in tissues and are not known to create any long-term negative effects. Because the oils are used and any remaining compounds released from the body through the excretion channels, oils may be applied topically every 2-6 hours depending on the oil and the needs and sensitivity of the individual using them.

How does skin application work?

Essential oils can be applied topically to the skin. Because our skin is somewhat permeable, the active compounds in essential oils are readily absorbed, in much the same way as hormone replacement creams, pain patches, and nicotine patches.

Factors That Increase Skin Absorption

Massaging an area prior to or after applying an essential oil will increase circulation to that area, thereby causing an increase in the absorption rate for the essential oils. Heat will likewise increase circulation and thus enhance absorption.

It is also postulated by some researchers that essential oils may be more readily absorbed from locations that have greater concentrations of sweat glands and hair follicles (Battaglia, 2003).

How Does One Inhale Essential Oils?

The easiest way to enjoy essential oils is to inhale them right from the bottle. This will provide some therapeutic benefit and is known and proven to aid in behavior modification.

You can also use a cold-air diffuser to dispense a micro-fine mist of essential oils into the air. This is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the many benefits of essential oils. They smell wonderful. They provide an uplifting feeling. And they have many well-documented antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral and a number of other benefits according to the many resources and scientific papers completed during the past 20 years. (Essential Oil Desk Reference, 2001-2010, and Reference Guide to Essential Oils, Higley, 1999-2010.)

How Do Essential Oils Interact with the Limbic System (Emotional Brain)

The olfactory system includes all physical organs or cells relating to, or contributing to, the sense of smell. When we inhale through the nose, airborne molecules interact with the olfactory organs and, almost immediately, the brain. Interestingly, the sense of smell is wired directly to the Amygdala, a small organ in the brain that is part of the Limbic System and is associated with memory. According to science, the Amygdala is only stimulated by the sense of smell.

During inhalation, odor molecules travel through the nose and affect the brain through a variety of receptors, however, the sense of smell is wired into the brain very different than are the other 4 senses. All the other senses are routed directly to the thinking brain that makes assessments and judgments, and correlates past experiences. The sense of smell is wired directly to the emotional brain through the Amygdala, which as was said before, is only stimulated by the sense of smell. So, we have an emotional reaction to a smell before we ever think anything about that smell. When the Amygdala is activated by the sense of the smell, it calls forth a memory that includes the smell, the corresponding site, and time, and often sounds, and this reaction is immediate. If you have ever had the experience of smelling fresh baked bread or cinnamon rolls and been immediately transported to a time in the past in your grandmother’s kitchen, then you have experienced how this works.

Molecules inhaled through the nose or mouth are also carried to the lungs and interact with the respiratory system. Thus, inhaled essential oils can affect the body through several systems and pathways.

As mentioned, when we inhale essential oils, odor molecules travel through the nose and affect the brain through a variety of receptor sites, including the limbic system, which has a direct connection to the parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance (Higley & Higley, 1998). This relationship helps explain why smells often trigger emotions. Knowing this, we can hypothesize how inhalation of essential oils can have some very profound physiological and psychological effects!

“Smell is a potent wizard that transports us across thousands of miles and all the years we have lived.” Helen Keller

How Do People Ingest Essential Oils?

First and Most Important: I only know of 2 companies in the world whose oils are safe enough to ingest. My preference, due to the large number and quality of oils and blends available is the company called Young Living Essential Oils. I have been using and ingesting Young Living essential oils since 1999 and recommend them highly.

So, how do you ingest an essential oil?

• You can ingest an essential oil by putting a tiny drop on your hand and licking it.
• You can put a drop under your tongue.
• You can drop a little onto your tongue or straight into your mouth.
• You can put essential oils in “00” (double-aught) veggie capsules and take them like you would any gel-cap or food supplement.

The ingestion of essential oils is not common practice in the US. In France, it is more common. There are several reasons for caution, including the following:

• Most companies do not offer pure, safe, true, therapeutic grade essential oils. Even those who say therapeutic grade on their label often have a prohibition against ingesting their oils. Young Living is the exception to this. In fact, I only know of one Young Living oil that cannot be ingested, Jasmine oil. This is due to the type of distillation process required to extract the oil from the delicate flowers of this plant.
• When essential oils are standardized and adulterated with synthetics, this can remove the buffers that would normally balance the body and destroy the life force and intelligence that can assist in bringing the body back to health. Synthetic adulteration is rampant in the industry, and synthetics not only bio-accumulate, they can be toxic to the liver and/or the kidneys. It is of utmost importance that you know the company that grows, distills, bottles and sells your essential oils can be trusted to maintain the highest quality of essential oils if they are to be ingested. Gary Young has said for years, if you can’t eat it, don’t wear it. He is dedicated to preserving and maintaining the highest quality essential oils in the world.
• One drop of an essential oil is extremely powerful. One drop of Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) will make about 30 cups of Peppermint tea. If you are not familiar with essential oils and take too much you can potentially create a situation where the essential oils are clearing and transporting large reservoirs of toxins that have been stored in tissues into your system too quickly. This can pose a potential health risk.
• Less is often better when it comes to essential oils. However, Daniel Penoel, MD, says when you are dealing with illness and disease, it is best to become an “Aromatic Warrior” and use the full battery of oils in large doses to promote a quick return to balance and health. For this reason, it is best to have a quality reference book or a well-trained individual to assist you in the use of therapeutic grade essential oils.

The Best Antioxidants

A little known fact about essential oils is that they are the world’s best, most powerful antioxidants. You have probably heard about antioxidants for years, and probably know that they eliminate free radicals in the body, slowing the aging process and potentially preventing cancer. Well, science has proven that essential oils are a great source of antioxidants.

For example, Young Living’s Clove oil (according to the laboratory that developed the ORAC scale) has the highest know antioxidant capacity of any substance ever tested. The antioxidant capacity of a single ounce of clove oil can only be equaled by consuming 450 pounds of carrots, or 120 quarts of blueberries, or 48 gallons of beet juice. Personally, I prefer to enjoy the ounce of Clove oil ingested in veggie-capsules.

Is There Any Scientific Evidence Supporting the Use of Essential Oils for Health and Wellness?

Essential oils have been studied for their therapeutic benefits since time immemorial. Records dating back to 5,000 BC include the use of oils for health and anointing. Essential oils were almost forgotten during the 1800s, and until Rene Maurice Gattefosse, a French Chemist, rediscovered their benefits in the early 1920s. Although there is a substantial body of scientific papers evaluating the benefits of essential oils in Europe, nothing was published in English until 1977. Since that time, western science has generated thousands of scientific papers on the benefits and effectiveness of essential oils. However, these precious drops of life force continue to remain relatively unknown, except to those who have been abandoned by or, for other reasons, have ventured away from western allopathic medicine.

Aromatherapy and Behavior

Considerable evidence exists that fragrant compounds, including essential oils, have a profound effect on our mind and behavior. Animal studies have found that hyper-excited mice, stimulated through the consumption of caffeine, were calmed when small amounts of lavender, sandalwood, and other oils were sprayed into their cages.
Aromatherapy and Sleep

In a study reported in the British Medical Journal, Lancet, elderly patients slept “like babies” when lavender was diffused into their bedrooms at night. These patients had complained of difficulty falling asleep and had to take sleeping pills to get sleep prior to the use of Lavender essential oil.

Aromatherapy for Postpartum Discomfort

In a double blind study, 635 women applied lavender oil to their perineal area (part of the body between the vagina and the rectum) after child birth. The women reported a distinct improvement between the third and fifth day. (The discomfort is the worst during this time for patients in the control group.)
Aromatherapy and Stress

In a study conducted at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York, patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 63 percent reported they were less claustrophobic after inhaling vanilla. While there was no change in their heart rate, it was postulated that the aroma reduced their anxiety, possibly due to pleasant memories evoked by the vanilla scent.

In another study, 122 patients in an intensive care unit reported feeling much better when lavender oil was added to massage (compared to when they were simply given a massage or allowed to rest.)

Aromatherapy and Brain Function

In Japan, studies have reported increased accuracy and fewer mistakes by office workers when they lemon essential oil was being diffused in the workplace.

On this website:

http://www.wlnaturalhealth.com/aromatherapy-articles/aromatherapy-research.htm

there is an Aromatherapy Resource Guide listing places where you find research studies and much more.

High Frequency
One last point. Another way essential oils work is through their high frequency.

Recently, scientists have been learning more about the relationship between the frequency of the body and the quality of one’s health.

When the body is in poor health – resulting from anything ranging from a cold to cancer — the body registers a lower frequency. When the body is healthy, the body registers a higher frequency. Studies show that the human body’s frequency can be adversely affected by certain foods, and positively affected by activities such as prayer and  the use of essential oils.

If you would like information on how you can purchase pure, therapeutic grade essential oils, please contact me toll free at 1-877-756-6753. Leave your name and number, so that I can return your call.

References

Battaglia, S., (2003). The complete guide to aromatherapy. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: The International Centre of Aromatherapy.

Essential Oil Desk Reference, Essential Science Publishing, 2001-2010.

Higley, Connie and Alan, Reference Guide to Essential Oils, 1999-2010.

Higley, C., Leatham, P. & Higley, A. (1998). Aromatherapy A-Z. Hay House.

Penoel, Daniel, MD, Natural Home Health Care Using Essential Oils, Osmobiose Publishing, 1998.

Price, S. (1999). Aromatherapy for health professionals. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

Schnaubelt, K. (1999). Medical aromatherapy: Healing with essential oils. Berkeley, CA: Frog, Ltd.

Stewart, David, Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple, CARE Publication, 2005.

Valnet, J. (1980). “The Practice of Aromatherapy”. Healing Arts, Rochester, VT

12 Oils of Ancient Scripture: Cassia

February 16th, 2010

In this installment featuring oils from the 12 Oils of Ancient Scripture, Gary Young discusses the history of cassia and highlights the importance of learning about these unique essential oils.

One of the oldest known spices, cassia oil was distilled from the leaves and twigs and was a highly prized aromatic very similar to cinnamon bark in fragrance and in chemistry.

Like cinnamon, cassia contains compounds that have been shown to inhibit the growth of many types of bacteria and support immune function. A recent study conducted at the Kentucky School of Medicine showed that extracts of this herb can stimulate T lymphocyte activity and immunoglobulin production by B cells, which are key elements of immune function.

How was cassia used for its spiritual purposes? We don’t know exactly. The Egyptians believed in multiple gods, so they adorned themselves with multiple oils to please them. We know that these oils were so treasured that they were also recognized for their powerful ability to help increase spiritual connection and awareness.

We also have to keep in mind that in ancient times the majority of people did not have access to written records or have the ability to read or write. This is why they communicated through touch and scent. Cassia, myrrh, and sandalwood were some of the oils that were used in mummification or burial. They believed that essential oils preserved the body and carried it into the afterlife and prepared them for their journey back. Some people even believed that the oils created a fragrance trail that could be followed back to the present world. Perhaps this is why these oils were regarded with such high esteem. But there are still many aspects that we don’t understand at this time.

If we derived physical benefits from these oils we may also derive spiritual benefits as well. I have traveled the ancient lands and gone to these ancient places, from the shores of the Arabian Sea to the Red Sea. I have traveled the vast wilderness of the desert to the lost city of Ubar, the Atlantis of the sands, to Petra, Jordan, to the Judean desert, Masada, Cumran, and Ghetti. I have studied the ruins where long ago precious resins such as balsam and frankincense were distilled to make essential oils. Then I traveled into Egypt following the history of these aromatics and oils that were given to us in the very beginning of time. I believe that there was a very profound purpose for the gift of these oils and resins. Only today are we beginning to appreciate the immense value of aromatics and essential oils.

It is my desire that you have an understanding of how these oils can improve your life and also the lives of those around you. Essential oils are truly the missing link of modern health and perhaps they are also a missing link in helping to heighten your spiritual connections. I hope they inspire you and empower you to improve your life in every way.

Essentially Yours,

Gary Young

REMOVING TOXINS FROM YOUR HOME
By Edward R Close, PhD, and Jacquelyn A Close, RA

A Chemical World

Most consumers brush their teeth every day. Most bathe or shower with soaps, wash their hair in shampoo, use a conditioner, and perhaps use moisturizing lotions and cosmetics, deodorants, shaving cream, hair spray, and other personal care items. Like most people in the world, you probably also use standard cleaners purchased at your local grocery store or general store, or warehouse giant, to clean floors, windows, counter tops, bathrooms, rugs, walls, tile, cabinets, and you probably don’t think about the ingredients in these products because you know that the government has agencies of people who are supposed to be watching out for you. Right?

What you don’t realize is that it would take more people than there are living in the world today to actually determine if the synthetic, man-made chemicals used in all these items that we use in our homes and on our bodies are safe.

You might wonder:  How is that possible?

Well, in 1907 there were only about 12,000 man-made synthetic chemicals. However, since the 1960s the number of chemicals in our environment has exploded, right along with poorer indoor air quality, allergies and a host of much more serious diseases of the respiratory and immune systems. Our bodies are under attack by substances that our body is not able to metabolize, process or eliminate, and what happens is that these substances eventually get stored in our tissues, they bio-accumulate, and they create health problems, including cancers, asthma, brain disorders, nervous system disorders, and more.

According to the Chemical Abstract Society, the agency responsible for recording all the new patented man-made synthetic chemicals:

• 1907                             ~12,000   abstracts were recorded
• 1939                            ~ 26,000   abstracts had been recorded
• 1965                              212,000
• Nov 6, 2008              39,766,532
• July 31, 2009            49,077,828   chemical abstracts had been recorded

And the number continues to grow at an average rate of over 10,000 new chemicals every single day.

It is impossible for any government agency to monitor this explosion of chemicals. In fact, as stated earlier, if every person on the Earth were employed in evaluating these chemicals, it would be a full-time job for their entire life-time and that would not be sufficient.

Where are the Toxins in Your Home?
The most invasive toxins in your home can be found under your kitchen sink, in your laundry room, and in your bathroom.

Many conventional cleaning products are packed with harsh cleaning chemicals, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Personal care items that we use every day or every week for years are absorbed through our skin and into our brains and other organs and tissues. All of these release toxins including toxic fumes that are known to cause irritation to eyes, lungs, nasal passages, and the skin.

Antibacterial soaps and antibacterial compounds in cleaners are reported by many sources to add to antibiotic resistance, and possibly contribute to the mutation of ordinary bacteria and viruses into super-bugs. Articles and news items about the dangers of antibacterial products appear regularly, yet many people continue using them thinking they are protecting themselves and their family. The antibiotic used in most all these products is, according to the EPA, contaminated with dioxins formed during the manufacturing process. And when triclosan, the antibiotic used in most antibacterial products, combines with chlorinated tap water, a super dioxin – a carcinogen – is formed.

Does Your Toothpaste Have A Warning Label?

Most toothpastes have a warning label that says if swallowed, contact your nearest poison control center. Some people think that this warning is simply because it contains fluoride, but sadly they are misinformed. That is only one of the ingredients in toothpaste that can be hazardous.

Do you think of your toothpaste, your shampoo, your facial soap, your juice, your window cleaner as hazardous chemicals?

The Chemical Onslaught – By the Numbers
Of the roughly 39 million synthetic chemicals that are currently available commercially:
- More than 500 chemicals for cleaning and personal care are found
in the average American Home
- Over 800 neurotoxins have been used in cosmetics and perfumes
- Approximately 3,000 chemicals are added to our foods
- Over 700 chemicals have been found in our drinking water
- Over 400 have been found in human tissues
- Over 200 toxic and hazardous chemicals have been found
in the umbilical cords of newborns

You can find out more on the following websites:

The Chemical Abstracts Society – A division of the American Chemical Society

http://www.cas.org/

The Environmental Working Group

http://www.ewg.org/

Skin Deep – A Cosmetics Database

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com

The Body Burden

http://www.chemicalbodyburden.org/

The Pollution in Newborns
<http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/  >

The American Lung Association

http://www.lungusa.org/

How to Remove Toxins from Your Home

It may be difficult to remove and eliminate all toxins from your home, but the more you do to remove them in the only place you have control, your home, the better your chances are of avoiding or preventing the negative health impacts associated with exposure.

What are those health impacts?

• Abnormal brain development
• Cancer
• Hormone problems
• Asthma
• Damage to the central nervous system
• Behavior problems
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

7  Tips for A Nearly Toxin-Free Home

1.  Let the Sunshine In – and Clear the Air

2.  Replace your floor, counter, bathroom and window cleaners with Non-Toxic Cleaners containing natural, therapeutic grade essential oils

3.  Read Labels and avoid products containing these chemicals

• DEA
• Propylene glycol
• Sodium-Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
• Sodium-Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
• Bisphenol A (BPA)
• Phthalates
• Talc
• Fluoride
• Alcohol
• Aluminum
• Dioxin
• Mercury
• Thimerisol
• Ethanol
• Lead
• Petroleum and Petroleum distillates
• Triclosan
• Many Food Colors
• Many Food Flavorings

4.  Look for low and Zero-VOC paints. Avoid furniture treated with polyurethane.

5.  Use natural, therapeutic grade essential oils instead of

• – bug sprays
• – commercially available first aid products
• – Over-the-Counter medications

6.  Avoid commercially available antibacterial soaps

7.  Eliminate mold, viruses and bacteria by diffusing therapeutic grade essential oils on a daily basis in your home and work place. You get the added benefit that everything will smell naturally fresh and inviting.

Remember, you have control in the place where it counts most. Choose products and practices that support a healthy, happy, toxin-free lifestyle. This is the way to avoid hidden health hazards and assure the safest environment for yourself, your family, and all your loved ones. Your body will thank you with an extended, higher quality of life.

If you would like help in eliminating toxic products from your home, or are looking for therapeutic grade essential oils, just drop us a note. Our favorites are Young Living Essential Oils. Young Living is the world leader in therapeutic grade essential oils and after trying essential oils and oil-enhanced products from many companies, we decided to use Young Living’s products exclusively. They are the best value and we know we can count on them to provide the highest quality therapeutic grade essential oils.

Prostate Cancer? Don’t Let Your Doctor Scare You to Death!

by Jacquelyn Close

Today, Friday, March 20^th, 2009, on CNN’s segment called the Daily Dose, a woman MD on the segment said that research now shows that chemotherapy actually increases the rate of death in men with Prostate Cancer. They found that men who do nothing can live 20 to 30 fairly healthy years. Men who undergo chemotherapy usually die within 3 years of treatment. And this was true even for advanced stages of Prostate Cancer.

I tried to find this report on CNN’s website, so I could get the name of the Doctor, but a search did not yield results. If you weren’t watching this, I hope that this information will come to light so that you and your families can be assured of the truth.

Doctors have known for years that chemotherapy kills. Ralph W Moss, PhD, formerly with Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute, has written numerous reports and books exposing the fact that chemotherapy is only moderately effective for 4 cancers, Prostate Cancer and Breast Cancer are not among those 4. Yet Doctors continue to prescribe chemotherapy for 100% of cancers and insurance companies continue to pay for it, because it is the accepted standard of care. What is caring about scaring someone into going through chemotherapy when you are in fact killing that person?

I chose to forgo chemotherapy in 1985 when I was told I had just 2 months to live. I preferred to take my chances with less drastic options. I did have radiation therapy, even though my oncologist, the head of oncology at Massachussetts General Hospital, thought that it would be a waste of time. In fact, he required that I sign a paper acknowledging my understanding that they had given me so much radiation that if I didn’t die from the cancer, I would be dead from the radiation in 2 years.

It was not the doctors, surgeons, oncologists, or the radiation that rid my body of cancer. It was the healing power of faith in God, in God’s love, Meditation, Prayer, Positive Healing Affirmations, diet, exercise, and other natural means that changed my life. When I found essential oils my whole life changed for the better and I haven’t seen a doctor since 1999. Personally, I think I’m healthier and happier for it.

May you find a way through your darkest hours with hope, light and love.

Anti-biotics vs. Pro-biotics

by Dana Christisen, CRP, Natural Health Coach

Probiotics. We all know that the prefix pro- means ‘for’ but what you may not know is the word biotic means life. When I look at the word probiotic, I see “for life”. This led me to consider the word anti-biotic. The prefix anti- means against, and the word biotic still means life, which makes antibiotic “against life”.

Has anyone noticed the amount of folks that need to take antibiotics lately? Has anyone besides myself noticed the decline in the effectiveness of these drugs? When someone tells me they are on an antibiotic, I immediately ask them if they are taking a probiotic also. Approximately 99 out of 100 people that I ask, don’t have a clue what a probiotic is. In fact, it is kind of funny, but the spell checker on my word processor does not know what it is either because every time I have typed this word, it has been underlined in red.

In our bodies, there is a whole world of microorganisms. They are there in the billions and they will continue to be there even after we are dead (at least for a while). They have a job to do. Some of these bacteria are ‘friendly’ or good and some of the bacteria are bad. They all have names. Some of you may recognize these names like Helicobacter pylori and Candida Albicans. Yeast infections, ulcers, gastritis and many types of cancer can be caused by these bad bacteria, mostly in folks with immune systems that are challenged.

You may recognize some of the names of friendly bacteria like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. Unlike the many dis-eases listed in association with bad bacteria, these good bacteria have a huge list of health conditions that they help to correct. Probiotic supplementation may help to prevent colon cancer, may lower cholesterol, may help to lower blood pressure, improve your immune system and help to prevent infections, may reduce inflammation, may help your body to absorb minerals and may help relieve some diarrhea.

Our balance of helpful bacteria versus harmful bacteria is supposed to be 85 percent helpful to 15 percent harmful. This ratio is hard to maintain in this environment that we live in. Exposure to toxins in our food, the air we breathe, chlorine in water supplies, and antibiotics, all take a toll on the good bacteria in our bodies. The fact is that there will be bacteria in your body, however you get to choose whether it is mostly good or mostly bad.

One way I thought of that helps me to describe this bacteria in our bodies is to compare it to a garden. Whether your garden has flowers or vegetables in it, you will have weeds that grow up in your garden. Would you consider putting Round-up on the entire garden just because you had a few weeds? When you take an antibiotic for an infection, it tries to kill all of the bacteria, not only the culprit behind your infection. But guess what happens, they don’t all die, only the weak ones. Then you may be left with a gut full of very strong bad bacteria.

This is one reason why it is so important for everyone to supplement their diet with probiotics. You do get them from some foods like yogurt, and years ago, we would get them from the soil. However, in this day and age, with the chemicals that are sprayed on our crops, we no longer get very much good bacteria from the earth.

Now that you know why to supplement with probiotics, let me tell you when. What I like to do is take my probiotic supplements right before bed. This way they have a chance to work into the body and not be harmed by chlorine in water or toxins in my food. I take a supplement of about 15 billion bacteria per serving and contains ten different strains of bacteria. When I reach 50, I will need to increase that amount to 30 billion. Also, the probiotic supplement that I take is enteric-coated, which means that the bacteria will make it to the intestines.

I am not a doctor and I do not diagnose or treat any health condition. I am only giving you a compilation of information that I have gained over the years of studying natural health. Any information I am giving you is only my opinion and is what I would do for myself. Until next week, may all of your bacteria be good ones, naturally speaking.

Obligatory Disclaimer: The preceeding information is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone suffering from a serious disease, illness or injury should consult with a physician.