Citrus fruits contain WHOLE VITAMIN C, as well as other supportive nutrients such as bioflavonoids, and without this amazing vitamin, the gums lose their grip on the teeth and before they knew what was happening, sailors’ teeth were dropping out left and right. And center. The problem got so bad that the British Navy became stumped and put their best men on finding a solution. Eventually, it was discovered that those sailors going ashore and eating native fruits were healing quickly not only from loose teeth and bleeding gums, but also other problems like sores on their skin.

The fruit that saved the seas was the lemon (also called limes) and the Brits were tagged with the nickname Limey.

It would have been much easier, of course, to take along a case of FlavoC, but this was several centuries before the Internet.

The moral of the story is this: Whether you are a pirate, a sailor or just a plain human being, your body requires vitamin C foods (not just the ascorbic acid vitamin pill) for healthy tissues of the gums, teeth, lungs, skin, glands and blood vessels. And, also not found in vitamin C pills, your body needs the helper nutrients, bioflavonoids for skin tissue cells, also found in every tablet of FlavoC . Unlike pirates of yore, you can get your bottle of Flavo C from our website.

And don’t forget to tell your friends about our supplements. You can be earning affiliate dollars — profits for health!! Just click here for more information.

The medicinal and nutritional value of grapes ( Vitis vinifera ) has been heralded for thousands of years. Egyptians consumed this fruit at least 6,000 years ago, and several ancient Greek philosophers praised the healing power of grapes — usually in the form of wine. European folk healers developed an ointment from the sap of grapevines to cure skin and eye diseases. Grape leaves were used to stop bleeding, inflammation, and pain, such as the kind brought on by hemorrhoids. Unripe grapes were used to treat sore throats and dried grapes (raisins) were used to heal consumption, constipation, and thirst. The round, ripe, sweet grapes, were used to treat a range of health problems including cancer, cholera, smallpox, nausea, eye infections, and skin, kidney, and liver diseases.

Seedless varieties were developed to appeal to fickle consumers, but researchers are now discovering that many of the health properties of grapes may actually come from the seeds themselves.
Read the rest of this story from the University of Maryland Medical Center

This is the reason grape seeds and grape skins are put into SuperGreens PhytoFood.

SOURCE OF VITAMIN C: CLICK HERE

—————————————-

Here’s an interesting bit of research that comes from Nice, France. The relationship between gum disease and the need for calcium and vitamin C is quite apparent.

“Two studies by researchers in the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine show that people with low levels of Vitamin C in their diets and those who had too little calcium as young adults, appear to have nearly twice the risk of developing periodontal disease later in life than people with higher dietary levels of either nutrient.”

These studies, according to Sara Grossi, DDS, director of the UB Periodontal Research Center, are key in promoting dental health, as they show that brushing isn’t the only issue in good teeth and gums. Diet plays a major role. Diet includes both foods we eat and the foods we fail to eat. In essence, if we do not eat the right foods (vitamin C and calcium foods included) , then we are causing deficiencies that begin to erode dental health.

Results of studies conveyed at the annual meeting of the International Association for Dental Research were eye-opening to the dental industry, yet the outcomes have been suspected for decades by natural health care researchers such as dentist Weston Price, Bernard Jensen and others.

“Both studies used data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) I and III, carried out in 1971-75 and 1988-94 respectively. NHANES I involved 2,392 persons; 12,412 people were surveyed for NHANES III.

“Analysis of dietary calcium for both survey periods showed that women consumed less than the minimum recommended daily intake of 800 milligrams, the amount in four glasses of milk, while the average for men was slightly more than 800 mg.

“Comparison of calcium intake with periodontal disease, defined by the amount of gum detachment from underlying bone, showed that in the total study population, men and women who had low levels of the mineral in their diets were half again as likely to develop periodontal disease as those who met or exceeded the recommended dietary allowance for calcium.

“When only participants between the ages of 20 to 39 years were analysed, low calcium intake doubled the risk of periodontal disease.
‘This is a new piece of evidence,’ Grossi said. ‘We never knew people so young were at risk of gum disease and of losing bone around their teeth. It points out how important it is for children and teens to get enough calcium during those formative years to reach their peak bone mass in the jaw and everywhere else.

‘It really is true that calcium builds strong bones and teeth. If the underlying bone is not strong to start with, it will not be able to counter noxious agents, such as bacteria and substances in cigarette smoke, which attack bone, teeth and gums.’

And what of people who didn’t get enough vitamin C in their diet? Those with lowest amounts of vitamin C were at the highest risk of dental disease. Clear and simple. Even worse was the profile for smokers who failed to consume enough vitamin C foods. Researchers point to the fact that vitamin C is needed for maintaining and repairing connective tissue, which is vital for gum and tooth health. Antioxidants in fruits and berries are an integral part of this equation.
‘Vitamin C in the diet increases the ability of tissue to repair itself and fight invading bacteria and other toxins. We found a very strong association for all age groups, but the results were most pronounced in smokers. They experience more of an insult to the gum tissues, so they need higher levels of vitamin C to help counteract smoke’s toxins.’

Source: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/89b12.htm

“Pau d’arco, or the inner bark of the Tabebuia avellanedae tree, is native to Brazil, where it is used traditionally to treat a wide range of conditions including pain, arthritis, inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis), fever, dysentery, boils and ulcers, and various cancers. Preliminary laboratory research examining the properties of pau d’arco is beginning to suggest that the traditional uses may have scientific merit. Such laboratory studies have shown that pau d’arco has pain killing, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, anti-psoriatic, and anti-cancer abilities.” Other uses include for candidiasis (a yeast infection of the vaginal or oral areas), herpes simplex virus, influenza, parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis, bacterial infections such as brucellosis, and inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis) or the vagina (vaginitis). Pau d’arco may also reduce inflammation of the joints associated with arthritis. (University of Maryland Medical Center; http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/PaudArcoch.html)

Traditional uses also include for cancer, lupus, infectious diseases, wounds, backache, toothache and sexually transmitted diseases. Proponents claim that naphthaquinones enhance the immune system, cleanse the body and stimulate the production of red blood cells, which can increase the amount of oxygen the blood can carry contributing to healing. In large doses, Pau d’arco has killed lung cancer cells grown in the laboratory and reduced the rate of lung tumor growth in mice. The whole bark has no known side effects. The unrefined bark is much safer than taking extracts of the active ingredients. High doses of naphthaquinones can cause uncontrolled bleeding, nausea and vomiting. (University of California Medical Center, San Diego; Moores Cancer Center) For this reason, it is safer to consume the plant in its whole, natural form (as found in Nutriplex Formulas’ UltimateDefense Detox Complex) rather than as preparation that infuses isolated naphthaquinones into the formula.

“In addition to its reported antitumor activities, Pau d’arco clearly has demonstrated broad clinical actions against a number of disease-causing organisms, which supports its wide uses in herbal medicine. Antimicrobial properties of many active phytochemicals were demonstrated in several trials, in which they exhibited strong in vitro activity against various gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and yeast (including Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, cryptococcus neoformans).

”Lapachol has been stated to be active against certain viral strains including herpes virus types I and II. Naphthoquinones have been documented to show effectiveness against four strains of the flu, polio and vesicular stomatitis virus. The mechanism of action of these quinolones is supposed to be via DNA and RNA polymerase inhibition and retrovirus reveres transcriptase. Further Beta- lapachone is presumed to interfere with the replication of HIV-1 virus via transcriptase inhibition. Pau d’arco and its chemicals also have demonstrated in vitro antiviral properties against various viruses, including Herpes I and II, influenza, poliovirus, and vesicular stomatitis virus. It is reported that lapachol decreases the replication of viruses in human subjects however there is no available clinical data. (Rahel Woldu; Reviewed 5/14/03 Susan Paulsen Pharm D; University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center)

IMPORTANT NOTE ON QUALITY: “Most of the commercially-available pau d’arco contain the inner and outer bark of the tree—which is stripped off at sawmills when the heartwood is milled into lumber for construction materials. At least 10 species of Tabebuia are logged commercially in South America for lumber purposes alone. When these logs arrive at lumber mills, the identifying leaves and flowers (which distinguish the tree species) are long gone—it’s all just “pau d’arco.” This may explain varying species of pau d’arco bark being sold as herbal products—and their resulting (diminished) quality.” FOR THIS REASON, NutriPlex Formulas uses a guaranteed pure source of Pau D’arco from the Costa Rican Rainforest.

* A Cancer Patient’s Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2nd Edition; Editor: Kerry Harwood, RN, MSN; Duke University Medical Center

Studies have shown that fish oil may well be the closest thing to a cure-all the world of nutrition has to offer. It lowers triglyceride levels and blood pressure, normalizes heart rhythm, prevents heart disease and sudden cardiac death, reduces inflammation and treats chronic inflammatory conditions such as allergies and autoimmune diseases, and prevents some cancers.

The eyes, like other parts of the body, are vulnerable to the effects of chronic inflammation. Age-related degeneration of the macula, an area in the back of the eye that is critical to proper vision, might be one of the results of chronic eye inflammation. Macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly.

A number of studies have linked macular degeneration to damage caused by harmful free radicals, which are combated by antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and A, beta carotene, zinc, and selenium. Other research has found that the balance of fatty acids in the eye can influence macular degeneration risk, possibly by affecting the degree of inflammation.

Both saturated fatty acids (from animal fats) and monounsaturated fatty acids (from olive and other oils) have been found to slightly increase macular degeneration risk, while higher amounts of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids from fish, which are anti-inflammatory, appear to slightly decrease risk. The new study, published in Archives of Ophthalmology, included 4,519 people between 60 and 80 years old. After completing eye exams, the people were divided into four groups depending on the severity of macular degeneration. The results of dietary questionnaires were analyzed within each group.

People who reported eating more than one serving of baked or broiled fish per week were 35% less likely to have advanced macular degeneration than those who ate less than one serving of fish per month. The people with the highest intake of omega-3 fatty acids were found to be 40% less likely to be in the advanced macular degeneration group than those with the lowest intake. Of the omega-3 fatty acids, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, one of the primary fatty acids from fish) gave the strongest protection.

While eating fats from fish seemed to protect against macular degeneration, eating high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids from animal fat seemed to increase the likelihood of having macular degeneration. “It is important to consider the balance and composition of dietary [fats] from the omega-3 and omega-6 families,” the study’s authors point out in their conclusion. “These results and those from other [studies] suggest that modifying the diet to include more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids could results in a reduction in the risk of having [advanced] age-related macular degeneration.”

(Arch Ophthalmol 2007;125:671–9)

Read more on FISH OILS HERE.

The health of bones, cartilage, muscle, joints and tendons is greatly supported by specific foods and herbs that contain the building blocks not only for new tissue, but also for celluar regeneration. The latter is an important issue because of the great amount of stress placed on the musculoskeletal issue from:
• injury
• aging
• growth
• deterioration
• drug use (including drugs that destroy tissue as negative side effects)
• athletics
• exercise
• strain
• genetic abnormalities
• disease (e.g., arthritis, osteoporosis, rickets)
• hormonal changes (e.g., estrogen in menopausal/postmenopausal women)
• improper nutrition

Regarding the last point, few doctors recognize the role of diet in musculoskeletal health, and focus more on repairing and preventing injuries.

HORSETAIL
Horsetail is an plant that contains chemicals with a mild diuretic action – promoting the loss of water from the body. Taken orally for a few days horsetail may relieve mild swelling caused by excess water in the body. Historically, it has also been used to treat bladder, kidney, and urinary tract infections, but prescription diuretics (“water pills”) and antibiotics used in modern medicine are much more potent (yet cause side effects) for both of these uses.

Horsetail has been studied for its possible usefulness in treating arthritis, osteoporosis, and other conditions of bones and cartilage. Horsetail contains relatively large amounts of silica and smaller amounts of calcium. — components of bones, joints, and connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. “It is believed that proteins in body tissues need silica to combine properly. Isolated results from early studies of animals show that horsetail may also have some pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, which could add to its potential as a treatment for arthritis and related conditions. Some case reports relate the use of horsetail to lower incidences of osteoporosis. ..Other chemicals in horsetail have an astringent effect that may lessen bleeding and speed healing of minor skin injuries such as cuts and scrapes. An astringent helps shrink and tighten the top layers of skin or mucous membranes, thereby reducing secretions, relieving irritation, and improving tissue firmness. Oil distilled from horsetail has shown some anti-infective effects in laboratory studies.” (drugdigest.org)

Other benefits
Horsetail is also useful for genito-urinary problems as well as support for the brittle fingernails, gout, frostbite, excessively heavy menstruation, rheumatic disease, skin and hair. (supplementnews.org)

Horsetail is a key ingredient in ProMin Complex, by NutriPlex Formulas.

By Jeremy Appleton, ND, CNS

Healthnotes Newswire (June 14, 2007)—Fish oil supplements and regular exercise both reduce body fat and improve cardiovascular health. Could combining the two work better than either one alone?

“Only two studies have previously investigated these two interventions in combination,” said Professor Peter R.C. Howe, director of the Nutritional Physiology Research Center, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, and supervising author of the new study. But because of the study design it wasn’t clear whether this combined intervention effectively reduced cardiovascular risk and improved body composition in overweight participants.

In the new study, overweight volunteers with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides were randomly assigned to one of the following interventions:

• fish oil,

• fish oil and exercise,

• sunflower oil (placebo), or

• sunflower oil and exercise.

They took 6 grams of tuna fish oil per day (providing 1.9 grams of omega-3 fatty acids) or 6 grams of sunflower oil per day. The exercise groups walked three days per week for 45 minutes at 75% of their maximal heart rate.

People who supplemented with fish oil experienced lowered triglycerides, increased HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and improved blood vessel function. Exercise alone improved some measures of artery health. Both fish oil and exercise independently reduced body fat. Though regular, moderate-intensity exercise, either alone or combined with fish oil supplementation, had no effect on triglycerides or cholesterol, researchers still came away from the study concluding that fish oil plus exercise was a winning combination.

In addition to obesity itself being a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, obese people often have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in a condition known as the metabolic syndrome. So it’s helpful when interventions for obesity target multiple cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.

Several studies have found that taking omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil results in fewer deaths from coronary artery disease. Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may lessen several cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure and triglycerides. In addition, some, but not all, clinical studies show that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids can reduce body fat.

Most studies find that physical activity alone leads to relatively minor weight loss. While the lost pounds may be few, it is nevertheless clear that physical activity prevents weight gain. But it can take as much as 60 to 90 minutes per day of moderate-intensity physical exercise to maintain body weight in the absence of other interventions, such as diet modification or supplementation. Exercise, with and without weight loss, independently improves several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including lowering blood pressure, favorably altering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and improving the function of blood vessels.

“Increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids could be a useful adjunct to exercise programs,” concludes Professor Howe, “because both therapies improve body composition and decrease cardiovascular disease risk.”

(Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:1267–74)

Copyright © 2007 Healthnotes, Inc.

———————————–
FISH OILS: FOUR A DAY REALLY HELPS.
VASCOR COMPLEX: FOR ADDITIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR SUPPORT DURING EXERCISE

By Maureen Williams, ND

Healthnotes Newswire (May 3, 2007)—Pain relief is one of the most common reasons that people seek medical care, and now people looking for alternatives to drugs have another place to turn. A new report finds that omega-3 fatty acids from fish are effective for relieving joint pain associated with a variety of conditions.

Nutritional, herbal, and homeopathic supplements have become increasingly popular among people looking for pain relief, owing in part to concerns about the side effects of anti-inflammatory and analgesic medicines. While some of these natural therapies have promising evidence supporting their effectiveness, many remain unstudied.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oil (EPA [eicosapentaenoic acid] and DHA [docosahexaenoic acid]), and some plant oils such as flaxseed oil (ALA [alpha-linolenic acid]). When these fatty acids are part of the diet or are used as supplements, the body uses them to make anti-inflammatory compounds.

A wealth of research has demonstrated the benefits of taking fish oil and EPA/DHA supplements. As a result, the US Food and Drug Administration determined that labels on foods containing the omega-3 fatty acids from fish can include a health claim stating that they might protect against heart disease.

Other studies have shown that supplementing with fish oil or EPA/DHA can relieve joint pain in people with inflammatory diseases. A new report, published in the journal Pain, examined the results of 17 such studies, which included people suffering from joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or painful menstruation.

The analysis found that fish oil or EPA/DHA supplements, providing 2.7 grams or more of omega-3 fatty acids per day, consistently reduced participants’ perception of pain, number of painful or tender joints, morning stiffness, and use of anti-inflammatory medicines.

The greatest benefits were observed after three months of therapy; however, since most of the studies were three months long or less, it is not clear whether longer use would lead to further pain reduction.

The authors of the report suggest that EPA/DHA supplements might be useful in treating other types of chronic inflammatory pain, such as the pain of osteoarthritis and chronic back pain, but no controlled clinical trials have been done yet. “Omega-3 [fatty acids] are an attractive adjunctive treatment for joint pain,” they concluded.

(Pain 2007 [in press])

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
EDITOR’S NOTE:
At Nutrition Research Center, our schedule is:
FishOils: 4 capsules per day
InflaPlex: 6 capsules per day
VasCor Complex: 4 tablets per day

We take it all for granted — our musculoskeletal system — until something goes wrong, whether it’s a minor sprain or something more serious such as broken bones or arthritis. Then we realize how difficult life becomes trying to do even the simplest things. Dealing with problems of the joints, tendons, muscles, cartilage and supportive structures has to do with prevention as well as feeding the musculoskeletal system with supportive nutrients. (See ProMin Complex). Diet and nutrition has much to do with the health of these important structures.

Musculoskeletal problems include:
• Arthritis
• Joint pain and problems
• Chronic back aches
• Neck aches
• Restless sleep
• Sports injuries (tennis elbow, knee injury)
• Problems from auto accidents
• Hyperextended joints
• Osteoporosis
• Vitamin D deficiency related problems
• Joint stiffness
• Damage to the ligaments and tendons
• Sprains and broken bones
• Hip fractures

Adjunctive Nutritional Schedule
ProMin Complex: 8 tablets per day
InflaPlex: 6 capsules per day
CalMag Balance: 6 tablets per day
GreenNutrients (with arthritis) or SuperGreens: 6 tablets per day
FlaxSeed Oil: 1t per day

For additional support with vitamins A and D food add
CodLiver Oil: 3 capsules a day

The key to strong bones, joints and cartilage is to eat the right kinds of foods, including foods with phosphorus (See ProMin Complex) not just calcium. And, good oils and fats help lubricate joints. Vitamin A and D foods also encourage strong bones, as does weight-bearing exercise. (See CodLiver Oil) Also, the musculoskeletal system (especially bones) needs a good supply of vitamin K as well. (See GreenNutrients)

Arthritis and Gout
Arthritis and Gout are problems that may be helped by making the body more alkaline and may respond well to an Alkaline Diet. As part of this program, alkaline ash minerals help reduce acidity in the body. (See GreenNutrients) Some of the most acid-causing substances include beef, sugars, alcohol, all refined foods, most drugs and all artificial ingredients.

Chondroitin, MSM, Glucosamine Sulfate
These three substances, chondroitin, MSM and glucosamine sulfate, are made naturally by nutrient-dense foods and their actions within the body due to sulfur-bearing amino acids. Foods to eat include cartilage, and green vegetables as well as sulfur containing vegetables. All of these are contained within ProMin Complex.

Glucosamine is made in the body from glucose (a sugar) and the amino acid glutamine. Glucosamine is used as the starting material for tendons and ligaments, mucous membranes in the digestive and respiratory tracts, nails, skin, bone, eyes, heart valves, and synovial fluid in the joints. In its sulfated form, glucosamine provides cartilage with its structure, strength, and “shock absorbing” properties. (See ProMin Complex)

Glucosamine sulfate is produced in the body through several enzymatically controlled reactions. Food sources containing high concentrations of glutamine include raw parsley and spinach. Glucosamine is found in the largest amounts in cartilage tissue. Cartilage-containing products are available and include those harvested from shark and bovine sources. Contained in ProMin Complex are cartilage (bovine trachea), sulfur bearing amino acids. GreenNutrients contain raw parsley and spinach as well as other alkaline producing minerals. Glucosamine sulfate does not appear in significant amounts in most diets and is made in the body.

Osteoporosis
If you’re concerned about osteoporosis, you should know a little bit more about the important role of vitamin K. (See GreenNutrients and SuperGreens PhytoFood):

“Making sure a woman’s diet contains adequate amounts of vitamin K may help prevent bone loss (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2003; 77: 512-6). This study supports previous research indicating that low dietary vitamin K intake is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture.

“In the study, vitamin K intake was assessed, using a food-frequency questionnaire, in 1,112 men and 1,479 women (average age, 59 years). Among the women, those consuming the least amount of vitamin K (25th percentile or lower) had significantly lower bone mineral density of the hip and spine, compared with women consuming the most vitamin K (75th percentile or higher). Among the men, there was no association between vitamin K intake and bone density.
“While vitamin K is best known for its role in blood clotting, this vitamin also plays a key role in bone formation. Vitamin K is required for the production of a structural protein in bone called osteocalcin, which serves as the matrix upon which mineral crystals form in the process of laying down new bone. Without adequate vitamin K, osteocalcin cannot be produced, and bone formation becomes impaired.
“Studies have shown that women with osteoporosis have significantly lower blood levels of vitamin K, compared with women of the same age who have normal bones. In addition, when women with osteoporosis take supplemental vitamin K, the urinary excretion of calcium falls by about 50%, suggesting that less calcium is being leached from the bones.” (Gaby, MD, Alan, HealthNotes Newswire, 3/27/03)

Sources of vitamin K include green foods as well as several whole food formulas, including SuperGreens PhytoFood: alfalfa, wheat grass, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, asparagus, lettuce, spinach, and some vegetable juices, as well as green, leafy vegetables.

Other helpful natural health care:
• Chiropractic
• Massage
• Osteopathic adjustments
• Water aeorobics
• Weight bearing exercise for building stronger bones
• Traditional Chinese medicine (not just acupuncture alone)

Nobody gets through life unscathed and unhurt. From the time we are little children, we come to understand the meaning of bruises, scratches, sores, infections and inflammation. But what is not well known is that inflammation is a process of great importance, and not something to regard as a disease itself. In fact, inflammation is a process that the body encourages, yet the medical community discourages. The goal of many doctors in natural health care is to find a balance by helping the body move smoothly and rapidly through the process of inflammation.

Adjunctive Nutritional Schedule

• InflaPlex: 6 capsules a day (2 every other hour with acute inflammation)
• CalMag Balance: 8 tablets a day
• FishOils: 4 capsules a day
• GreenNutrients: 8 tablets a day

With injuries of the joints, muscles, bone, tendons, cartilage, add
ProMin Complex, 6 tablets a day

With pain, add
VasCor Complex: 4 tablets a day

It takes A LOT OF NUTRIENTS to help the inflammation process.

More on Inflammation.
Modern science treats inflammation as a disease, or symptom. To compound this problem, the word “infection” is used very often to describe inflammation, and is applied to ear aches, arthritic swelling, head colds, flu, congestion, sore throat, sinus problems, fever, cuts and scrapes, urinary tract problems and even the body’s reaction to toxic exposure. The word infection is not really accurate.
An infection is defined as: “Invasion by and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in a bodily part or tissue, which may produce subsequent tissue injury and progress to overt disease through a variety of cellular or toxic mechanisms; An instance of being infected; An agent or a contaminated substance responsible for one’s becoming infected; The pathological state resulting from having been infected. ” (dictionary.com)

Inflammation is not infection. When body tissues are insulted or injured, as with trauma, excess stress, fatigue, drastic temperature changes, exposure to toxins and poisons, or nutritional deficiencies, there is some damage or breakdown of cells. The body’s reaction is a process called the biochemistry of inflammation and repair.

Symptoms are presented at each stage of inflammation, and these are often misinterpreted as “bad,” to be halted with drugs, herbs or other chemicals. Yet, if the process is interfered with, the body may not fully accomplish its mission to fully repair the tissue.

Certain requirements are needed by the cells to accomplish its process of inflammation and repair:

1. A constant blood supply to the area;
2. A constant nerve supply to the area;
3. Natural vitamin complexes, enzymes, minerals, trace elements, bioflavonoids, amino acids, etc.

If all these items are not present in sufficient supplies, the original problem is prolonged and repair may not be properly completed.
With inflammation comes swelling, blood flow, white blood cells, removal of damaged cells, mucus, pus, enzyme activity, nutrients, heat and pain. These are all natural occurrences.

Five basic symptoms of inflammation are

1. redness
2. swelling
3. heat
4. pain
5. limited/impaired function

These have been known since the ancient Greek and Roman era. “These signs are due to extravasation [forcing the flow of (blood or lymph) from a vessel out into surrounding tissue.] of plasma and infiltration of leukocytes into the site of inflammation. Early investigators considered inflammation a primary host defence system.
“According to different criteria, inflammatory responses can be divided into several categories. The criteria include:

1. time — hyperacute (peracute), acute, subacute, and chronic inflammation;
2. the main inflammatory manifestation – alteration, exudation, proliferation;
3. the degree of tissue damage – superficial, profound (bordered, not bordered);
4. characteristic picture – nonspecific, specific; immunopathological mechanisms allergic (reaginic) inflammation,
5. inflammation mediated by cytotoxic antibodies,
6. inflammation mediated by immune complexes, delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. ” (http://nic.sav.sk/logos/books/scientific/node5.html)

NUTRITIONAL NEEDS (See Adjunctive Nutritional Schedule above)
Inflammation carries with it a call for specific nutrients to aid in the repair process, which in turn eliminate inflammation. Needed are specific vitamins (A, C, E, K, etc.), minerals (calcium, phosophorus, zinc, selenium, potassium, etc.), and bioflavonoids (rutin, quercetin, hesperidin, et.al.) to increase the strength of capillaries (blood vessels) and to regulate their permeability. Bioflavonoids assist vitamin C in supporting collagen , the intercellular “cement” and; are essential for the proper absorption and use of vitamin C, prevent Vitamin C from being destroyed in the body by oxidation, are beneficial in hypertension, help hemorrhages and ruptures in the capillaries and connective tissues, and build a protective barrier against infections.