Little Trent handed his Papa the harmonica, climbed up on his lap and promptly went to sleep to the music. "Papa" can play the harmonica after an initial time when he could not.
2015 Updates
Jan - What not to eat and the power of the mind
Feb - Health Review from Kim
Mar - Review of book Embraced by the Light by Betty Eadie about the power we have within us.
Apr - Understanding the dangers of Morphine
May - Notes on the Power of belief, Liver/testing, Gut health, Mold, Stem cells
June - Notes on liver healing, organic foods, L-serine, fungus/candida
July - Story of Steven Bishop reversal
Aug - Book Conquering Lou Gehrig's Disease by Hannah Yoseph, MD
Sep - David Atkinson healed his ALS & then helped others to heal
Oct - Magnesium Threonate may cross the blood/ brain barrier
Nov - Foods that detox the liver
Dec - Service to others increases your life span
January 2015
What not to eat and the power of the mind
Dear PALS,
The new year is just beginning. Time for resolutions. What resolutions should a person with ALS make? We have shared what we eat, but what about what we don't eat.
What not to consume:
Soda pop! It has zero food value and is loaded with chemicals. Diet sodas contain aspartame, which is a very dangerous neurotoxin. Dr. Yoseph points out the soda pop is 10,000 times more acidic than you blood. Your blood has to stay right a basic or you die, so it goes on a search for alkalinity in your body - organs, bones, teeth, tissue. Anything to try to keep you alive.
Alcohol! Alcohol causes liver dysfunction. The job of your liver is to detox your body. If your liver is not working, then it cannot detox. No matter the route you took to get ALS, detoxing through a healthy liver is very important. Another factor of alcohol is that it deletes your magnesium, a critical component in healing ALS.
Drugs! Over the counter and prescription are all toxic. We and others believe statin drugs can cause ALS. Statin drugs are prescribed to lower cholesterol. Yet your brain is mostly cholesterol, and lowering it too much means you don't have a brain. Diet changes should help with overly high cholesterol. Actually adequate magnesium will balance cholesterol naturally. Another statin issue is that statin drugs delete or damage your glia cells. Glia cells make myelin sheath (the protective coating around the nerves). You need glia cells to restore the myelin sheath.
My opinion: the medical field keeps lowering the safe level for cholesterol so they can sell more drugs. See www.spacedoc.com for a professional medical opinion by Dr. Graveline.
Fast foods! Here is my opinion again - avoid it like a plague. The foods are created to make a profit, not to nourish their customers.
Processed foods. Bread, pasta, crackers, ice cream, tortillas, corn chips, boxed and packaged foods, etc., etc. Read the labels. If you can't pronounce the ingredients, you probably should not eat it. The processed foods of today are so loaded with chemicals that it is amazing we even allow them on the market. But the food producers add the MSG and the aspartame, etc., to make them taste good. They are adding something like 800 new chemicals to our foods per year. That is downright scary. READ THE LABELS! Adam and Eve had no Spagettios bushes or hamburger helper trees. Eat real food. On some of these (Ice Cream and very limited chips and light treats) Kim cheats a little once in a while because of his "weakness of the flesh" as he says. Just use common sense.
We go out to dinner once or twice a week. We try to select our meals carefully. But if you need an occasional treat, don't feel guilty. Just make it only occasional.
Next Subject - The Power of Your Mind
I was given a book by Dr. Bernard Lown, a cardiologist. The name of the book is "The Lost Art of Healing." It is really more of a book for doctor to doctor rather than doctor to patient. However, he discusses at length the importance of treating the patient as a person, not just a diagnosis, of taking detailed histories, and of being very optimistic instead of handing out death sentences.
A couple of sad instances he tells in the book. A woman was in the hospital for a heart issues, nothing serious. Her doctor came in the room with some interns, Dr. Lown being one of them. Her doctor referred to her has having TS and they made several references to other heart conditions. They all left the room, but Dr. Lown noticed the woman was in great distress. He stayed with her and talked to her. She thought TS meant terminal situation, not the medical term it stands for. Dr. Lown tried all he could do the change her mind. He called her doctor and was told that he would come see her when he finished his rounds at 7 PM. But her doctor was too late. She died before he got there. Nothing was wrong with her heart. Her belief that she was dying killed her.
In another instance, Dr. Lown read of an experiment in India where a young man was sentenced to die. Prison officials allowed a Hindu physician to conduct an experiment, so instead of the scheduled hanging, they told the prisoner he would be bled to death instead of hanging. He was told it would take longer but would be painless. They laid him on a bed and blindfolded him. They scratched his skin on each limb. What he could not see was that they placed vessels of water on each corner of the bed and began a slow drip of water. When the water from the vessels finished dripping, the man appeared to have fainted. But they discovered he was dead. He was a healthy young man and had not lost one drop of blood.
Dr. Lown also gives many instances of people who have lived far beyond what he thought was possible for their health conditions, sometimes for many, many years.
So my point is don't let the negative prognosis of ALS given by a medical specialist that you may believe to be very wise, take away your ability and desire to live. We believe there are many things that can help heal ALS. The biggest tool in our arsenal being the power of our minds. Neurologists around the world are taught to say, "I am sorry. You have ALS. You have 3-5 years to live, or, as in Kim's case, 1 year to live. There is nothing we can do except prescribe one drug." They fail to tell us that some PALS live for many years. Perhaps if the doctors were taught the value of eliminating toxins instead of adding more, all our life spans would be significantly improved.
Healing starts with believing you can get well and that you are not going to let ALS get in your way. You will have to study and learn - It's like getting a master's degree in holistic medicine.
Put your faith in God, and he will guide you to what will help you heal We have just celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. When he was on the earth, he healed the sick. He healed all ten lepers not just the one that would show him gratitude. He can bring healing into your life as well.
A Final Note From Kim:
We appreciate all our PALS and the friendships we have with you. I continue to do quite well. My upper neuron issues have healed to the point that I no longer have to carbonated my drinking water, which is huge!
We are flying to the Las Vegas area next month to play in a golf tournament with some friends from Idaho. I hate to confess that I most likely will be the worst golfer in the bunch. But the fact that I am still playing is a testament to my sweet wife and her tenacity to help me heal. You really must believe you too can heal. And find a way to keep doing the things you love, even if you can't do them as well as you once did. That in itself will help to promote healing.
February 2015
Health review from Kim
Hello, all my fellow PALS. This is Kim, and I decided it was a good time to add a personal note to our site.
Thursday January 22, 2015 was our 38th month anniversary of that sweet little chat we had with my neurologist. It was just a few days later that we sat with my primary care physician, and he told me I could expect possibly another year, but there was no way I would see two. So I celebrated this "anniversary" by playing in a three day golf tournament at the Primm Valley Golf Resort in Nevada. I knew I wouldn't win anything unless they had a category for PALS. My goal was to not shoot the highest score of the whole tournament. But whether I broke 90 (my goal) or shot 110 (more likely), I am playing golf. I ended up not shooting the highest score of my foursome any of the three rounds on very challenging courses, and actually shot 45 on my last nine holes. And I fully expect to be playing for many years to come. The fact that my friends invited me to join them, knowing my game is not up to "par", thrilled me.
I am not yet completely healed of ALS, but I continue to make progress. My upper body strength, especially my arms and hands, are better than they have been in the last five or six years. I still have considerable issues with my feet and my balance, and that embarrassing "drop foot." But we continue many of the therapies, most critically the diet and supplements and oxidative theapies. I have seen remarkable improvement in my ability to move my toes (Kay thinks primarily because I have been rubbing coconut oil on the bottom of my feet for about three months), which are still curled (hammer toed), but perhaps not as bad. I am close to being able to stand straight and lift my heels off the floor, something I could not begin to do two years ago. Isn't it amazing how all these little things tend to take on so much more significance for us PALS?
Three years ago, it was almost more than I could do to get from the door or a restaurant in our Idaho winter, to our car parked in handicap parking. Yet, on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, I played a full round of golf on a cold wet day in the mid-40s here in Brownsville, TX and felt no ill effects afterwards. That does make a statement that I can still do some pretty stupid things, since my friend and I were the only two golfers on the course.) I don't often try to walk the rounds anymore, because my horrendous gait causes pain in my knees, hips, and feet. I decided I don't have to prove I'm macho anymore by walking. I want to enjoy the game, and life.
Kay and I believe the biggest reason for these most significant improvements is that we have eliminated most of the toxicity from my body. It is also interesting to note that I have not had a cold or the flu in over three years, even when I do stupid things as noted above.
We continue to receive calls and emails from new PALS every week, sometimes two or three a week, that are fighting this battle. I know exactly how every PALS feels at the onset.. ALS looms like a monster mountain right in front of us, and we ask, "How can I ever climb this thing?" We climb it one step at a time. But we must never stop believing that we can reach the top.
Our hearts go out to every one of you. We thrill with your successes, and challenge you to fight and win, then pay it forward. Your are part of our family. It amazes me at how quickly we bond as fellow PALS.
We are here for anyone that needs to chat, or hear a voice of a PALS that could barely talk three years ago. Our email works 24/7, and we will give our phone numbers to anyone who ask..
God Bless You All, Kim
Here is a beautiful song by a little girl singing - You Raise Me Up. Once you are "raised up", raise up others.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203438311151901&fref=nf
(If get the hyperlink working, paste and clip it to your address bar)
March 2015
Review of book Embraced by the Light by Betty Eadie about the power we have within us.
Dear PALS,
I have had a book for a number of years and just recently re-read it. The title of the book is Embraced by the Light by Betty J. Eadie. Betty was raised in an orphanage and very often felt unloved. She had a near death experience during a surgery, and the book is written about her experiences. She wrote the book many years after her experience. It gives some very powerful information about the reason we are here on earth (we all have a mission) and the power we possess to heal if we only knew it. As she was having this out-of-body experience, the questions on her mind would be answered immediately. She was a very curious person and had lots of questions.
I want to share with you one chapter from the book called Healing--and Dying:
"After learning of the two major energy forces in the universe, both subject to the authority of God, I saw how these powers can affect us physically. Remembering that the spirit and the mind have tremendous influence on the flesh, I saw that we literally have power to affect our own health. I saw that the spirit in each of us is powerful, that it can give strength to the body to ward off illness, or, once the body is sick, to cause it to heal. The spirit has power to control the mind and the mind controls the body. Often in reflecting on this principle I have been reminded of the scripture: "For as (a man) thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)
Our thoughts have exceptional power to draw on the negative or positive energies around us. When they draw at length on the negative, the result can be a weakening of the body's defenses. This is especially true when our negative thoughts are centered on ourselves. I understood that we are at our most self-centered state when we are depressed. Nothing can sap our natural strength and health as much as prolonged depression. But when we make the effort to move ourselves away from the self and begin to concentrate on the needs of others and how to serve them, we begin to heal. Service is a balm to both the spirit and body.
All healing takes place from within. Our spirits heal our body. A doctor's sure hands may perform surgery, and medicine may provide ideal circumstances for health (and Kay adds, God's natural foods and healing remedies), but it is the spirit then that effects the healing. A body without a spirit cannot be healed: it cannot live for long. I was shown that the cells of our bodies were engineered to provide life indefinitely. They were programmed in the beginning to regenerate themselves, to replace old cells that had become ineffective or damaged so that life would not end. But something changed this; I was not shown exactly what the process was, but I understood that "death" had entered mortality in the Garden of Eden. I was shown that decisions there created conditions that make eternal life in mortality impossible.
I was shown that many of the illnesses of my life were the result of depression or feelings of not being loved. I saw that I had often yielded to negative "self-talk" such as "Oh, my aches and pains," "I am not loved," "Look at my sufferings," "I can't endure this," and more. Suddenly I saw the me, me, me in each of these statements. I saw that not only did I claim these negativisms by calling them mine. My body then lived a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy: "Woe is me," was translated in the body as "I am sick." I had never thought of this before, but now I saw how clearly I had been a part of the problem.
I understood that positive self-talk begins the healing process. Once we have identified the illness or problem, we need to start verbalizing its remedy. We need to remove thoughts of the illness from our minds and begin concentrating on its cure. Then we need to verbalize this cure, letting our words add to the power of our thoughts. This creates an excitement in the intelligences around us, and they then go into motion, working to heal us. I understood that this verbalization can best be done in prayer. If it is right that we be healed, God will then assist us in the healing process.
We are not to deny the presence of the illness or problem, we are simply to deny its power over our divine right to remove it. We are to live by faith, not by sight. Sight is involved with the cognitive, the analytical mind. It rationalizes and justifies. Faith is governed by the spirit. The spirit is emotional, accepting, and internalizes. And as with every other attribute, the way to gain faith is to practice the use of it. If we learn to use what we have, we will receive more. This is a spiritual law.
Developing faith is like planting seeds. Even if some of our seeds fall by the wayside, we will still receive some harvest. Any act of faith will bless us. And, the more proficient we become (and we will become proficient if we practice), the greater our harvest of faith will be. Everything produces after its own kind. This too is a spiritual law.
Now I was truly beginning to understand the power of the spirit over the body, and I saw that the spirit functions at a level most of us are not aware of. Of course I knew that my mind created my thoughts, and by body performed my actions, but the spirit had been a mystery to me. Now I understood that the spirit is a mystery to most people. I saw that it functions, generally without the mind even being aware of it. The spirit communicates with God, being the receptive device that receives knowledge and insight from him. It was important for me to understand this, and I envisioned that this would appear much like fluorescent light tube in our bodies. When the light is glowing, our core is filled with light and love; it is this energy that gives the body life and power. I saw also that the light could be diminished and the spirit weakened through negative experience--through lack of love, through violence, sexual abuse, or other damaging experiences. By weakening the spirit, these experiences also weaken the body. The body may not get sick, but it is more susceptible then, until the spirit is recharged. We can recharge our own spirits through serving others, having faith in God, and simply opening ourselves to positive energy through positive thoughts. We control it. The source of energy is God and is always there, but we must tune him in. We must accept the power of God if we want to enjoy the effects of it in our lives.
To my surprise I saw that most of us had selected the illnesses we would suffer, and for some, the illness that would end our lives. Sometimes healing does not come immediately, or at all, because of our need for growth. All experience is for our good, and sometimes it takes what we would consider a negative experience to help develop our spirits. We were very willing, even anxious, as spirits to accept all of our ailments, illnesses, and accidents here to help better ourselves spiritually. I understood that in the spirit world our earth time is meaningless. The pain we experience on earth is just a moment, just a split second of consciousness in the spirit world, and we are very willing to endure it. Our deaths are also often calculated to help us grow. When a person dies of cancer, for example, he will often experience a long, painful death that may give him opportunities for growth that he cannot get otherwise.
Under the guidance of the Savior I learned that it was important for me to accept all experience as potentially good. I needed to accept my purpose and station in life. I could take the negative things that had happened to me and try to overcome their effects. I could forgive my enemies, even love them, and thereby nullify any bad influence they may have had on me. I could seek good thoughts and kind words, and thus bring healing ointment to my own soul, as well as to others. I saw that I could begin to heal myself, spiritually first, then emotionally, mentally and physically. I saw that I could spare myself the corrosive effects of despair. I had a right to live fully.
I saw the evil in surrendering to one of Satan's greatest tools-my personal cycles of guilt and fear. I understood that I had to let go of the past. If I had broken laws or sinned, I needed to change my heart, forgive myself, and then move onward. If I had hurt someone, I needed to start loving them--honestly--and seek their forgiveness. If I had damaged my own spirit, I needed to approach God and feel his love again--his healing love. Repentance can be as easy as we make it - or as difficult. When we fall down, we need to get up, dust ourselves off, and get moving again. If we fall down again, even a million times, we still need to keep going; we're growing more than we think.
Because I knew that all creation begins with thoughts, I also knew that the creation of sin, and of guilt, and of despair, and of hope, and of love all start within us. All healing comes from within. All misery comes from within. We can create our own spiral of despair, or we can create a trampoline of happiness and attainment. Our thoughts have tremendous power.
We are like babies crawling around, trying to learn how to use the forces within us. They are powerful forces and are governed by laws that will protect us from ourselves. But as we grow and seek the positive all around us, even the laws themselves will be revealed. We will be given all that we are prepared to receive."
Kay's thoughts again: There is so much to learn from this book. I would recommend that you get it and read it. In no way do I want you to think that I believe that you intentionally created your disease. I believe that there are so many toxins (both physical and spiritual) in our current world today that even if you are aware of them, they are hard to avoid. We are so often too busy to realize the fast food junk or alcohol or sugar overload or toxins in our world that the we somehow believe we are being regulated by our government, which really are not, and that we are on our own to figure out what is good for us. Then we tend to believe that whatever we have created in health issues ( such as lung cancer from smoking as an example) can be resolved by our medical system. We need to take control of our own lives, our own health and our own happiness.
I hope you will consider the power of your mind and what you can do with it to help yourself heal. Your spouse or children or friends cannot do that for you, although they can love you and pray for you and help you in many, many ways. But you, the person with ALS, has to be the one to decide to heal and let the positive energies of the universe enter your life and bring you healing. Betty explained in her book how to do it.
If you fill your life with fear, anger, depression, frustration, and any other of the negative emotions, then no matter what supplements, therapies, treatments, etc., that you engage in, they will be of no effect until you fill your mind and body and heart with love, forgiveness, service to others, kindness, and faith in God. You have the power within yourself to do it. Kim and I both pray that you will.
Kay Cherry
April 2015
Understanding the dangers of Morphine
Dear PALS and Caregivers,
We received an email this month from the wife of one of our PALS in Texas. She shared an incredible story that needs to be shared as a voice of warning. Here is her story:
"I just met a new friend who came all the way from MA to meet me in person. We had been talking about how to heal ALS. Both the wife and husband believed they could heal his ALS. He was diagnosed for 3 years and did have eating and swallowing issues. Her husband just died rather unexpectedly of ALS which I know seems odd to say but I keep hearing the same exact story.
The ALSer is doing okay. They suddenly have a breathing issue or heart issue and go into the hospital. They are told nothing can be done. It's ALS and you can only expect things to get worse. Their loved one is struggling and of course no one wants them to suffer. They are offered Morphine. The ALSer is gone in a short time.
Each person who has told me this same story expressed how surprised they were that their spouse died just like that! They were healthy, doing good and then had a problem went to the hospital for and were told the SAME thing and each were given Morphine.
Now, well meaning people were kind enough to tell me early on (so I wouldn't worry) that if things got too bad, just ask for Morphine and that ends that. (Thanks folks for that pick me up).
This started a discussion with my family. I was trying to point out that we have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). Doctors and hospitals BELIEVE there is no way for these people to improve so I wanted to make clear my belief that doctors may tend to push the idea of ending things to save everyone from suffering and that is NOT my attitude if it's a simple case of phlegm or chest cold or pneumonia….that is not terminal ALS symptoms. There could be a chance that these people were not actually critically ill but rather that they had a complication that could have been solved if they had any other diagnosis other than ALS. My family believes I am in denial about this whole healing thing (including my husband with ALS) even though we have improved so much about his health. They feel I am being overly cynical about the medical world. But from our experience so far, the doctors have done us FAR more harm than good.
Now, I realize there are a million variables here.
My question is - Does anyone have knowledge or an opinion here on this subject? Are they giving these people Morphine because they really can't make it back from their ALS issue or are the doctors pushing stressed wives into saying Yes to Morphine to end things because they believe if you have a DMR that is what the ALSer wants.
The fact that 2 out of 3 of them repeatedly mentioned to me their shock at how quickly their husbands died as if they didn't realize that is what Morphine will do makes me wonder and of course there is no way to ask details. The others believed what doctors told them that it would be days of struggling and suffering and no one wants their loved one to go through that. There were no other options
I would like to hear what others have to say. Amy"
You can contact Amy if you would like to discuss the issues. Her email is [email protected]
Kay's opinion: If you add a very serious toxin to an already toxic body, the results are going to be death. We saw it when Kim had open-heart surgery before we knew he had ALS. He almost did not come out of anesthesia.
So the word of caution is: Don't let anyone talk you into Morphine as you now know the consequences.
Our prayers for your improved health and finding the right answers are with you
Kay Cherry
May 2015
Notes on the Power of belief, Liver/testing, Gut health, Mold, Stem cells
Dear PALS,
It seems that there are so many thing to add to the update today, that I hope I don't overwhelm you (like Kim says I have a tendency to do.)
(Insert note from Kim: I have an amazing wife. But more and more, we are becoming a unified fortress of believers and healers of ALS, and other neurological issues. Take the time to research and read every reference and link in this posting. I continue to defy traditional neurology, and will for many years to come. You all must believe you can too. God Bless!!!)
First I (Kay) wanted to share an article I found on Wake Up World. The title is "Scientific Proof that Negative Beliefs Harm Your Health." We have seen real evidence that that statement is very true. We believe that the negative - "I am sorry. You have ALS. Go home and prepare to die. There is nothing we can do." This is a line given by neurologists around the world is a key factor why so many PALS die of ALS so quickly. They believe that doctor because they are the professional and since the mind controls the body, they do exactly that. Our doctor spelled out exactly step by step how Kim would die. He said he did not want to give us false hope. He just didn't know that Kim's middle name should have been Persistence.
Here is the article:
http://wakeup-world.com/2015/02/22/scientific-proof-that-negative-beliefs-harm-your-health/?utm_campaign=Wake+Up+World+e-newsletter&utm_content=Latest+Headlines+inc.+Holograms+for+Freedom+%E2%80%93+Thousands+Protest+Spain%E2%80%99s+Gag+Laws+as+Holograms&utm_medium=email&utm_source=getresponse
Next: Deborah Wot, a scientist from Canada whose sister was recently diagnosed with ALS, is doing incredible studies on the liver and its association with ALS. Our liver is our major detoxing organ. If it is compromised by too much alcohol consumption, then it cannot function properly to do the detoxing. Then toxins build up in the body and “oops", we are in trouble. Some prescription medications can also be detrimental on the liver. An article I read years ago about a couple who came to the hospital (this was in 1977) with poisoning from mushrooms. A new doctor was assigned to watch them - not help them - just watch them die. He learned that Alpha Lipoic Acid could help the liver and got some and gave it to them. The couple lived and left the hospital well. The doctor was scolded by administration. (It is better to let someone die than follow orders?) After a couple more reprimands, he left the hospital and set up his own practice and has been helping people live instead of die. Alpha Lipoic Acid is something Kim gets every day.
So Deborah wrote this wonderful article on the liver and I am just going to paste it here:
“I am at the beginning of learning about liver testing and so I am writing about this experience. I sent a private message about a post I read on ALStdi:
Every single symptom of ALS matches stage 3 or 4 liver disease which can lead to pernicious anemia. Instead of guessing, ask your doctor to order a liver Sonogram. The same useless tests are repeated over and over again. If you do not order the correct test, you will never have the correct answer.
Neurologists do not look beyond the symptoms. That is not their expertise. Once the presence of liver disease is confirmed, a referral should be made to an endocrinologist and a gastro specialist.
All of the symptoms are secondary conditions due to liver deterioration. Google it. It's a match. 100% of those involved in a clinical assessment some years ago had some level of liver disease.
IT IS TREATABLE. Everyone involved in this discussion should immediately request the test and report findings on the forum. I have never met anyone who has had this test who did not have liver disease.
I failed to document what discussion I was reading, but liver problems are mentioned over and over with ALS so the first step is to get the correct tests ordered.
Ok, so, a liver sonogram is needed. And a further message advises other tests needed are:
Schilling Test
Homocysteine Test
Capacitance
C-Reactive Protein
The Schilling test shows problems with B12 absorption and these tests can also show problems with the bone marrow.
More on this as I figure it out.” Deborah Wot (From her facebook entry)
Next: Article from Dr. David Perlmutter on the importance of gut health and leaky gut. We knew it was important for Kim to get rid of gluten because he is gluten sensitive, but this and the next entry should convince you that all of us need to get rid of gluten. Great information about how our bodies are not just one piece of a puzzle. Fix one piece and everything is okay. No, all parts of our body work together, so it is a multifaceted task to fix all things before complete healing is accomplished.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/28/the-cure-for-brain-diseases-is-in-your-gut.html
Then just this morning, Deborah Wot added another very valuable article on what can heal the leaky gut. Here is the link: http://all-natural.com/catsclaw.html#effects
I had never heard of Dr. Amy Myers out of Austin Texas before, but her video is powerful as to how to heal the leaky gut syndrome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wxrTYLZjsE Valuable 7 minute video.
Next: Mold. Mold has been implicated in some ALS patients. One man in New York was living in a moldy apartment. His dog died of cancer and he got ALS. If you have mold in your lungs like Kim gets sometimes, the essential oil of cinnamon bark diffused into the air can kill the mold in the lungs. We have tried that for mold/fungus in Kim's lungs and it works. Earlier today I had another article on mold, a video by a professor that studies mold from Real Time Laboratories in Carrollton, TX. He did make reference in the video to those with ALS but I lost the video and don't know how to find it again. Following is another article on mold and the importance to get rid of it and treat it.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/09/05/mold-toxicity.aspx
Next: We are often asked about stem cell therapy. We know one lady in Texas that tried it to the tune of $15,000 and it did her no good. She tried the Deanna Protocol to no avail and was tested for parasites and told that the supplements would do no good until she got rid of the parasites, biofilm, etc. in her blood. She also told me she drank a million gallons of diet soda (Cke or Pepsi). All diet sodas contains the highly neurotoxic aspartame.
So we have no experience with stem cell therapy and ALS. However, there is a video by Dr. David Steenblock out of San Clemente, California that does stem cell therapy. Here is a video he produced. You will have to study that one further. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dH6DldYzCw
We do have a report from one of our PALS that had some stem cell therapy and that it was helpful. He went to a clinic in Mississippi. Just our opinion, you would have to clean up the issues that caused the ALS in the first place or the same issues will be recreated after the stem cell therapy.
New note from 2022: Further notes on stem cells is that it could be a temporary improvement. Stem cells are a very expensive treatment for a temporary relief. One man we met found amazing improvement initially, but the 2nd treatment only had small improvement and the 3rd one nearly none. Our take on this is that if the body is still full of toxins, the toxins will attack the new stem cells just like they did the old ones. Another man from Florida flew to Panama to get stem cells. After six month, he seemed to get no relief. We never heard from him again. Then at the Healing ALS conference, there was a very well-to-do man who flew around the world to get stem cells but it seemed to not heal him as he died in 2021.
Next: Just two more notes. There is a guy on the east coast whose daughter wrote an article about his recovery from ALS. I couldn’t find his name. Her name is Jaclyn Taylor. Here is her article:
http://www.topix.com/forum/health/als/TLHIJ3IKBITLLVBTP
We understand that the medical/research community is searching diligently for a cure or treatment for ALS. But like Dr. Perlmutter says in his above article, they are trying to find one thing and one cure. Our feeling is that there are many issues that come together to make ALS express itself. Kim’s were stress and poor sleep habits from work issues, exposure to environmental toxins, (everything from construction and manufacturing exposures, swimming in chlorinated water, shampoos, and pesticides to food additives,) amalgam dental work, etc.
Check out our new page on our web site called Check List. The task of finding ways to heal can be overwhelming. It is a good starting point, then continue to research and work on improving every facet of your life. It won't happen overnight, but then you didn't get ALS overnight. Be diligent in all healing modalities.
Our love and prayers are there for all of you.
Kay Cherry with Kim's approval
June 2015
Notes on liver healing, organic foods, L-serine, fungus/candida
There seems to be so much new information to share on ways to heal.
1 - Janice Greco submitted this article to ALS facebook on liver healing
http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/19-super-foods-naturally-cleanse-liver.html
2 - The importance or organic foods. See what is in non-organic strawberries. Kind of scary!
https://apathtohealth.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/toxic-conventional-strawberries/
3 - Here is a 10 minute video on how the proteins in the brain of an ALS person is tangled and how L-Serine can possibly be of help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jWi6WQQ9wo
4 - We were speaking with one of our PALS last week. He says that Dr. Steenblock thinks all people with ALS could have fungus issues. In our case, we knew early on that Kim had fungus issues and began addressing them with some supplements and diet. However, from what we have studied and with Kim's fungus issues showing up again, we hope we have found a way to better address it. Here are two articles in .pdf format that gives information on that.
I tried to attach the pdf documents but could not open them. So the following will give you that information:
What Does Candida Overgrowth Mean For My Health?
When you have candida overgrowth, the Candida Albicans yeast turns into a fungus. This fungus now settles itself into your tissue and a fungal colony quickly spreads…
The fungus causes harm and makes your life difficult because it feeds on sugars, and excretes mycotoxins into your blood stream as a result of its own digestive processes.
A systemic candida infection can drag on for months, even years if not addressed correctly making you miserable by causing a wide variety of symptoms, robbing you of your vitality, your well-being, and in extreme cases normal your daily life routine almost impossible.
As of 2014 we’ve helped over 18,000 people from all walks of life deal with both minor and some of the most unbelievably intense candida overgrowth situations, keep reading and find out how you can get Candida free as well, quickly, easily, without restrictive diets or dangerous treatments…
How Do You Know If You Have Candida Overgrowth?
A quick search on a medical website or wiki will show many symptoms believed to be connected to candida overgrowth, in fact there are thought to be over 100 different symptoms that can be expressed in someone with Candida.
Because of this, it would be very misleading to say “if you’ve got these symptoms, you’ve got Candida overgrowth”, it really varies.
Symptoms vary from person to person, and this may be because of diet, life-style choices, and also where the candida fungus is more prevalent in your body.
Typically, the initial stage of Candida overgrowth will often involve the gut, mouth, and urinary tract.
The most common symptoms believed to be related with candida overgrowth are:
· Thrush Sore Throat Bloating Gas Digestive Problems Ear Ache
If you believe you may have Candida and want to know for sure, the best way is to get tested at a facility that can provide such a test. Most health care professionals are unable and will avoid giving a diagnose of systemic candida overgrowth because it is difficult to give a 100% diagnosis, because the symptoms vary so much.
If you’re like many independent health conscious people, you’ll likely want to take matters into your own hands and start a candida cleanse. There are many approaches believed to cleanse candida out of the body.
However, before you plunge head-first into a candida cleanse, please consider the following, because it could save you a lot of suffering and years of frustration…
Can’t Seem To Beat Candida? Here’s why:
When you have candida overgrowth, Candida Albicans is now in its fungal form. It’s a fungus. And there’s one thing all fungus has in common.
A Chitin Layer.
Chitin is a very hard shell which protects and shields the fungus. Chitin is also found in the exoskeletons of many insects and crustaceans(crabs, lobsters, and prawns.)
Imagine the fungus is wearing a suit of armor that your immune system cannot punch through if it’s weak.
The fungus is protected as it has now left your gut and does not face the challenge of your gut bacteria keeping things in balance.
This protective chitin layer is what we believe makes the candida fungus so difficult to deal with, and why so many people experience great difficulty in ridding themselves of this burden. This is why if you’d like to get on the fast track to getting candida free, we recommend you study and try this approach, which has already worked for thousands of people…
How It Works… Our Approach: Deal With The Root Of The Problem,
Get It Done, and Get Your Life Back
5 - We have also heard of another doctors that has tested all of his ALS patients for Lyme disease and that all his patients had Lyme disease. We do not believe that Kim had Lyme disease, but many PALS may. Here is an article that discusses Lyme disease. Many doctors will try to get rid of it with very lengthy doses of antibiotics. But that destroys all bacteria in the body. Trying to heal from that assault can be another huge task. (And another thought is that if Lyme is a virus and not a bacteria, then antibiotics cannot resolve the issue.) We have a friend (without ALS) that found out he had Lyme disease. He and his wife use a lot of doTerra oils. He started putting the essential oil blend called Citrus Bliss and was able to get rid of his Lyme disease.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/28/why-lyme-disease-cases-are-spiking.html
In this world of ALS, I believe that we come to it each differently. We each have to find the things that are complicating the ALS issues and find ways to resolve them.
Our Prayers are with you. Kim and Kay Cherry (This update written by Kay and approved by Kim.)
A note from Kim
I am very fortunate that I have Kay to do all this research. For us PALS that have someone to do that, it takes a lot of pressure off of us. For those that have to do their own research, the commitment to do that research and finding the path to heal is part of the therapy.
Though I continue to heal, even today, 3½ years since my diagnosis, I can still have down days, and when I have one of those, that sneaky little feeling of fear sets in. I suspect every PALS, even those that are long time survivors, know that feeling. But it is critical that I do not let it last. For each of us, our strongest weapon is still the power of our own minds. It is what makes all the other things work.
I still try to walk the first nine holes (about 3½ miles) of my golf game often, at least once a week, but it is not always easy, and sometimes it takes the fun out of the game. But my goal is to regularly walk the full 18. That is why we continue to research, to try new things, and to move forward. I pray all our dear PALS friends do the same.
July 2015
Story of Steven Bishop reversal
Dear PALS and caregivers,
We had the opportunity of spending a couple of hours with Tish Tamowski and her husband Scott Douglas on Saturday, June 27 when we were traveling through Utah on our way to a family reunion. They are the ones putting together the book and documentary on healing ALS by natural means. As we were discussing the complicated methods for trying to heal ALS, Tish brought up a great point. Having ALS is like a puzzle. There are many things that can cause ALS and PALS come to the ALS table having gotten there from many sources. So it like a huge puzzle to figure out what may have caused those issues and make the corrections to eliminate them. Tish likened it to the alphabet. Twenty six letters (26 possible links to ALS with 26 or 26 multiples in finding a way to heal.) Some don't have mercury poisoning, some have not had concussions, some don't have alcohol issues which destroys the liver, some don't have Lyme Disease, etc., etc. Some have a very wide combination of issues and maybe one main issue that throws the illness over the top. But analyzing all possibilities and correcting them is the first step to healing. Tish noted that many professionals think they have the answer but only have one piece of the puzzle and for each PALS, it could take different pieces to heal.
We have just heard of a new supplement that may be of help to PALS. It is called Protandim. It is an herbal combination that seem to work well together. From my research, this is what I have found.
Protandim contains Milk Thistle, Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Green Tea and Turmeric. Each has different properties. Protandim claims to increase glutathione production by a very large percentage.
Milk Thistle is a liver tonic, protecting the liver and improving liver function.
Ashwagandha strengthens the immune system.
Bacopa is a brain tonic and increases brain function. It is a very strong antioxidant and is said to protect brain cells, reduce stress on the brain, and increase serotonin, thus relieving nervous exhaustion and anxiety.
Green Tea Extract is a great antioxidant and fights free radicals.
Turmeric is very anti-inflammatory.
One advantage of this supplement is that it is relatively inexpensive, about $50 for a one month supply. We realize that what we did would not be in the budget for many PALS. And the ingredients in Protandim may be available independently through various other sources for even much less or maybe more.
We have not used it because we are already set up with ozone therapies. But it may be possible that Protandim accomplishes much the same thing as our ozone protocol. The key is that you have to do the research on what you need and what you think will work for you.
Now for a Protandim story:
As you are aware if you have followed our site, Tish and Scott are working on a book and documentary about people that have healed ALS by using natural means. They became aware of Steven in Colorado that has made some amazing strides and interviewed him.
Steven was first diagnosed in about 2001, at age 35 and given the standard 3-5-years-to-live line. He and his wife had a 3 years old son. He said when he was first diagnosed that he was really depressed and angry. Losing his ability to work at his chosen field was like losing his identity. He took antidepressants for a period of time, but turned it around when he decided two things. First, he did not want his son to remember his dad only as this angry man. Secondly, he found a purpose in his life by getting involved with the Muscular Dystrophy foundation, serving and helping others. (Our opinion is that serving others helps you maybe more than it helps others.)
Steven's ALS was very slow progressing, but by 2008 he was using a wheelchair almost exclusively. He had cleaned up his diet and his doctor told him early on that he should take Vitamin C, Vitamin E and CoQ10, all good antioxidants which probably helped slow the progression of the disease a bit. In 2009, he learned of Protandim and began taking it daily. For the first year he saw no significant changes though symptoms seemed to continue progressing very slowly. Then one day, he realized there were some significant positive changes, which continued to build. He improved to the point that he turn back in his handicap sticker and his wheel chair. He said that was very liberating. He now walks almost normally, as evidenced in videos Scott took in mid-June of this year.
A note from Kim:
We are encouraged with what we see with Protandim, but the jury is still out. There are certainly the detractors and scam alarmist, but they say similar things about the protocol we believe has turned my ALS around. But we feel Protandim, or perhaps just the ingredients in Protandim that are readily available on Amazon and various other supplement sources, deserves a closer look.
I will say that after watching the above referenced video of Steven, I truly was impressed, and found myself believing that my improvement may well continue to the point of achieving a normal gait with no drop foot and no dragging, which are still significant issues for me.
Just as a disclaimer, let me say that I am married to the most wonderful, committed, kind, and loving woman in the whole world. Her biggest fault is that she is married to a somewhat cynical engineer that loves her dearly. Though this is one engineer that is beating the odds on ALS survival because of her commitment, we have neither the means nor the expertise to adequately research not only Protandim and other supplements/helps referenced in our site, but the protocols we have actually embraced in our own campaign to regain my full health and strength. But I will refer to the old cliché: "The proof is in the pudding!" In other words, they say "Where is the Science?" We say: "LOOK AT ME!"
We encourage every PALS and those in this fight to do your own research and study. Get a little guidance for the MAN UPSTAIRS. Figure out what you can do, and what you think will work, then go after it with 110% commitment.
May God continue to bless all our PALS!
New Note from 2022. Steven Bishop attended and spoke at the Healing ALS Conference in 2019 and was walking, talking and doing well.
August 2015
Book Conquering Lou Gehrig's Disease by Hannah Yoseph, MD
Dear PALS and caregivers,
I learned of a book just published in 2013 by Hannah Yoseph, MD. The title of the book is Conquering Lou Gehrig's Disease, The ALS Diet.
The title alone should spark interest. We are all looking for a "cure", but healing is probably the better route to go. As the body heals, the ALS heals.
Before I review what is in the book, I want to mention that I still believe that there are many pieces to the ALS puzzle. You have to believe you can heal. (Your mind controls the body. If you believe the doctors are all knowing and that they can't possibly be wrong, then stop reading right here and prepare for your funeral. If you want to live, then change your mind and believe that you can heal.) You have to resolve past emotional issues. You have to rid your life of emotional, spiritual, physical and environmental toxins. You can't put out a fire by adding gasoline. (All pharmaceuticals are toxic - gasoline to a fire.)
And you have to rid your body of all toxins through safe detox procedures.
So if you are working on those things, then you are headed in the right direction. Dr. Yoseph has some very valuable information for you on how to heal the mitochondria and myelin sheath. THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO HEAL.
Dr. Yoseph begins by talking about the importance of being PH balanced. I studied that several years ago when trying to figure out how to save my bones without toxic drugs. One thing Dr. Yoseph pointed out is that the blood has to remain at a PH balance of 7 (right in the middle of the acidic versus alkaline scale.) If the blood gets acidic from foods/drinks introduced into the body, the blood has to draw alkalinity from the tissues and organs and bones, because if the blood does not stay at PH 7, you die. The foods that alkalize the body are all fruits and vegetables (not cooked and processed and boxed and bottled, but real raw fruit and vegetables, raw nuts and seeds.) Everything else is acidic. Repeat: everything else is acidic. Disease and fungus and parasites, etc., absolutely love an acidic body because they have lots of food to eat. I have heard that disease cannot live in an alkaline body.
One of the foods that Dr. Joseph covers is soda pop. She says that soda pop is 10,000 times more acidic than your blood. So what does your body have to do to keep you alive every time you drink a soda? That is why sodas and tooth decay go hand in hand. Pretty scary!
Dr. Joseph discusses how fungus is so dangerous, how statin drugs (a fungus) can create ALS and what vitamins are critical for your recovery, but most of all she discusses the foods - YES, FOODS - that will heal your mitochondria and myelin sheath. For instance, apples (organic only, please) contain malic acid. Malic acid make glial cells which make the myelin sheath. Your myelin sheath is full of holes if you have ALS, and they need fixing if you want to get well.
Her book contains concrete steps you need to take to begin the healing process. Many of her suggestions are not things that we have done in earnest, but are beginning to incorporate. Kim has made a very significant turn-around (especially since he can breathe now when he could not breathe 3½ years ago, but he still has drop foot and balance issues. So onward and upward we go toward making even more improvement.
You really should order the book. I cannot even begin to share all the book has to offer.
Our prayers are with you.
A Note From Kim:
I was struggling a bit again when we returned to Idaho this spring. Not sure why, perhaps the elevation changes, but probably more due to the stress of getting my other small business up and going better. The issues seemed to be related mostly to breathing.
The solutions were to start lightly carbonating my drinking water again, since I had stopped in December of 2014, and I upped my ozone treatments to three times per week, instead of the one-time per week we had reverted to. My breathing is improved and I am doing fine. Kay also put me through a 45 day Candida Cleanse, which I think helped considerably, and which she will address later here-in.
I like to think the balance issue and the drop foot are also improving, but it is a slow process. My golf game seems to be stagnant, but I still play and frequently walk the front nine, which I would have a hard time doing without my push cart.
I do tend to run out of gas before I run out of daylight. So often I putter home pretty slowly. But all in all, life is good.
God Bless You All,
Kim & Kay
P.S. Kim mentioned that I needed to discuss the candida/fungus issue. Candida is one form of fungus. There is a better description of it at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candida_(fungus). We believe that Kim had fungus in his lungs even before his ALS diagnosis. When he was told he had fungus right after his diagnosis, we didn't really associate that with the issue in his lungs. Then in the summer of 2014, we had a 90th birthday party for my mother. I made him a gluten free carrot cake to take to the party (still loaded with sugars, but gluten free.) We came home with about 1/2 of the cake and froze it in small single serving containers. I thought it would last all summer, but it was gone in about a week. It was then that Kim's lung issues resurfaced again. (Clue that the fungus might be in his lung.) I diffused some essential oil of melaleuca into the air so he could breathe it into his lungs. The lung issues resolved in just a few days. Melaleuca is supposed to be good for candida/fungal issues.
Our trip in January did not allow us to take our refrigerated sauerkraut (a great probiotic) with us on the airplane. Before returning to Idaho, Kim again had another fungus issue. It required an antibiotic to clear it up. But there went all his good gut bacteria along with the bad. I put him back on the probiotics (and sauerkraut) like before, but didn't give him a big enough supply as other issues continued to surface through the spring and summer.
After some research, I found a web site called www.candidacleanser.com. There may be others that are just as effective, but this is the one we tried. I bought a three product package, CCWS, ZEOCO, and Em Pro probiotic. (It cost $175 and came from Thailand, so delivery took two weeks. (It is a product that could be repeated every year or so if needed.) The instructions are to take the CCWS starting at 8 AM with breakfast and a good fat. That pill is repeated every four hours with fat. The fat helps it to absorb. Then at 10 AM and every four hours afterward, you take the Zeoco. Although not completely explained, I believe the first pill was to kill the fungus and the second to absorb the debris from the first pill. You do this routine for 5 days and then take ten days off. Then repeat the whole thing two more times. The EmPro was to be taken at noon and 8 PM and could be continued through the 10 days off.
They do say that there can be some discomfort during the die-off period. Kim did have some minor issues similar to his January issues, but they eased off quite quickly. Near the end of the treatments, Kim did say that he felt better. He continues to take the Em Pro. We can say that it was hard to exactly follow their program. He did not always have the right pills to take at the right time or remember them exactly right, but it still seemed to be effective.
A PALS from California had visited Dr. David Steenblock in So. California who said that he believes that all PALS have fungus issues. Probably even those of us without ALS have fungus issues.
September 2015
David Atkinson healed his ALS & then helped others to heal
http://www.baar.com/atkinson.htm
Dear PALS,
We read an amazing book this month. It is titled Hope Springs Eternal, Surviving a Chronic Illness. It was written by David Atkinson. David was born in about 1931 and we understand that he passed away fairly recently.
Above is a link to an interview of David Atkinson discussing his ALS journey. It is not as comprehensive as his book but gives you a good feel for what he went through and how he healed. At one point in the book when he had been doing his therapies for about 6 months, he made the comment that he hadn't noticed any improvement, "but I failed to notice that I was still alive."
Healing ALS is not something that happens easily. We are conditioned to believe that we can go to the doctor, get a pill and be better in a few days. Healing ALS takes healing a lot of different things in our body. After David had made considerable improvement, he went to someone that he hoped would heal his inability to eat. In the book, he mentions that he does not know whether the specialist actually did something as he manipulated his neck and throat to help him eat or if just his giving David permission to eat may have released some kind of mental block in his brain. (Just a note here that when the doctors give you the diagnosis, that there is nothing they can do. It is very true that they can do nothing, but you can do something.) When David had been everywhere in the medical field to find something and then his daughter signed him up for a healing seminar, he finally thought, "Well, I have nothing to lose." You have your life to lose, if you continue to run to the doctors and let them tear down your spirits and will to live.
David had a formula for healing. It included prayer, spirituality, special therapies, giving of yourself to others and changing your diet. He said when he prayed, he did not asked to healed or cured, but rather asked God to help him find the means he needed to heal.
As I read his book, I wondered what it may have been that caused his ALS. In the link above, it says he was a football player, business man (which means a lot of mental stress), he had smoked cigars heavily for 23 years. Following that he had chronic infections , and used antibiotics a lot. So what I see is lots and lots of free radical production from physical and mental stress with probably no magnesium supplementation. The stress of smoking and then the destruction of the good gut bacteria from all the antibiotics. My next guess is that there was never a doctor that suggested a probiotic to heal the gut from all the antibiotics.
Our bodies were created with a great healing mechanism. We just need to give the proper tools and amazing things can happen.
Kay wrote the foregoing. I, the guy with the ALS, want to add a few insights.
The most important decision I made, at the most frightful time in my battle to live, was when I stormed out of my general practitioner's office, insulted because he would give no credence to my desire to implement alternative therapies to stop my downhill slide to an agonizing death. I told him that he was wrong in his evaluation of my chances, that I was going to beat this, and that he would not be seeing me again. I was not only disappointed in his attitude, I was downright mad. But it was the controlled anger that fueled my initial fight to heal.
We have talked to many PALS that feel they have caring traditional doctors that have their best interest in mind. That is good. I felt like most of my doctors thought I was an idiot for believing I could heal. But know this, that every one of us PALS that hope to defeat this monster ALS must take complete control of the WAR. We can and should seek counsel and especially inspiration from positive practitioners, spiritual leaders, and any other team members that are on our side. But we must be the captain of our team, and we must be engrossed in healing - heart and soul.
I will be eternally grateful for so many that have been a part of my success, especially my sweetheart, friend, and eternal companion, Kay. But I am still the one that had to believe. With God's help, I have done it. I pray every other PALS reading this can do likewise.
Kim
October 2015
Magnesium Threonate may cross the blood/ brain barrier
Dear PALS and Caregivers,
I have written about the power of magnesium before, but there is a new magnesium out that could have powerful implications for PALS. It is called magnesium threonate or magnesium L-threonate. It has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier and therefore impact the health of the brain. I just received an email newsletter for Dr. Mercola regarding the magnesium threonate so I am going to attach it here for your review. This newsletter is kind of an ad for his brand of magnesium threonate. (That article is no longer available.) I found mine at www.swansonvitamins.com and have been giving them to Kim for just a couple of weeks, so it is too early to determine results.
Another thought is that Dr. Carolyn Dean says in her book, The Magnesium Miracle, is that the magnesium threonate is not much better that other form of magnesium, so it is for your to study and determine what is best for you.
Kim and I believe that the power of the mind has the most major role in helping your body to heal so the ALS can heal. Part of that is realizing that there are food choices, supplements, natural therapies that help your body heal. We heard the doctor's line, "Oh, sorry but you have ALS. There is nothing you can do but one FDA approved drug. We can help you when you are ready for hospice." There is no mention of diet or natural things that the good Lord gave us if we can only learn how to use them. Doctors are only trained in drugs and covering symptoms. Dr. David Perlmutter says in his book, the Better Brain Book, that the ALS drug really causes more harm and has no real value. Doctors may be good at diagnosing and emergency care, but healing is not really their art (in our humble opinion). Dr. Rowan in California calls our health "care" system, a "disease maintenance system."
So perhaps your goal should be to learn what health issues you have. Certainly it is very possible that you don't just have ALS, but a diseased liver that cannot remove toxins from your body, or fungus issues, or gluten sensitivity, or kidney problems, or high levels of mercury poisoning or gut issues or diet soft drink damage, etc. Each issue needs to be addressed and corrected.
Knowing that there is a way to accomplish the task is so empowering. Seek the Lord's guidance in how you can heal.
We pray for your empowerment.
Kim and Kay Cherry
November 2015
Foods that detox the liver
We have learned that gluten from wheat and other grains forms a hard plaque in the liver and cuts into the liver's ability to detox the body. Just stopping the consumption of gluten, does not get rid of the plaque. Someone with ALS absolutely has to be able to detox. Here is an article on 15 ways to detox the liver.
15 Tips for Detoxing Your Liver
From www.healthdietbase.com
The liver is an essential organ that helps to keep the human body free of toxins. It performs important functions in almost every part of your body, from balancing your cholesterol levels to filtering your blood. Painkillers, prescription medications, alcohol, and other toxins can overload the liver and reduce its ability to function. Detoxing your liver helps to flush out toxins and improve the health of your liver. Here are 15 tips for detoxing your liver.
1. Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a plant that has been used for centuries to treat diseases of the liver and gall bladder. It’s been used by Europeans to heal various liver-related ailments as far back as 2,000 years ago! The plant got its name from the milky fluid that oozes from the leaves when they are crushed.
One of milk thistle’s active compounds is called, silymarin, a potent antioxidant that is several times more effective than vitamin C and vitamin E. It is used to reduce inflammation, inhibit the production of toxins, and prevent further damage to the liver. Of all the silymarins found in milk thistle, silybin has been found to be the most effective in the promotion of liver health. This is why milk thistle supplements contain high doses of silybin.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments and illnesses. It is thought to improve the function of the stomach, colon, liver, bladder, and kidneys. Make your own apple cider vinegar by crushing some fresh apples and filtering the liquid, before allowing it to cure into vinegar. Alternatively, you can buy bottled apple cider vinegar at most health food stores and supermarkets. Use the vinegar to make a warm cleansing drink for your liver by adding 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of honey to a cup of warm water.
Here’s another recipe you might want to try. You will need:
While apple cider vinegar is usually easy and safe to use, there might be some things you’ll want to keep in mind. Since undiluted apple cider vinegar can be harmful to the esophagus and other parts of the digestive tract, you’ll want to be sure to dilute the vinegar. Try to keep your apple cider consumption to under eight ounces a day as anything over that could potentially decrease your potassium levels. Also, if you are allergic to apples, you will not want to use apple cider vinegar to detoxify your liver.
If you have been prescribed certain medications, especially drugs like cardiac glycosides, diuretics, insulin laxatives, and diabetes or blood pressure medications, you will want to be careful when using apple cider vinegar for detoxification. If you are taking these types of medications, it is always a good idea to check with your health care provide before beginning a regimen that could potentially have harmful effects. Even though apple cider vinegar is made from natural sources, it could still interfere with these types of medications.
3. Garlic
Garlic contains nutrients and Allicin, a compound that helps to aid the process of liver detoxification. Garlic helps to flush heavy metals, nitrogen, and excess hormones from the liver. Cooking garlic can reduce the potency of the nutrients, but the strong flavour of raw garlic can be off-putting for many people. One solution is to try taking garlic capsules, preferably 2-3 times a day while you are performing your liver detox.
When ingesting the garlic capsules, it is best that they are coated so they have a less chance of upsetting your stomach. If your stomach still gets upset when taking a capsule, you can try to take an antacid along with it.
Garlic which is an herb, is normally completely fine for you to use in your detoxification process. However, as with other herbs, there may be some things to keep in mind when using garlic. Although it is not very common, some people have been known to have had an allergic reaction to garlic.
You might want to double check with your health care provider if you are taking certain medications especially for tuberculosis (TB) or HIV/AIDS as garlic can interfere with the absorption of certain kinds of medications specifically for these illnesses. Also for women taking birth control pills, garlic may actually decrease the effectiveness of the pill.
4. Grapefruit seed extract
Grapefruit seed extract contains powerful antioxidants that help to flush toxins from the body, including the liver. Grapefruit seed extract can be expensive, but you only need a few drops 2-3 times a day. If you don’t want to spend money on grapefruit seed extract, try eating a couple of whole grapefruits every day during your liver detox. The results may not be as powerful as using the extract, but grapefruits contain antioxidants that can help to cleanse your liver.
Grapefruit seed extract is processed from grapefruit seeds and pulp and is a byproduct of producing grapefruit juice. In order to reduce the acidity and bitterness of grapefruit juice and extract, vegetable glycerin is added to the final product.
Grapefruit has long been known to interfere with certain medications so it is good to use caution when taking grapefruit seed extract in the detoxification process of your liver. Grapefruit juice has been known to decrease how quickly certain medications are broken down by the liver which can actually increase the side effects of certain medications. You’ll want to be especially cautious if you are taking medications for the following conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction and also if you are taking any kinds of sedatives. Other kinds of medications that may have an altered effect when taken with grapefruit are blood thinners such as Coumadin and also medications that contain caffeine.
5. Dandelion Root
Dandelions are flowering weeds with a wide range of medicinal uses. The roots and leaves of dandelion plants have long been used to make herbal remedies, tinctures and tonics to help cleanse the liver, improve digestion and purify the blood. Dandelions are packed with important nutrients, including calcium, potassium and a variety of vitamins. Dandelion root contains properties that increase the production of bile, which helps to eliminate toxins from the liver.
Dandelion root is available as a tea, tincture, supplement and powdered extract. You can also buy dried dandelion root, which can be prepared in a similar way to fresh coffee. As dandelion root is a powerful diuretic, you must drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. Dandelion root can also produce a mild laxative effect, making it ideal for flushing out your whole system.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular spice that gives curried dishes their striking yellow color. Turmeric is also commonly used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat a wide range of health conditions including coughs, colds, viruses, infections, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, high cholesterol levels, excess mucous, nasal congestion, and various skin complaints. Turmeric contains powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, as well as several health-enhancing nutrients including iron, copper, potassium, manganese, vitamin B6 and fiber. These powerful properties combine to improve liver function, protect and regenerate liver tissue, aid digestion, reduce digestive gas, reduce cholesterol, boost the immune system, improve circulation, and purify the blood.
Turmeric is also an effective aid for detoxing the liver. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have made it to this list! Curcumin, the very thing that gives turmeric its bright yellow color, is a phytochemical responsible for its detoxifying effects. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that curcumin stimulates the gallbladder to produce bile, which helps to eliminate liver toxins and repair damaged liver cells. Liver detox is made more effective when turmeric is combined with ginger, which helps to boost circulation and reduce congestion.
Turmeric is available as a supplement, extract, or tea. To make turmeric tea, you need:
What makes this tea great is that many of ingredients aid in liver detoxification. Black pepper and coconut milk allow the body to better absorb the turmeric. Cinnamon is a known anti-inflammatory. And lastly, raw honey is rich in antioxidants that promote digestive health.
7. Lemon
Lemons are packed with vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals, including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, phosphorous, thiamin, riboflavin, copper, calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. The juice, fruit, and peel of lemons are often used in natural remedies and herbal infusions due to their potent antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Lemon is commonly used to treat sore throats, tickly coughs, fever, colds, blocked sinuses, indigestion, constipation, tinnitus, and rheumatism. Lemon is also thought to help prevent kidney stones, high blood pressure, and chronic stomach problems.
Lemons contain powerful antioxidants, known as bioflavonoids, which help to cleanse the liver, purify the blood, and strengthen the immune system. Adding the juice of half a lemon to a cup of warm or cold water gives you a cleansing drink to help flush toxins from your liver and digestive system. Have a glass of this every day to keep your liver happy. Below is a more effective way of preparing lemon water for liver detoxification. For this you will need:
Alternatively, you can buy lemon tea or dried lemons to make a refreshing drink.
8. Green Tea
Lauded as one of the world’s healthiest beverages by both nutritionists and research scientists, green tea is also helpful for detoxing the liver. Green tea originated in China and has long been known in Asia for its many health benefits. Green tea comes from the leaves of the plant called Camellia sinensis. The leaves of the plant are not fermented when being made into green tea which leaves the antioxidant chemicals called polyphenols completely intact. Because green tea is one of the least processed beverages, all of its amazing antioxidants called catechins are nearly poured right into your cup. These catechins which are crucial components when it comes to protecting cells from damage, are also helpful in assisting the liver with the detoxification process.
When you use green tea to detoxify your liver, it is recommended that you drink four to five cups a day. Some people don’t like the taste of green tea and if you still want to experience the powerful detoxification effects of the beverage, you can opt for capsules or liquid supplements. Something to keep in mind regarding green tea is that it does contain caffeine. If you are trying to detox your body from caffeine, you can try drinking decaffeinated green tea. Also, if you take the capsules or supplements, they contain caffeine. It is always best to get the capsules or supplements from a reputable source and you might want to check with your health care provider to ensure they are safe for you to take.
9. Avocados
Considered a super-food, avocados are rich in nutrients and help the body to produce a compound called glutathione which is necessary for the liver to get rid of harmful toxins in the body. If you have chronic liver disease, your body is probably low on glutathione. Eating avocados can help increase this important compound and help to heal the liver.
Avocados, which are technically a fruit since they grow on a tree and reproduce with a seed, may get a bad rap at times because of their high fat content. However, the fat contained in avocados is monounsaturated and is the healthy fat good for maintaining health cholesterol levels. Avocados also provide about 20 vitamins and minerals that are essential for optimum health. If you consume avocados, you are also helping your body to absorb fat-soluble nutrients. Avocados are a great source of Vitamin C and Vitamin E and antioxidants that help to neutralize free radicals in the liver which can further protect liver cells and keep this vital organ free from harm.
Avocados are eaten in a variety of ways and can replace foods that aren’t so good for you like mayonnaise, sour cream and butter. They taste great on sandwiches, in salads or topped with fresh salsa. Whether you mash them, whip them, slice or dice them, avocados are a great food to eat during the liver detoxification process. They are one food you will want to keep on eating after your detox to help protect and heal the liver.
10. Cabbage
Eating cabbage, which is considered one of the world’s healthiest foods, contains glucosinolate that helps to stimulate the activation of important detoxifying enzymes known to flush out toxins from the liver. There are many foods in the cabbage family including Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower that can also be good when detoxing the liver. These foods contain sulfur which is known as a cleansing mineral. More importantly, cabbage and the other foods in its family are full of sulfur-containing amino acids. These amino acids, including taurine, methionine and cysteine are essential when it comes to clearing the pathways during a liver detox. If you are eating a lot of cabbage and other vegetables that contain sulfur, you may want to note that eating a lot of fruit might cancel out those benefits since eating fruit can interfere with sulfur metabolism.
While a variety of cabbage can be eaten during a liver detox, only green cabbage contains high amounts of chlorophyll which is known to be important for strengthening the liver. Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable which also contains Vitamin K, Vitamin C, folate and Omega 3 fatty acids which are all beneficial for optimum health. In order to get the best benefit, be sure to eat organic, raw cabbage. You can also drink raw cabbage juice as a way to detox your liver. If you juice the cabbage yourself, you will want to be sure to drink the juice right away or else it will lose pertinent vitamin content.
11. Walnuts
You might not think of eating nuts as a way to help detox your liver but they contain high density lipoproteins that help to protect against fatty liver disease. These lipoproteins also reduce levels of C-reactive protein that helps to lower inflammation in the liver. This is important because inflammation of the liver is often a precursor to liver damage.
Some nuts, especially walnuts, contain large amounts of the amino acid known as arginine which help to rid the liver of harmful toxins like ammonia. Walnuts also contain high amounts of glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids which are both necessary for effectively detoxifying the liver. One important thing to remember about eating walnuts during a detox is that you want to chew them well, turning them into liquid before swallowing. Because walnuts are a food with low levels of toxicity, extracts from the hulls of walnuts are often used in special formulas made to cleanse the liver from toxins. Protein, antioxidants and healthy unsaturated fats can also be found in walnuts and are all essential for liver health and function. Unsaturated fats are especially important as they help to protect the liver against fat accumulation and aid in building healthy cell membranes around liver cells.
Other nuts that can be healthy for the liver include Brazil nuts, pecans and almonds. Peanuts are usually not a good food when it comes to liver health. When eating nuts for health benefits, make sure to only eat them unsalted and in their rawest form.
12. Seaweed
If you think seaweed is strictly reserved for dieters or health nuts, then you will never look at this superfood the same way again. Not only is seaweed high in nutrients and low in calories, it also contains hardcore detox properties that cleanses the liver. In fact, a study from McGill University concluded that seaweed is an effective detox agent against radioactive chemicals like strontium. Seaweed, kelp, in particular, contains a high concentration of algin, which helps rid the body of radioactive particles in the body.
Of course, unless you live near a melted down nuclear power plant, seaweed’s radioactive detox properties is useless. But the goodness of seaweed doesn’t stop there. Seaweed is also helps flush out heavy metals like cadmium and lead in the body. Green seaweed is rich in chlorophyll, one of nature’s most potent detoxifier. Chlorophyll contains a special kind of fiber that binds and flushes out toxic chemicals from the body, especially unwanted substances in the liver. To round up, seaweed is the only food that contains the broadest range of minerals, around 10 or 20 times more than any vegetable.
But before you go and start hoarding seaweed from the local grocer, make sure you’re getting the highest quality seaweed from a reputable source so you can take full advantage of its detoxifying properties.
13. Onions
The liver is without a doubt one of the most abused organs in the body. The liver filters out all the unwanted substances in the body so if you’re serious about taking care of it, then you might want to start adding more onions to your diet. You see, apart from containing a long list of essential vitamins and minerals that protect the body from free radicals, onions also contains sulphur, a compound that not only purifies the liver from toxic chemicals and environmental toxins, but also helps flush out a wide range of poisons ranging from pesticides to alcohol.
Onions are also one of the best sources of anticancer compounds including phenolics and flavonoids. Research shows that shallots, yellow onion, and Northern red onions inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the body. Onions are believed to cut the risks of developing colon and liver cancer. It also contains a higher level of special antioxidants that protect the body from certain types of cancers. That said, not all onions offer the same level of anticancer and liver-detoxifying properties. Western Yellow onions contain 11 times more antioxidants than the Western White so it’s important to research which varieties offer the highest anticancer properties.
There are several ways to incorporate onions into your diet. Onions are quite versatile and can be a part of any meal. You can caramelize them in low to medium heat and add them to omelets, salads, sandwiches, and pretty much any vegetable ditch. Chopped raw onions can be combined with tomatoes, cucumber, and toasted pita bread to create a Mediterranean salad. Don’t forget to drizzle it with olive oil and lemon juice! You can also make an Italian salad by mixing sliced onions, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. Finish it off by drizzling it with olive oil. Maximize the detoxifying properties of onions by using garlic-infused olive oils when preparing salads.
14. Artichoke
Another of nature’s heavy-duty liver detoxifier is artichoke. Artichoke is known to boost bile production in the liver. This in turn helps normalize health and digestive function and prevent the development of certain types of cancer.
Artichoke as a liver-friendly detoxifier is actually old news. In Europe, most doctors prescribe artichoke extracts to those suffering from liver-related diseases since the 18th century. Most holistic practitioners are also turning to artichoke to cleanse the liver from toxic chemicals.
Recent studies prove the benefits of artichoke on liver health. In 2010, a study featured in the Biological Trace Element Research links consumption of artichoke leaf extract with reduced fat and cholesterol levels in liver. An earlier study that appeared in Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology shows that consuming artichoke extract before being exposed to liver-damaging toxins prevent injury to the liver. An Italian research published in Nutrition and Cancer revealed that artichoke extract demonstrated a capability to protect liver cells from damage, mainly due to their antioxidant effects. They also discovered that artichoke extract prevented the growth of cancerous cells in the liver.
Artichoke belongs to the milk thistle family. Apart from being a hardcore liver detoxifier, artichoke also helps stabilize blood sugar levels and is rich in phelonic acid compound known as cynarin. Cynarin is believed to be responsible for artichoke’s cholagogue and choleretic properties. Cholagogue is a substance that promotes the discharge of bile from the system while choleretic stimulates the liver’s bile production.
Cholagogue and choleretic are extremely important in the overall health of the liver. How? People suffering from liver problems tend to excrete inadequate amounts of bile and most times, the bile is not properly transported to the gallbladder. This causes an increased risk of liver damage. By adding more artichoke to your diet, you supply the body with helpful compounds that repairs, reinvigorate and detoxifies the liver.
15. Fennel and Fennel Seeds
Fennel for better liver health? You better believe it! Fennel and fennel seeds are not only high in essential vitamins, minerals and fiber, they are also used traditionally to detox the liver from harmful chemicals.
Fennel is used to treat a wide range of health problems ranging from a simple case of indigestion to chronic flatulence. It also helps dissolve kidney stones and neutralize uric acid in the tissues, making it a great herbal treatment for those suffering from gout or arthritis. This carminative herb helps aid in removing mucus and phlegm buildup in the lungs, and even removes mucus from the intestinal tract. It contains natural cleansing properties for the colon, liver, and gallbladder. It’s one hardworking superfood if we ever saw one!
Fennel seeds, on the other hand, have been used for decades to treat a wide range of liver diseases. In fact, fennel seeds are often taken as tea because it helps disengage any blockages in the liver, spleen, and biliary bladder. Fennel seeds are not only potent liver detoxifiers but they also dissolve kidney stones.
Fennel contain a multitude of phytonutrients that give it its antioxidant properties. Perhaps the most important of these when it comes to liver health is anethole. Anethole has been shown in many studies to prevent cancer and protect the liver from injury. The fennel bulb, which is rich in fiber, can decrease cholesterol levels and removes cancer-causing toxins from the colon, which reduces your risk for colon cancer.
Fennel and fennel tea are used to treat jaundice and reverse the ill effects of alcohol consumption on the liver. And to wrap up the amazing, wonderful nutritional value of fennel and fennel seeds, they prevent water retention and improve the body’s metabolic rate leading to… you guessed it – weight loss!
You can use all parts of the fennel including its base, stalk, and leaves to detoxify your liver. Here are some ideas on how to prepare it:
December 2015
Service to others could increase your life span
I (Kay) think during the month of December, we all are more giving and generous than other months of the year. In our church, we are taught the importance and power of service throughout our lives. We have the opportunity to serve our church members on a regular basis and encouraged to serve in our community.
So what does that have to do with ALS? Within a year and a half of Kim's diagnosis, he was so compelled to help others try to beat this disease, that we put together this web site. (We could also say he was angry that we were learning that doctors around the world were telling PALS, "You have ALS, go home and prepare to die;" and that no medical professional seemed to care that he was getting better and better or had any interest in what he had done to get better.) He was even banned from ALSForum.com for trying to give hope to other PALS. We hope and pray every day that we can give others the hope and the emotional power to work to heal ALS. It is in that very act of trying to help others, that we are also helped.
A powerful example of giving to others is Eric Edney. Although he passed away in January of this year after having ALS for over 20 years (and dying of complications of a stroke and heart attack), he spent those 20 years helping others find ways to heal. He wrote a book, actually two books. He kept up his website and posted an update every month for years. There were things he could not do, but he answered hundreds of emails, even some to us and passed out encouragement wherever he could. We had contact with a lady (and her husband) in the LA area who was diagnosed with ALS. She was having dental work done and was in the waiting room with Eric Edney and spoke with him. He gave her such encouragement that she came away with renewed hope and determination. Something came up and her daughter took her back to the neurologist. We have no idea exactly what the doc said, but from that time forward, she could do nothing but cry and be depressed. She was doing many, many therapies, ours and Eric Edney's, the Deanna Protocol. But she died in the spring of 2014. All the therapies in the world are of no value, unless you have PMA (Erics's term for positive mental attitude.) The reality is that when you are sad, depressed, angry, self-centered, any or all negative emotions, your body cannot take up nutrition. Eric was serving and we believe it extended his life.
Another example: I wrote recently about David Atkinson after reading his book. After he healed, he began getting requests to help others heal from ALS as he had. He spent the majority of the rest of his life serving others, traveling to different places and training others in what he had done to heal. Because the ALS took away his ability to make a living, he would ask the people who wanted his help to pay for his transportation and food and housing expenses. His wife did work but they also had a young daughter to raise. At one time, he tried to go back to work, but his symptoms started returning. But in selflessly serving others, they did not.
I have also written about Steven from Colorado. His was a very slow progressing ALS. After a period of self-pity and anti-depressants, he decided he did not want his young son to only remember an angry old man as a dad. He began helping Jerry Lewis with the Muscular Dystrophy telethons that were so well know years ago. Here is another example of service: Jerry Lewis called Steven every week for a whole year to see how he was doing.
Evy McDonald was a nurse when she was diagnosed with ALS. She lost everything and a friend gave her a room to stay in while she was supposed to die. Instead she healed her own self-image and in the process, her body. She became a minister so she could serve others full time.
Steven Shackle was probably the first to put up a website on healing ALS. He has served tirelessly to help others. His website is full of valuable information. As an editor, radio commentator, and a journalist, he edited Eric Edney's first book.
There is a guy in central Texas that healed his ALS and helped hundreds of others do the same. We are certain that there are many, many others that have found the blessing of serving others; we just don't know about them.
So the message here is what can you do to serve others? We feel that our Heavenly Father sent us all here with a mission to fulfill. Is your ALS a message that you need to find ways to serve others more fully or find a way to be less selfish and give of the blessings of hope and faith to others? We don't know your story, but believe with all of our hearts that if we serve our fellow man (all God's children) that blessings will be returned to us in our lives.
In cleaning out the house to get ready to come south for the winter, I came across a paper that had a note written on it. "Christmas is not about presents. It is about His presence." We feel very strongly the presence that the Savior has been in our lives even more significantly the last few years, as He has helped us find ways to heal. We also feel that He has given us a mission to help others find ways to heal. Our prayers are with you that you will have a wonderful Christmas season and that you may feel His presence in your life.
Sending Christ's Blessings from Yuma, Arizona,
Kim and Kay Cherry
2015 Updates
Jan - What not to eat and the power of the mind
Feb - Health Review from Kim
Mar - Review of book Embraced by the Light by Betty Eadie about the power we have within us.
Apr - Understanding the dangers of Morphine
May - Notes on the Power of belief, Liver/testing, Gut health, Mold, Stem cells
June - Notes on liver healing, organic foods, L-serine, fungus/candida
July - Story of Steven Bishop reversal
Aug - Book Conquering Lou Gehrig's Disease by Hannah Yoseph, MD
Sep - David Atkinson healed his ALS & then helped others to heal
Oct - Magnesium Threonate may cross the blood/ brain barrier
Nov - Foods that detox the liver
Dec - Service to others increases your life span
January 2015
What not to eat and the power of the mind
Dear PALS,
The new year is just beginning. Time for resolutions. What resolutions should a person with ALS make? We have shared what we eat, but what about what we don't eat.
What not to consume:
Soda pop! It has zero food value and is loaded with chemicals. Diet sodas contain aspartame, which is a very dangerous neurotoxin. Dr. Yoseph points out the soda pop is 10,000 times more acidic than you blood. Your blood has to stay right a basic or you die, so it goes on a search for alkalinity in your body - organs, bones, teeth, tissue. Anything to try to keep you alive.
Alcohol! Alcohol causes liver dysfunction. The job of your liver is to detox your body. If your liver is not working, then it cannot detox. No matter the route you took to get ALS, detoxing through a healthy liver is very important. Another factor of alcohol is that it deletes your magnesium, a critical component in healing ALS.
Drugs! Over the counter and prescription are all toxic. We and others believe statin drugs can cause ALS. Statin drugs are prescribed to lower cholesterol. Yet your brain is mostly cholesterol, and lowering it too much means you don't have a brain. Diet changes should help with overly high cholesterol. Actually adequate magnesium will balance cholesterol naturally. Another statin issue is that statin drugs delete or damage your glia cells. Glia cells make myelin sheath (the protective coating around the nerves). You need glia cells to restore the myelin sheath.
My opinion: the medical field keeps lowering the safe level for cholesterol so they can sell more drugs. See www.spacedoc.com for a professional medical opinion by Dr. Graveline.
Fast foods! Here is my opinion again - avoid it like a plague. The foods are created to make a profit, not to nourish their customers.
Processed foods. Bread, pasta, crackers, ice cream, tortillas, corn chips, boxed and packaged foods, etc., etc. Read the labels. If you can't pronounce the ingredients, you probably should not eat it. The processed foods of today are so loaded with chemicals that it is amazing we even allow them on the market. But the food producers add the MSG and the aspartame, etc., to make them taste good. They are adding something like 800 new chemicals to our foods per year. That is downright scary. READ THE LABELS! Adam and Eve had no Spagettios bushes or hamburger helper trees. Eat real food. On some of these (Ice Cream and very limited chips and light treats) Kim cheats a little once in a while because of his "weakness of the flesh" as he says. Just use common sense.
We go out to dinner once or twice a week. We try to select our meals carefully. But if you need an occasional treat, don't feel guilty. Just make it only occasional.
Next Subject - The Power of Your Mind
I was given a book by Dr. Bernard Lown, a cardiologist. The name of the book is "The Lost Art of Healing." It is really more of a book for doctor to doctor rather than doctor to patient. However, he discusses at length the importance of treating the patient as a person, not just a diagnosis, of taking detailed histories, and of being very optimistic instead of handing out death sentences.
A couple of sad instances he tells in the book. A woman was in the hospital for a heart issues, nothing serious. Her doctor came in the room with some interns, Dr. Lown being one of them. Her doctor referred to her has having TS and they made several references to other heart conditions. They all left the room, but Dr. Lown noticed the woman was in great distress. He stayed with her and talked to her. She thought TS meant terminal situation, not the medical term it stands for. Dr. Lown tried all he could do the change her mind. He called her doctor and was told that he would come see her when he finished his rounds at 7 PM. But her doctor was too late. She died before he got there. Nothing was wrong with her heart. Her belief that she was dying killed her.
In another instance, Dr. Lown read of an experiment in India where a young man was sentenced to die. Prison officials allowed a Hindu physician to conduct an experiment, so instead of the scheduled hanging, they told the prisoner he would be bled to death instead of hanging. He was told it would take longer but would be painless. They laid him on a bed and blindfolded him. They scratched his skin on each limb. What he could not see was that they placed vessels of water on each corner of the bed and began a slow drip of water. When the water from the vessels finished dripping, the man appeared to have fainted. But they discovered he was dead. He was a healthy young man and had not lost one drop of blood.
Dr. Lown also gives many instances of people who have lived far beyond what he thought was possible for their health conditions, sometimes for many, many years.
So my point is don't let the negative prognosis of ALS given by a medical specialist that you may believe to be very wise, take away your ability and desire to live. We believe there are many things that can help heal ALS. The biggest tool in our arsenal being the power of our minds. Neurologists around the world are taught to say, "I am sorry. You have ALS. You have 3-5 years to live, or, as in Kim's case, 1 year to live. There is nothing we can do except prescribe one drug." They fail to tell us that some PALS live for many years. Perhaps if the doctors were taught the value of eliminating toxins instead of adding more, all our life spans would be significantly improved.
Healing starts with believing you can get well and that you are not going to let ALS get in your way. You will have to study and learn - It's like getting a master's degree in holistic medicine.
Put your faith in God, and he will guide you to what will help you heal We have just celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. When he was on the earth, he healed the sick. He healed all ten lepers not just the one that would show him gratitude. He can bring healing into your life as well.
A Final Note From Kim:
We appreciate all our PALS and the friendships we have with you. I continue to do quite well. My upper neuron issues have healed to the point that I no longer have to carbonated my drinking water, which is huge!
We are flying to the Las Vegas area next month to play in a golf tournament with some friends from Idaho. I hate to confess that I most likely will be the worst golfer in the bunch. But the fact that I am still playing is a testament to my sweet wife and her tenacity to help me heal. You really must believe you too can heal. And find a way to keep doing the things you love, even if you can't do them as well as you once did. That in itself will help to promote healing.
February 2015
Health review from Kim
Hello, all my fellow PALS. This is Kim, and I decided it was a good time to add a personal note to our site.
Thursday January 22, 2015 was our 38th month anniversary of that sweet little chat we had with my neurologist. It was just a few days later that we sat with my primary care physician, and he told me I could expect possibly another year, but there was no way I would see two. So I celebrated this "anniversary" by playing in a three day golf tournament at the Primm Valley Golf Resort in Nevada. I knew I wouldn't win anything unless they had a category for PALS. My goal was to not shoot the highest score of the whole tournament. But whether I broke 90 (my goal) or shot 110 (more likely), I am playing golf. I ended up not shooting the highest score of my foursome any of the three rounds on very challenging courses, and actually shot 45 on my last nine holes. And I fully expect to be playing for many years to come. The fact that my friends invited me to join them, knowing my game is not up to "par", thrilled me.
I am not yet completely healed of ALS, but I continue to make progress. My upper body strength, especially my arms and hands, are better than they have been in the last five or six years. I still have considerable issues with my feet and my balance, and that embarrassing "drop foot." But we continue many of the therapies, most critically the diet and supplements and oxidative theapies. I have seen remarkable improvement in my ability to move my toes (Kay thinks primarily because I have been rubbing coconut oil on the bottom of my feet for about three months), which are still curled (hammer toed), but perhaps not as bad. I am close to being able to stand straight and lift my heels off the floor, something I could not begin to do two years ago. Isn't it amazing how all these little things tend to take on so much more significance for us PALS?
Three years ago, it was almost more than I could do to get from the door or a restaurant in our Idaho winter, to our car parked in handicap parking. Yet, on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, I played a full round of golf on a cold wet day in the mid-40s here in Brownsville, TX and felt no ill effects afterwards. That does make a statement that I can still do some pretty stupid things, since my friend and I were the only two golfers on the course.) I don't often try to walk the rounds anymore, because my horrendous gait causes pain in my knees, hips, and feet. I decided I don't have to prove I'm macho anymore by walking. I want to enjoy the game, and life.
Kay and I believe the biggest reason for these most significant improvements is that we have eliminated most of the toxicity from my body. It is also interesting to note that I have not had a cold or the flu in over three years, even when I do stupid things as noted above.
We continue to receive calls and emails from new PALS every week, sometimes two or three a week, that are fighting this battle. I know exactly how every PALS feels at the onset.. ALS looms like a monster mountain right in front of us, and we ask, "How can I ever climb this thing?" We climb it one step at a time. But we must never stop believing that we can reach the top.
Our hearts go out to every one of you. We thrill with your successes, and challenge you to fight and win, then pay it forward. Your are part of our family. It amazes me at how quickly we bond as fellow PALS.
We are here for anyone that needs to chat, or hear a voice of a PALS that could barely talk three years ago. Our email works 24/7, and we will give our phone numbers to anyone who ask..
God Bless You All, Kim
Here is a beautiful song by a little girl singing - You Raise Me Up. Once you are "raised up", raise up others.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203438311151901&fref=nf
(If get the hyperlink working, paste and clip it to your address bar)
March 2015
Review of book Embraced by the Light by Betty Eadie about the power we have within us.
Dear PALS,
I have had a book for a number of years and just recently re-read it. The title of the book is Embraced by the Light by Betty J. Eadie. Betty was raised in an orphanage and very often felt unloved. She had a near death experience during a surgery, and the book is written about her experiences. She wrote the book many years after her experience. It gives some very powerful information about the reason we are here on earth (we all have a mission) and the power we possess to heal if we only knew it. As she was having this out-of-body experience, the questions on her mind would be answered immediately. She was a very curious person and had lots of questions.
I want to share with you one chapter from the book called Healing--and Dying:
"After learning of the two major energy forces in the universe, both subject to the authority of God, I saw how these powers can affect us physically. Remembering that the spirit and the mind have tremendous influence on the flesh, I saw that we literally have power to affect our own health. I saw that the spirit in each of us is powerful, that it can give strength to the body to ward off illness, or, once the body is sick, to cause it to heal. The spirit has power to control the mind and the mind controls the body. Often in reflecting on this principle I have been reminded of the scripture: "For as (a man) thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)
Our thoughts have exceptional power to draw on the negative or positive energies around us. When they draw at length on the negative, the result can be a weakening of the body's defenses. This is especially true when our negative thoughts are centered on ourselves. I understood that we are at our most self-centered state when we are depressed. Nothing can sap our natural strength and health as much as prolonged depression. But when we make the effort to move ourselves away from the self and begin to concentrate on the needs of others and how to serve them, we begin to heal. Service is a balm to both the spirit and body.
All healing takes place from within. Our spirits heal our body. A doctor's sure hands may perform surgery, and medicine may provide ideal circumstances for health (and Kay adds, God's natural foods and healing remedies), but it is the spirit then that effects the healing. A body without a spirit cannot be healed: it cannot live for long. I was shown that the cells of our bodies were engineered to provide life indefinitely. They were programmed in the beginning to regenerate themselves, to replace old cells that had become ineffective or damaged so that life would not end. But something changed this; I was not shown exactly what the process was, but I understood that "death" had entered mortality in the Garden of Eden. I was shown that decisions there created conditions that make eternal life in mortality impossible.
I was shown that many of the illnesses of my life were the result of depression or feelings of not being loved. I saw that I had often yielded to negative "self-talk" such as "Oh, my aches and pains," "I am not loved," "Look at my sufferings," "I can't endure this," and more. Suddenly I saw the me, me, me in each of these statements. I saw that not only did I claim these negativisms by calling them mine. My body then lived a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy: "Woe is me," was translated in the body as "I am sick." I had never thought of this before, but now I saw how clearly I had been a part of the problem.
I understood that positive self-talk begins the healing process. Once we have identified the illness or problem, we need to start verbalizing its remedy. We need to remove thoughts of the illness from our minds and begin concentrating on its cure. Then we need to verbalize this cure, letting our words add to the power of our thoughts. This creates an excitement in the intelligences around us, and they then go into motion, working to heal us. I understood that this verbalization can best be done in prayer. If it is right that we be healed, God will then assist us in the healing process.
We are not to deny the presence of the illness or problem, we are simply to deny its power over our divine right to remove it. We are to live by faith, not by sight. Sight is involved with the cognitive, the analytical mind. It rationalizes and justifies. Faith is governed by the spirit. The spirit is emotional, accepting, and internalizes. And as with every other attribute, the way to gain faith is to practice the use of it. If we learn to use what we have, we will receive more. This is a spiritual law.
Developing faith is like planting seeds. Even if some of our seeds fall by the wayside, we will still receive some harvest. Any act of faith will bless us. And, the more proficient we become (and we will become proficient if we practice), the greater our harvest of faith will be. Everything produces after its own kind. This too is a spiritual law.
Now I was truly beginning to understand the power of the spirit over the body, and I saw that the spirit functions at a level most of us are not aware of. Of course I knew that my mind created my thoughts, and by body performed my actions, but the spirit had been a mystery to me. Now I understood that the spirit is a mystery to most people. I saw that it functions, generally without the mind even being aware of it. The spirit communicates with God, being the receptive device that receives knowledge and insight from him. It was important for me to understand this, and I envisioned that this would appear much like fluorescent light tube in our bodies. When the light is glowing, our core is filled with light and love; it is this energy that gives the body life and power. I saw also that the light could be diminished and the spirit weakened through negative experience--through lack of love, through violence, sexual abuse, or other damaging experiences. By weakening the spirit, these experiences also weaken the body. The body may not get sick, but it is more susceptible then, until the spirit is recharged. We can recharge our own spirits through serving others, having faith in God, and simply opening ourselves to positive energy through positive thoughts. We control it. The source of energy is God and is always there, but we must tune him in. We must accept the power of God if we want to enjoy the effects of it in our lives.
To my surprise I saw that most of us had selected the illnesses we would suffer, and for some, the illness that would end our lives. Sometimes healing does not come immediately, or at all, because of our need for growth. All experience is for our good, and sometimes it takes what we would consider a negative experience to help develop our spirits. We were very willing, even anxious, as spirits to accept all of our ailments, illnesses, and accidents here to help better ourselves spiritually. I understood that in the spirit world our earth time is meaningless. The pain we experience on earth is just a moment, just a split second of consciousness in the spirit world, and we are very willing to endure it. Our deaths are also often calculated to help us grow. When a person dies of cancer, for example, he will often experience a long, painful death that may give him opportunities for growth that he cannot get otherwise.
Under the guidance of the Savior I learned that it was important for me to accept all experience as potentially good. I needed to accept my purpose and station in life. I could take the negative things that had happened to me and try to overcome their effects. I could forgive my enemies, even love them, and thereby nullify any bad influence they may have had on me. I could seek good thoughts and kind words, and thus bring healing ointment to my own soul, as well as to others. I saw that I could begin to heal myself, spiritually first, then emotionally, mentally and physically. I saw that I could spare myself the corrosive effects of despair. I had a right to live fully.
I saw the evil in surrendering to one of Satan's greatest tools-my personal cycles of guilt and fear. I understood that I had to let go of the past. If I had broken laws or sinned, I needed to change my heart, forgive myself, and then move onward. If I had hurt someone, I needed to start loving them--honestly--and seek their forgiveness. If I had damaged my own spirit, I needed to approach God and feel his love again--his healing love. Repentance can be as easy as we make it - or as difficult. When we fall down, we need to get up, dust ourselves off, and get moving again. If we fall down again, even a million times, we still need to keep going; we're growing more than we think.
Because I knew that all creation begins with thoughts, I also knew that the creation of sin, and of guilt, and of despair, and of hope, and of love all start within us. All healing comes from within. All misery comes from within. We can create our own spiral of despair, or we can create a trampoline of happiness and attainment. Our thoughts have tremendous power.
We are like babies crawling around, trying to learn how to use the forces within us. They are powerful forces and are governed by laws that will protect us from ourselves. But as we grow and seek the positive all around us, even the laws themselves will be revealed. We will be given all that we are prepared to receive."
Kay's thoughts again: There is so much to learn from this book. I would recommend that you get it and read it. In no way do I want you to think that I believe that you intentionally created your disease. I believe that there are so many toxins (both physical and spiritual) in our current world today that even if you are aware of them, they are hard to avoid. We are so often too busy to realize the fast food junk or alcohol or sugar overload or toxins in our world that the we somehow believe we are being regulated by our government, which really are not, and that we are on our own to figure out what is good for us. Then we tend to believe that whatever we have created in health issues ( such as lung cancer from smoking as an example) can be resolved by our medical system. We need to take control of our own lives, our own health and our own happiness.
I hope you will consider the power of your mind and what you can do with it to help yourself heal. Your spouse or children or friends cannot do that for you, although they can love you and pray for you and help you in many, many ways. But you, the person with ALS, has to be the one to decide to heal and let the positive energies of the universe enter your life and bring you healing. Betty explained in her book how to do it.
If you fill your life with fear, anger, depression, frustration, and any other of the negative emotions, then no matter what supplements, therapies, treatments, etc., that you engage in, they will be of no effect until you fill your mind and body and heart with love, forgiveness, service to others, kindness, and faith in God. You have the power within yourself to do it. Kim and I both pray that you will.
Kay Cherry
April 2015
Understanding the dangers of Morphine
Dear PALS and Caregivers,
We received an email this month from the wife of one of our PALS in Texas. She shared an incredible story that needs to be shared as a voice of warning. Here is her story:
"I just met a new friend who came all the way from MA to meet me in person. We had been talking about how to heal ALS. Both the wife and husband believed they could heal his ALS. He was diagnosed for 3 years and did have eating and swallowing issues. Her husband just died rather unexpectedly of ALS which I know seems odd to say but I keep hearing the same exact story.
The ALSer is doing okay. They suddenly have a breathing issue or heart issue and go into the hospital. They are told nothing can be done. It's ALS and you can only expect things to get worse. Their loved one is struggling and of course no one wants them to suffer. They are offered Morphine. The ALSer is gone in a short time.
Each person who has told me this same story expressed how surprised they were that their spouse died just like that! They were healthy, doing good and then had a problem went to the hospital for and were told the SAME thing and each were given Morphine.
Now, well meaning people were kind enough to tell me early on (so I wouldn't worry) that if things got too bad, just ask for Morphine and that ends that. (Thanks folks for that pick me up).
This started a discussion with my family. I was trying to point out that we have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). Doctors and hospitals BELIEVE there is no way for these people to improve so I wanted to make clear my belief that doctors may tend to push the idea of ending things to save everyone from suffering and that is NOT my attitude if it's a simple case of phlegm or chest cold or pneumonia….that is not terminal ALS symptoms. There could be a chance that these people were not actually critically ill but rather that they had a complication that could have been solved if they had any other diagnosis other than ALS. My family believes I am in denial about this whole healing thing (including my husband with ALS) even though we have improved so much about his health. They feel I am being overly cynical about the medical world. But from our experience so far, the doctors have done us FAR more harm than good.
Now, I realize there are a million variables here.
My question is - Does anyone have knowledge or an opinion here on this subject? Are they giving these people Morphine because they really can't make it back from their ALS issue or are the doctors pushing stressed wives into saying Yes to Morphine to end things because they believe if you have a DMR that is what the ALSer wants.
The fact that 2 out of 3 of them repeatedly mentioned to me their shock at how quickly their husbands died as if they didn't realize that is what Morphine will do makes me wonder and of course there is no way to ask details. The others believed what doctors told them that it would be days of struggling and suffering and no one wants their loved one to go through that. There were no other options
I would like to hear what others have to say. Amy"
You can contact Amy if you would like to discuss the issues. Her email is [email protected]
Kay's opinion: If you add a very serious toxin to an already toxic body, the results are going to be death. We saw it when Kim had open-heart surgery before we knew he had ALS. He almost did not come out of anesthesia.
So the word of caution is: Don't let anyone talk you into Morphine as you now know the consequences.
Our prayers for your improved health and finding the right answers are with you
Kay Cherry
May 2015
Notes on the Power of belief, Liver/testing, Gut health, Mold, Stem cells
Dear PALS,
It seems that there are so many thing to add to the update today, that I hope I don't overwhelm you (like Kim says I have a tendency to do.)
(Insert note from Kim: I have an amazing wife. But more and more, we are becoming a unified fortress of believers and healers of ALS, and other neurological issues. Take the time to research and read every reference and link in this posting. I continue to defy traditional neurology, and will for many years to come. You all must believe you can too. God Bless!!!)
First I (Kay) wanted to share an article I found on Wake Up World. The title is "Scientific Proof that Negative Beliefs Harm Your Health." We have seen real evidence that that statement is very true. We believe that the negative - "I am sorry. You have ALS. Go home and prepare to die. There is nothing we can do." This is a line given by neurologists around the world is a key factor why so many PALS die of ALS so quickly. They believe that doctor because they are the professional and since the mind controls the body, they do exactly that. Our doctor spelled out exactly step by step how Kim would die. He said he did not want to give us false hope. He just didn't know that Kim's middle name should have been Persistence.
Here is the article:
http://wakeup-world.com/2015/02/22/scientific-proof-that-negative-beliefs-harm-your-health/?utm_campaign=Wake+Up+World+e-newsletter&utm_content=Latest+Headlines+inc.+Holograms+for+Freedom+%E2%80%93+Thousands+Protest+Spain%E2%80%99s+Gag+Laws+as+Holograms&utm_medium=email&utm_source=getresponse
Next: Deborah Wot, a scientist from Canada whose sister was recently diagnosed with ALS, is doing incredible studies on the liver and its association with ALS. Our liver is our major detoxing organ. If it is compromised by too much alcohol consumption, then it cannot function properly to do the detoxing. Then toxins build up in the body and “oops", we are in trouble. Some prescription medications can also be detrimental on the liver. An article I read years ago about a couple who came to the hospital (this was in 1977) with poisoning from mushrooms. A new doctor was assigned to watch them - not help them - just watch them die. He learned that Alpha Lipoic Acid could help the liver and got some and gave it to them. The couple lived and left the hospital well. The doctor was scolded by administration. (It is better to let someone die than follow orders?) After a couple more reprimands, he left the hospital and set up his own practice and has been helping people live instead of die. Alpha Lipoic Acid is something Kim gets every day.
So Deborah wrote this wonderful article on the liver and I am just going to paste it here:
“I am at the beginning of learning about liver testing and so I am writing about this experience. I sent a private message about a post I read on ALStdi:
Every single symptom of ALS matches stage 3 or 4 liver disease which can lead to pernicious anemia. Instead of guessing, ask your doctor to order a liver Sonogram. The same useless tests are repeated over and over again. If you do not order the correct test, you will never have the correct answer.
Neurologists do not look beyond the symptoms. That is not their expertise. Once the presence of liver disease is confirmed, a referral should be made to an endocrinologist and a gastro specialist.
All of the symptoms are secondary conditions due to liver deterioration. Google it. It's a match. 100% of those involved in a clinical assessment some years ago had some level of liver disease.
IT IS TREATABLE. Everyone involved in this discussion should immediately request the test and report findings on the forum. I have never met anyone who has had this test who did not have liver disease.
I failed to document what discussion I was reading, but liver problems are mentioned over and over with ALS so the first step is to get the correct tests ordered.
Ok, so, a liver sonogram is needed. And a further message advises other tests needed are:
Schilling Test
Homocysteine Test
Capacitance
C-Reactive Protein
The Schilling test shows problems with B12 absorption and these tests can also show problems with the bone marrow.
More on this as I figure it out.” Deborah Wot (From her facebook entry)
Next: Article from Dr. David Perlmutter on the importance of gut health and leaky gut. We knew it was important for Kim to get rid of gluten because he is gluten sensitive, but this and the next entry should convince you that all of us need to get rid of gluten. Great information about how our bodies are not just one piece of a puzzle. Fix one piece and everything is okay. No, all parts of our body work together, so it is a multifaceted task to fix all things before complete healing is accomplished.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/28/the-cure-for-brain-diseases-is-in-your-gut.html
Then just this morning, Deborah Wot added another very valuable article on what can heal the leaky gut. Here is the link: http://all-natural.com/catsclaw.html#effects
I had never heard of Dr. Amy Myers out of Austin Texas before, but her video is powerful as to how to heal the leaky gut syndrome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wxrTYLZjsE Valuable 7 minute video.
Next: Mold. Mold has been implicated in some ALS patients. One man in New York was living in a moldy apartment. His dog died of cancer and he got ALS. If you have mold in your lungs like Kim gets sometimes, the essential oil of cinnamon bark diffused into the air can kill the mold in the lungs. We have tried that for mold/fungus in Kim's lungs and it works. Earlier today I had another article on mold, a video by a professor that studies mold from Real Time Laboratories in Carrollton, TX. He did make reference in the video to those with ALS but I lost the video and don't know how to find it again. Following is another article on mold and the importance to get rid of it and treat it.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/09/05/mold-toxicity.aspx
Next: We are often asked about stem cell therapy. We know one lady in Texas that tried it to the tune of $15,000 and it did her no good. She tried the Deanna Protocol to no avail and was tested for parasites and told that the supplements would do no good until she got rid of the parasites, biofilm, etc. in her blood. She also told me she drank a million gallons of diet soda (Cke or Pepsi). All diet sodas contains the highly neurotoxic aspartame.
So we have no experience with stem cell therapy and ALS. However, there is a video by Dr. David Steenblock out of San Clemente, California that does stem cell therapy. Here is a video he produced. You will have to study that one further. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dH6DldYzCw
We do have a report from one of our PALS that had some stem cell therapy and that it was helpful. He went to a clinic in Mississippi. Just our opinion, you would have to clean up the issues that caused the ALS in the first place or the same issues will be recreated after the stem cell therapy.
New note from 2022: Further notes on stem cells is that it could be a temporary improvement. Stem cells are a very expensive treatment for a temporary relief. One man we met found amazing improvement initially, but the 2nd treatment only had small improvement and the 3rd one nearly none. Our take on this is that if the body is still full of toxins, the toxins will attack the new stem cells just like they did the old ones. Another man from Florida flew to Panama to get stem cells. After six month, he seemed to get no relief. We never heard from him again. Then at the Healing ALS conference, there was a very well-to-do man who flew around the world to get stem cells but it seemed to not heal him as he died in 2021.
Next: Just two more notes. There is a guy on the east coast whose daughter wrote an article about his recovery from ALS. I couldn’t find his name. Her name is Jaclyn Taylor. Here is her article:
http://www.topix.com/forum/health/als/TLHIJ3IKBITLLVBTP
We understand that the medical/research community is searching diligently for a cure or treatment for ALS. But like Dr. Perlmutter says in his above article, they are trying to find one thing and one cure. Our feeling is that there are many issues that come together to make ALS express itself. Kim’s were stress and poor sleep habits from work issues, exposure to environmental toxins, (everything from construction and manufacturing exposures, swimming in chlorinated water, shampoos, and pesticides to food additives,) amalgam dental work, etc.
Check out our new page on our web site called Check List. The task of finding ways to heal can be overwhelming. It is a good starting point, then continue to research and work on improving every facet of your life. It won't happen overnight, but then you didn't get ALS overnight. Be diligent in all healing modalities.
Our love and prayers are there for all of you.
Kay Cherry with Kim's approval
June 2015
Notes on liver healing, organic foods, L-serine, fungus/candida
There seems to be so much new information to share on ways to heal.
1 - Janice Greco submitted this article to ALS facebook on liver healing
http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/19-super-foods-naturally-cleanse-liver.html
2 - The importance or organic foods. See what is in non-organic strawberries. Kind of scary!
https://apathtohealth.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/toxic-conventional-strawberries/
3 - Here is a 10 minute video on how the proteins in the brain of an ALS person is tangled and how L-Serine can possibly be of help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jWi6WQQ9wo
4 - We were speaking with one of our PALS last week. He says that Dr. Steenblock thinks all people with ALS could have fungus issues. In our case, we knew early on that Kim had fungus issues and began addressing them with some supplements and diet. However, from what we have studied and with Kim's fungus issues showing up again, we hope we have found a way to better address it. Here are two articles in .pdf format that gives information on that.
I tried to attach the pdf documents but could not open them. So the following will give you that information:
What Does Candida Overgrowth Mean For My Health?
When you have candida overgrowth, the Candida Albicans yeast turns into a fungus. This fungus now settles itself into your tissue and a fungal colony quickly spreads…
The fungus causes harm and makes your life difficult because it feeds on sugars, and excretes mycotoxins into your blood stream as a result of its own digestive processes.
A systemic candida infection can drag on for months, even years if not addressed correctly making you miserable by causing a wide variety of symptoms, robbing you of your vitality, your well-being, and in extreme cases normal your daily life routine almost impossible.
As of 2014 we’ve helped over 18,000 people from all walks of life deal with both minor and some of the most unbelievably intense candida overgrowth situations, keep reading and find out how you can get Candida free as well, quickly, easily, without restrictive diets or dangerous treatments…
How Do You Know If You Have Candida Overgrowth?
A quick search on a medical website or wiki will show many symptoms believed to be connected to candida overgrowth, in fact there are thought to be over 100 different symptoms that can be expressed in someone with Candida.
Because of this, it would be very misleading to say “if you’ve got these symptoms, you’ve got Candida overgrowth”, it really varies.
Symptoms vary from person to person, and this may be because of diet, life-style choices, and also where the candida fungus is more prevalent in your body.
Typically, the initial stage of Candida overgrowth will often involve the gut, mouth, and urinary tract.
The most common symptoms believed to be related with candida overgrowth are:
· Thrush Sore Throat Bloating Gas Digestive Problems Ear Ache
If you believe you may have Candida and want to know for sure, the best way is to get tested at a facility that can provide such a test. Most health care professionals are unable and will avoid giving a diagnose of systemic candida overgrowth because it is difficult to give a 100% diagnosis, because the symptoms vary so much.
If you’re like many independent health conscious people, you’ll likely want to take matters into your own hands and start a candida cleanse. There are many approaches believed to cleanse candida out of the body.
However, before you plunge head-first into a candida cleanse, please consider the following, because it could save you a lot of suffering and years of frustration…
Can’t Seem To Beat Candida? Here’s why:
When you have candida overgrowth, Candida Albicans is now in its fungal form. It’s a fungus. And there’s one thing all fungus has in common.
A Chitin Layer.
Chitin is a very hard shell which protects and shields the fungus. Chitin is also found in the exoskeletons of many insects and crustaceans(crabs, lobsters, and prawns.)
Imagine the fungus is wearing a suit of armor that your immune system cannot punch through if it’s weak.
The fungus is protected as it has now left your gut and does not face the challenge of your gut bacteria keeping things in balance.
This protective chitin layer is what we believe makes the candida fungus so difficult to deal with, and why so many people experience great difficulty in ridding themselves of this burden. This is why if you’d like to get on the fast track to getting candida free, we recommend you study and try this approach, which has already worked for thousands of people…
How It Works… Our Approach: Deal With The Root Of The Problem,
Get It Done, and Get Your Life Back
- CCWS™ candida cleanser works because it deals with the root of the problem, the chitin layer of the fungus. Without this layer the fungus is defenseless and your body’s immune system can cleanse it out.
- Candida Cell Wall Suppressor, “CCWS™” is a chitin layer inhibitor which prevents fungus from being able to repair it’s chitin layer… It’s tough armor quickly weakens and your body is naturally able to kill and remove the fungus.
- It is a very simple cleanse that is clinically proven to be safe and you don’t have to go on a restrictive diet. You simply follow the usage instructions that come with your order. *Results as seen in our clinical studies may only be repeatable if you follow these instructions. For best result, directions should be followed carefully.
5 - We have also heard of another doctors that has tested all of his ALS patients for Lyme disease and that all his patients had Lyme disease. We do not believe that Kim had Lyme disease, but many PALS may. Here is an article that discusses Lyme disease. Many doctors will try to get rid of it with very lengthy doses of antibiotics. But that destroys all bacteria in the body. Trying to heal from that assault can be another huge task. (And another thought is that if Lyme is a virus and not a bacteria, then antibiotics cannot resolve the issue.) We have a friend (without ALS) that found out he had Lyme disease. He and his wife use a lot of doTerra oils. He started putting the essential oil blend called Citrus Bliss and was able to get rid of his Lyme disease.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/28/why-lyme-disease-cases-are-spiking.html
In this world of ALS, I believe that we come to it each differently. We each have to find the things that are complicating the ALS issues and find ways to resolve them.
Our Prayers are with you. Kim and Kay Cherry (This update written by Kay and approved by Kim.)
A note from Kim
I am very fortunate that I have Kay to do all this research. For us PALS that have someone to do that, it takes a lot of pressure off of us. For those that have to do their own research, the commitment to do that research and finding the path to heal is part of the therapy.
Though I continue to heal, even today, 3½ years since my diagnosis, I can still have down days, and when I have one of those, that sneaky little feeling of fear sets in. I suspect every PALS, even those that are long time survivors, know that feeling. But it is critical that I do not let it last. For each of us, our strongest weapon is still the power of our own minds. It is what makes all the other things work.
I still try to walk the first nine holes (about 3½ miles) of my golf game often, at least once a week, but it is not always easy, and sometimes it takes the fun out of the game. But my goal is to regularly walk the full 18. That is why we continue to research, to try new things, and to move forward. I pray all our dear PALS friends do the same.
July 2015
Story of Steven Bishop reversal
Dear PALS and caregivers,
We had the opportunity of spending a couple of hours with Tish Tamowski and her husband Scott Douglas on Saturday, June 27 when we were traveling through Utah on our way to a family reunion. They are the ones putting together the book and documentary on healing ALS by natural means. As we were discussing the complicated methods for trying to heal ALS, Tish brought up a great point. Having ALS is like a puzzle. There are many things that can cause ALS and PALS come to the ALS table having gotten there from many sources. So it like a huge puzzle to figure out what may have caused those issues and make the corrections to eliminate them. Tish likened it to the alphabet. Twenty six letters (26 possible links to ALS with 26 or 26 multiples in finding a way to heal.) Some don't have mercury poisoning, some have not had concussions, some don't have alcohol issues which destroys the liver, some don't have Lyme Disease, etc., etc. Some have a very wide combination of issues and maybe one main issue that throws the illness over the top. But analyzing all possibilities and correcting them is the first step to healing. Tish noted that many professionals think they have the answer but only have one piece of the puzzle and for each PALS, it could take different pieces to heal.
We have just heard of a new supplement that may be of help to PALS. It is called Protandim. It is an herbal combination that seem to work well together. From my research, this is what I have found.
Protandim contains Milk Thistle, Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Green Tea and Turmeric. Each has different properties. Protandim claims to increase glutathione production by a very large percentage.
Milk Thistle is a liver tonic, protecting the liver and improving liver function.
Ashwagandha strengthens the immune system.
Bacopa is a brain tonic and increases brain function. It is a very strong antioxidant and is said to protect brain cells, reduce stress on the brain, and increase serotonin, thus relieving nervous exhaustion and anxiety.
Green Tea Extract is a great antioxidant and fights free radicals.
Turmeric is very anti-inflammatory.
One advantage of this supplement is that it is relatively inexpensive, about $50 for a one month supply. We realize that what we did would not be in the budget for many PALS. And the ingredients in Protandim may be available independently through various other sources for even much less or maybe more.
We have not used it because we are already set up with ozone therapies. But it may be possible that Protandim accomplishes much the same thing as our ozone protocol. The key is that you have to do the research on what you need and what you think will work for you.
Now for a Protandim story:
As you are aware if you have followed our site, Tish and Scott are working on a book and documentary about people that have healed ALS by using natural means. They became aware of Steven in Colorado that has made some amazing strides and interviewed him.
Steven was first diagnosed in about 2001, at age 35 and given the standard 3-5-years-to-live line. He and his wife had a 3 years old son. He said when he was first diagnosed that he was really depressed and angry. Losing his ability to work at his chosen field was like losing his identity. He took antidepressants for a period of time, but turned it around when he decided two things. First, he did not want his son to remember his dad only as this angry man. Secondly, he found a purpose in his life by getting involved with the Muscular Dystrophy foundation, serving and helping others. (Our opinion is that serving others helps you maybe more than it helps others.)
Steven's ALS was very slow progressing, but by 2008 he was using a wheelchair almost exclusively. He had cleaned up his diet and his doctor told him early on that he should take Vitamin C, Vitamin E and CoQ10, all good antioxidants which probably helped slow the progression of the disease a bit. In 2009, he learned of Protandim and began taking it daily. For the first year he saw no significant changes though symptoms seemed to continue progressing very slowly. Then one day, he realized there were some significant positive changes, which continued to build. He improved to the point that he turn back in his handicap sticker and his wheel chair. He said that was very liberating. He now walks almost normally, as evidenced in videos Scott took in mid-June of this year.
A note from Kim:
We are encouraged with what we see with Protandim, but the jury is still out. There are certainly the detractors and scam alarmist, but they say similar things about the protocol we believe has turned my ALS around. But we feel Protandim, or perhaps just the ingredients in Protandim that are readily available on Amazon and various other supplement sources, deserves a closer look.
I will say that after watching the above referenced video of Steven, I truly was impressed, and found myself believing that my improvement may well continue to the point of achieving a normal gait with no drop foot and no dragging, which are still significant issues for me.
Just as a disclaimer, let me say that I am married to the most wonderful, committed, kind, and loving woman in the whole world. Her biggest fault is that she is married to a somewhat cynical engineer that loves her dearly. Though this is one engineer that is beating the odds on ALS survival because of her commitment, we have neither the means nor the expertise to adequately research not only Protandim and other supplements/helps referenced in our site, but the protocols we have actually embraced in our own campaign to regain my full health and strength. But I will refer to the old cliché: "The proof is in the pudding!" In other words, they say "Where is the Science?" We say: "LOOK AT ME!"
We encourage every PALS and those in this fight to do your own research and study. Get a little guidance for the MAN UPSTAIRS. Figure out what you can do, and what you think will work, then go after it with 110% commitment.
May God continue to bless all our PALS!
New Note from 2022. Steven Bishop attended and spoke at the Healing ALS Conference in 2019 and was walking, talking and doing well.
August 2015
Book Conquering Lou Gehrig's Disease by Hannah Yoseph, MD
Dear PALS and caregivers,
I learned of a book just published in 2013 by Hannah Yoseph, MD. The title of the book is Conquering Lou Gehrig's Disease, The ALS Diet.
The title alone should spark interest. We are all looking for a "cure", but healing is probably the better route to go. As the body heals, the ALS heals.
Before I review what is in the book, I want to mention that I still believe that there are many pieces to the ALS puzzle. You have to believe you can heal. (Your mind controls the body. If you believe the doctors are all knowing and that they can't possibly be wrong, then stop reading right here and prepare for your funeral. If you want to live, then change your mind and believe that you can heal.) You have to resolve past emotional issues. You have to rid your life of emotional, spiritual, physical and environmental toxins. You can't put out a fire by adding gasoline. (All pharmaceuticals are toxic - gasoline to a fire.)
And you have to rid your body of all toxins through safe detox procedures.
So if you are working on those things, then you are headed in the right direction. Dr. Yoseph has some very valuable information for you on how to heal the mitochondria and myelin sheath. THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO HEAL.
Dr. Yoseph begins by talking about the importance of being PH balanced. I studied that several years ago when trying to figure out how to save my bones without toxic drugs. One thing Dr. Yoseph pointed out is that the blood has to remain at a PH balance of 7 (right in the middle of the acidic versus alkaline scale.) If the blood gets acidic from foods/drinks introduced into the body, the blood has to draw alkalinity from the tissues and organs and bones, because if the blood does not stay at PH 7, you die. The foods that alkalize the body are all fruits and vegetables (not cooked and processed and boxed and bottled, but real raw fruit and vegetables, raw nuts and seeds.) Everything else is acidic. Repeat: everything else is acidic. Disease and fungus and parasites, etc., absolutely love an acidic body because they have lots of food to eat. I have heard that disease cannot live in an alkaline body.
One of the foods that Dr. Joseph covers is soda pop. She says that soda pop is 10,000 times more acidic than your blood. So what does your body have to do to keep you alive every time you drink a soda? That is why sodas and tooth decay go hand in hand. Pretty scary!
Dr. Joseph discusses how fungus is so dangerous, how statin drugs (a fungus) can create ALS and what vitamins are critical for your recovery, but most of all she discusses the foods - YES, FOODS - that will heal your mitochondria and myelin sheath. For instance, apples (organic only, please) contain malic acid. Malic acid make glial cells which make the myelin sheath. Your myelin sheath is full of holes if you have ALS, and they need fixing if you want to get well.
Her book contains concrete steps you need to take to begin the healing process. Many of her suggestions are not things that we have done in earnest, but are beginning to incorporate. Kim has made a very significant turn-around (especially since he can breathe now when he could not breathe 3½ years ago, but he still has drop foot and balance issues. So onward and upward we go toward making even more improvement.
You really should order the book. I cannot even begin to share all the book has to offer.
Our prayers are with you.
A Note From Kim:
I was struggling a bit again when we returned to Idaho this spring. Not sure why, perhaps the elevation changes, but probably more due to the stress of getting my other small business up and going better. The issues seemed to be related mostly to breathing.
The solutions were to start lightly carbonating my drinking water again, since I had stopped in December of 2014, and I upped my ozone treatments to three times per week, instead of the one-time per week we had reverted to. My breathing is improved and I am doing fine. Kay also put me through a 45 day Candida Cleanse, which I think helped considerably, and which she will address later here-in.
I like to think the balance issue and the drop foot are also improving, but it is a slow process. My golf game seems to be stagnant, but I still play and frequently walk the front nine, which I would have a hard time doing without my push cart.
I do tend to run out of gas before I run out of daylight. So often I putter home pretty slowly. But all in all, life is good.
God Bless You All,
Kim & Kay
P.S. Kim mentioned that I needed to discuss the candida/fungus issue. Candida is one form of fungus. There is a better description of it at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candida_(fungus). We believe that Kim had fungus in his lungs even before his ALS diagnosis. When he was told he had fungus right after his diagnosis, we didn't really associate that with the issue in his lungs. Then in the summer of 2014, we had a 90th birthday party for my mother. I made him a gluten free carrot cake to take to the party (still loaded with sugars, but gluten free.) We came home with about 1/2 of the cake and froze it in small single serving containers. I thought it would last all summer, but it was gone in about a week. It was then that Kim's lung issues resurfaced again. (Clue that the fungus might be in his lung.) I diffused some essential oil of melaleuca into the air so he could breathe it into his lungs. The lung issues resolved in just a few days. Melaleuca is supposed to be good for candida/fungal issues.
Our trip in January did not allow us to take our refrigerated sauerkraut (a great probiotic) with us on the airplane. Before returning to Idaho, Kim again had another fungus issue. It required an antibiotic to clear it up. But there went all his good gut bacteria along with the bad. I put him back on the probiotics (and sauerkraut) like before, but didn't give him a big enough supply as other issues continued to surface through the spring and summer.
After some research, I found a web site called www.candidacleanser.com. There may be others that are just as effective, but this is the one we tried. I bought a three product package, CCWS, ZEOCO, and Em Pro probiotic. (It cost $175 and came from Thailand, so delivery took two weeks. (It is a product that could be repeated every year or so if needed.) The instructions are to take the CCWS starting at 8 AM with breakfast and a good fat. That pill is repeated every four hours with fat. The fat helps it to absorb. Then at 10 AM and every four hours afterward, you take the Zeoco. Although not completely explained, I believe the first pill was to kill the fungus and the second to absorb the debris from the first pill. You do this routine for 5 days and then take ten days off. Then repeat the whole thing two more times. The EmPro was to be taken at noon and 8 PM and could be continued through the 10 days off.
They do say that there can be some discomfort during the die-off period. Kim did have some minor issues similar to his January issues, but they eased off quite quickly. Near the end of the treatments, Kim did say that he felt better. He continues to take the Em Pro. We can say that it was hard to exactly follow their program. He did not always have the right pills to take at the right time or remember them exactly right, but it still seemed to be effective.
A PALS from California had visited Dr. David Steenblock in So. California who said that he believes that all PALS have fungus issues. Probably even those of us without ALS have fungus issues.
September 2015
David Atkinson healed his ALS & then helped others to heal
http://www.baar.com/atkinson.htm
Dear PALS,
We read an amazing book this month. It is titled Hope Springs Eternal, Surviving a Chronic Illness. It was written by David Atkinson. David was born in about 1931 and we understand that he passed away fairly recently.
Above is a link to an interview of David Atkinson discussing his ALS journey. It is not as comprehensive as his book but gives you a good feel for what he went through and how he healed. At one point in the book when he had been doing his therapies for about 6 months, he made the comment that he hadn't noticed any improvement, "but I failed to notice that I was still alive."
Healing ALS is not something that happens easily. We are conditioned to believe that we can go to the doctor, get a pill and be better in a few days. Healing ALS takes healing a lot of different things in our body. After David had made considerable improvement, he went to someone that he hoped would heal his inability to eat. In the book, he mentions that he does not know whether the specialist actually did something as he manipulated his neck and throat to help him eat or if just his giving David permission to eat may have released some kind of mental block in his brain. (Just a note here that when the doctors give you the diagnosis, that there is nothing they can do. It is very true that they can do nothing, but you can do something.) When David had been everywhere in the medical field to find something and then his daughter signed him up for a healing seminar, he finally thought, "Well, I have nothing to lose." You have your life to lose, if you continue to run to the doctors and let them tear down your spirits and will to live.
David had a formula for healing. It included prayer, spirituality, special therapies, giving of yourself to others and changing your diet. He said when he prayed, he did not asked to healed or cured, but rather asked God to help him find the means he needed to heal.
As I read his book, I wondered what it may have been that caused his ALS. In the link above, it says he was a football player, business man (which means a lot of mental stress), he had smoked cigars heavily for 23 years. Following that he had chronic infections , and used antibiotics a lot. So what I see is lots and lots of free radical production from physical and mental stress with probably no magnesium supplementation. The stress of smoking and then the destruction of the good gut bacteria from all the antibiotics. My next guess is that there was never a doctor that suggested a probiotic to heal the gut from all the antibiotics.
Our bodies were created with a great healing mechanism. We just need to give the proper tools and amazing things can happen.
Kay wrote the foregoing. I, the guy with the ALS, want to add a few insights.
The most important decision I made, at the most frightful time in my battle to live, was when I stormed out of my general practitioner's office, insulted because he would give no credence to my desire to implement alternative therapies to stop my downhill slide to an agonizing death. I told him that he was wrong in his evaluation of my chances, that I was going to beat this, and that he would not be seeing me again. I was not only disappointed in his attitude, I was downright mad. But it was the controlled anger that fueled my initial fight to heal.
We have talked to many PALS that feel they have caring traditional doctors that have their best interest in mind. That is good. I felt like most of my doctors thought I was an idiot for believing I could heal. But know this, that every one of us PALS that hope to defeat this monster ALS must take complete control of the WAR. We can and should seek counsel and especially inspiration from positive practitioners, spiritual leaders, and any other team members that are on our side. But we must be the captain of our team, and we must be engrossed in healing - heart and soul.
I will be eternally grateful for so many that have been a part of my success, especially my sweetheart, friend, and eternal companion, Kay. But I am still the one that had to believe. With God's help, I have done it. I pray every other PALS reading this can do likewise.
Kim
October 2015
Magnesium Threonate may cross the blood/ brain barrier
Dear PALS and Caregivers,
I have written about the power of magnesium before, but there is a new magnesium out that could have powerful implications for PALS. It is called magnesium threonate or magnesium L-threonate. It has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier and therefore impact the health of the brain. I just received an email newsletter for Dr. Mercola regarding the magnesium threonate so I am going to attach it here for your review. This newsletter is kind of an ad for his brand of magnesium threonate. (That article is no longer available.) I found mine at www.swansonvitamins.com and have been giving them to Kim for just a couple of weeks, so it is too early to determine results.
Another thought is that Dr. Carolyn Dean says in her book, The Magnesium Miracle, is that the magnesium threonate is not much better that other form of magnesium, so it is for your to study and determine what is best for you.
Kim and I believe that the power of the mind has the most major role in helping your body to heal so the ALS can heal. Part of that is realizing that there are food choices, supplements, natural therapies that help your body heal. We heard the doctor's line, "Oh, sorry but you have ALS. There is nothing you can do but one FDA approved drug. We can help you when you are ready for hospice." There is no mention of diet or natural things that the good Lord gave us if we can only learn how to use them. Doctors are only trained in drugs and covering symptoms. Dr. David Perlmutter says in his book, the Better Brain Book, that the ALS drug really causes more harm and has no real value. Doctors may be good at diagnosing and emergency care, but healing is not really their art (in our humble opinion). Dr. Rowan in California calls our health "care" system, a "disease maintenance system."
So perhaps your goal should be to learn what health issues you have. Certainly it is very possible that you don't just have ALS, but a diseased liver that cannot remove toxins from your body, or fungus issues, or gluten sensitivity, or kidney problems, or high levels of mercury poisoning or gut issues or diet soft drink damage, etc. Each issue needs to be addressed and corrected.
Knowing that there is a way to accomplish the task is so empowering. Seek the Lord's guidance in how you can heal.
We pray for your empowerment.
Kim and Kay Cherry
November 2015
Foods that detox the liver
We have learned that gluten from wheat and other grains forms a hard plaque in the liver and cuts into the liver's ability to detox the body. Just stopping the consumption of gluten, does not get rid of the plaque. Someone with ALS absolutely has to be able to detox. Here is an article on 15 ways to detox the liver.
15 Tips for Detoxing Your Liver
From www.healthdietbase.com
The liver is an essential organ that helps to keep the human body free of toxins. It performs important functions in almost every part of your body, from balancing your cholesterol levels to filtering your blood. Painkillers, prescription medications, alcohol, and other toxins can overload the liver and reduce its ability to function. Detoxing your liver helps to flush out toxins and improve the health of your liver. Here are 15 tips for detoxing your liver.
1. Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a plant that has been used for centuries to treat diseases of the liver and gall bladder. It’s been used by Europeans to heal various liver-related ailments as far back as 2,000 years ago! The plant got its name from the milky fluid that oozes from the leaves when they are crushed.
One of milk thistle’s active compounds is called, silymarin, a potent antioxidant that is several times more effective than vitamin C and vitamin E. It is used to reduce inflammation, inhibit the production of toxins, and prevent further damage to the liver. Of all the silymarins found in milk thistle, silybin has been found to be the most effective in the promotion of liver health. This is why milk thistle supplements contain high doses of silybin.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments and illnesses. It is thought to improve the function of the stomach, colon, liver, bladder, and kidneys. Make your own apple cider vinegar by crushing some fresh apples and filtering the liquid, before allowing it to cure into vinegar. Alternatively, you can buy bottled apple cider vinegar at most health food stores and supermarkets. Use the vinegar to make a warm cleansing drink for your liver by adding 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of honey to a cup of warm water.
Here’s another recipe you might want to try. You will need:
- Apple cider vinegar
- 1 quart filtered water
- ½ pc. lemon, thinly sliced
- ¼ pc. cucumber, thinly sliced
- 2 sprigs mint
While apple cider vinegar is usually easy and safe to use, there might be some things you’ll want to keep in mind. Since undiluted apple cider vinegar can be harmful to the esophagus and other parts of the digestive tract, you’ll want to be sure to dilute the vinegar. Try to keep your apple cider consumption to under eight ounces a day as anything over that could potentially decrease your potassium levels. Also, if you are allergic to apples, you will not want to use apple cider vinegar to detoxify your liver.
If you have been prescribed certain medications, especially drugs like cardiac glycosides, diuretics, insulin laxatives, and diabetes or blood pressure medications, you will want to be careful when using apple cider vinegar for detoxification. If you are taking these types of medications, it is always a good idea to check with your health care provide before beginning a regimen that could potentially have harmful effects. Even though apple cider vinegar is made from natural sources, it could still interfere with these types of medications.
3. Garlic
Garlic contains nutrients and Allicin, a compound that helps to aid the process of liver detoxification. Garlic helps to flush heavy metals, nitrogen, and excess hormones from the liver. Cooking garlic can reduce the potency of the nutrients, but the strong flavour of raw garlic can be off-putting for many people. One solution is to try taking garlic capsules, preferably 2-3 times a day while you are performing your liver detox.
When ingesting the garlic capsules, it is best that they are coated so they have a less chance of upsetting your stomach. If your stomach still gets upset when taking a capsule, you can try to take an antacid along with it.
Garlic which is an herb, is normally completely fine for you to use in your detoxification process. However, as with other herbs, there may be some things to keep in mind when using garlic. Although it is not very common, some people have been known to have had an allergic reaction to garlic.
You might want to double check with your health care provider if you are taking certain medications especially for tuberculosis (TB) or HIV/AIDS as garlic can interfere with the absorption of certain kinds of medications specifically for these illnesses. Also for women taking birth control pills, garlic may actually decrease the effectiveness of the pill.
4. Grapefruit seed extract
Grapefruit seed extract contains powerful antioxidants that help to flush toxins from the body, including the liver. Grapefruit seed extract can be expensive, but you only need a few drops 2-3 times a day. If you don’t want to spend money on grapefruit seed extract, try eating a couple of whole grapefruits every day during your liver detox. The results may not be as powerful as using the extract, but grapefruits contain antioxidants that can help to cleanse your liver.
Grapefruit seed extract is processed from grapefruit seeds and pulp and is a byproduct of producing grapefruit juice. In order to reduce the acidity and bitterness of grapefruit juice and extract, vegetable glycerin is added to the final product.
Grapefruit has long been known to interfere with certain medications so it is good to use caution when taking grapefruit seed extract in the detoxification process of your liver. Grapefruit juice has been known to decrease how quickly certain medications are broken down by the liver which can actually increase the side effects of certain medications. You’ll want to be especially cautious if you are taking medications for the following conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction and also if you are taking any kinds of sedatives. Other kinds of medications that may have an altered effect when taken with grapefruit are blood thinners such as Coumadin and also medications that contain caffeine.
5. Dandelion Root
Dandelions are flowering weeds with a wide range of medicinal uses. The roots and leaves of dandelion plants have long been used to make herbal remedies, tinctures and tonics to help cleanse the liver, improve digestion and purify the blood. Dandelions are packed with important nutrients, including calcium, potassium and a variety of vitamins. Dandelion root contains properties that increase the production of bile, which helps to eliminate toxins from the liver.
Dandelion root is available as a tea, tincture, supplement and powdered extract. You can also buy dried dandelion root, which can be prepared in a similar way to fresh coffee. As dandelion root is a powerful diuretic, you must drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. Dandelion root can also produce a mild laxative effect, making it ideal for flushing out your whole system.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular spice that gives curried dishes their striking yellow color. Turmeric is also commonly used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat a wide range of health conditions including coughs, colds, viruses, infections, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, high cholesterol levels, excess mucous, nasal congestion, and various skin complaints. Turmeric contains powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, as well as several health-enhancing nutrients including iron, copper, potassium, manganese, vitamin B6 and fiber. These powerful properties combine to improve liver function, protect and regenerate liver tissue, aid digestion, reduce digestive gas, reduce cholesterol, boost the immune system, improve circulation, and purify the blood.
Turmeric is also an effective aid for detoxing the liver. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have made it to this list! Curcumin, the very thing that gives turmeric its bright yellow color, is a phytochemical responsible for its detoxifying effects. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that curcumin stimulates the gallbladder to produce bile, which helps to eliminate liver toxins and repair damaged liver cells. Liver detox is made more effective when turmeric is combined with ginger, which helps to boost circulation and reduce congestion.
Turmeric is available as a supplement, extract, or tea. To make turmeric tea, you need:
- 2 tsp. fresh turmeric, peeled and finely grated
- 1 tsp. fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
- ½ to ¾ tsp. powdered cinnamon
- 1 pinch powdered black pepper
- ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. pure raw honey or preferred sweetener
- ¼ cup coconut milk or preferred milk
What makes this tea great is that many of ingredients aid in liver detoxification. Black pepper and coconut milk allow the body to better absorb the turmeric. Cinnamon is a known anti-inflammatory. And lastly, raw honey is rich in antioxidants that promote digestive health.
7. Lemon
Lemons are packed with vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals, including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, phosphorous, thiamin, riboflavin, copper, calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. The juice, fruit, and peel of lemons are often used in natural remedies and herbal infusions due to their potent antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Lemon is commonly used to treat sore throats, tickly coughs, fever, colds, blocked sinuses, indigestion, constipation, tinnitus, and rheumatism. Lemon is also thought to help prevent kidney stones, high blood pressure, and chronic stomach problems.
Lemons contain powerful antioxidants, known as bioflavonoids, which help to cleanse the liver, purify the blood, and strengthen the immune system. Adding the juice of half a lemon to a cup of warm or cold water gives you a cleansing drink to help flush toxins from your liver and digestive system. Have a glass of this every day to keep your liver happy. Below is a more effective way of preparing lemon water for liver detoxification. For this you will need:
- 1 pc. lemon, preferably organic
- ¼ liter hot water
- ¾ liter cold water
- Salt
Alternatively, you can buy lemon tea or dried lemons to make a refreshing drink.
8. Green Tea
Lauded as one of the world’s healthiest beverages by both nutritionists and research scientists, green tea is also helpful for detoxing the liver. Green tea originated in China and has long been known in Asia for its many health benefits. Green tea comes from the leaves of the plant called Camellia sinensis. The leaves of the plant are not fermented when being made into green tea which leaves the antioxidant chemicals called polyphenols completely intact. Because green tea is one of the least processed beverages, all of its amazing antioxidants called catechins are nearly poured right into your cup. These catechins which are crucial components when it comes to protecting cells from damage, are also helpful in assisting the liver with the detoxification process.
When you use green tea to detoxify your liver, it is recommended that you drink four to five cups a day. Some people don’t like the taste of green tea and if you still want to experience the powerful detoxification effects of the beverage, you can opt for capsules or liquid supplements. Something to keep in mind regarding green tea is that it does contain caffeine. If you are trying to detox your body from caffeine, you can try drinking decaffeinated green tea. Also, if you take the capsules or supplements, they contain caffeine. It is always best to get the capsules or supplements from a reputable source and you might want to check with your health care provider to ensure they are safe for you to take.
9. Avocados
Considered a super-food, avocados are rich in nutrients and help the body to produce a compound called glutathione which is necessary for the liver to get rid of harmful toxins in the body. If you have chronic liver disease, your body is probably low on glutathione. Eating avocados can help increase this important compound and help to heal the liver.
Avocados, which are technically a fruit since they grow on a tree and reproduce with a seed, may get a bad rap at times because of their high fat content. However, the fat contained in avocados is monounsaturated and is the healthy fat good for maintaining health cholesterol levels. Avocados also provide about 20 vitamins and minerals that are essential for optimum health. If you consume avocados, you are also helping your body to absorb fat-soluble nutrients. Avocados are a great source of Vitamin C and Vitamin E and antioxidants that help to neutralize free radicals in the liver which can further protect liver cells and keep this vital organ free from harm.
Avocados are eaten in a variety of ways and can replace foods that aren’t so good for you like mayonnaise, sour cream and butter. They taste great on sandwiches, in salads or topped with fresh salsa. Whether you mash them, whip them, slice or dice them, avocados are a great food to eat during the liver detoxification process. They are one food you will want to keep on eating after your detox to help protect and heal the liver.
10. Cabbage
Eating cabbage, which is considered one of the world’s healthiest foods, contains glucosinolate that helps to stimulate the activation of important detoxifying enzymes known to flush out toxins from the liver. There are many foods in the cabbage family including Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower that can also be good when detoxing the liver. These foods contain sulfur which is known as a cleansing mineral. More importantly, cabbage and the other foods in its family are full of sulfur-containing amino acids. These amino acids, including taurine, methionine and cysteine are essential when it comes to clearing the pathways during a liver detox. If you are eating a lot of cabbage and other vegetables that contain sulfur, you may want to note that eating a lot of fruit might cancel out those benefits since eating fruit can interfere with sulfur metabolism.
While a variety of cabbage can be eaten during a liver detox, only green cabbage contains high amounts of chlorophyll which is known to be important for strengthening the liver. Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable which also contains Vitamin K, Vitamin C, folate and Omega 3 fatty acids which are all beneficial for optimum health. In order to get the best benefit, be sure to eat organic, raw cabbage. You can also drink raw cabbage juice as a way to detox your liver. If you juice the cabbage yourself, you will want to be sure to drink the juice right away or else it will lose pertinent vitamin content.
11. Walnuts
You might not think of eating nuts as a way to help detox your liver but they contain high density lipoproteins that help to protect against fatty liver disease. These lipoproteins also reduce levels of C-reactive protein that helps to lower inflammation in the liver. This is important because inflammation of the liver is often a precursor to liver damage.
Some nuts, especially walnuts, contain large amounts of the amino acid known as arginine which help to rid the liver of harmful toxins like ammonia. Walnuts also contain high amounts of glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids which are both necessary for effectively detoxifying the liver. One important thing to remember about eating walnuts during a detox is that you want to chew them well, turning them into liquid before swallowing. Because walnuts are a food with low levels of toxicity, extracts from the hulls of walnuts are often used in special formulas made to cleanse the liver from toxins. Protein, antioxidants and healthy unsaturated fats can also be found in walnuts and are all essential for liver health and function. Unsaturated fats are especially important as they help to protect the liver against fat accumulation and aid in building healthy cell membranes around liver cells.
Other nuts that can be healthy for the liver include Brazil nuts, pecans and almonds. Peanuts are usually not a good food when it comes to liver health. When eating nuts for health benefits, make sure to only eat them unsalted and in their rawest form.
12. Seaweed
If you think seaweed is strictly reserved for dieters or health nuts, then you will never look at this superfood the same way again. Not only is seaweed high in nutrients and low in calories, it also contains hardcore detox properties that cleanses the liver. In fact, a study from McGill University concluded that seaweed is an effective detox agent against radioactive chemicals like strontium. Seaweed, kelp, in particular, contains a high concentration of algin, which helps rid the body of radioactive particles in the body.
Of course, unless you live near a melted down nuclear power plant, seaweed’s radioactive detox properties is useless. But the goodness of seaweed doesn’t stop there. Seaweed is also helps flush out heavy metals like cadmium and lead in the body. Green seaweed is rich in chlorophyll, one of nature’s most potent detoxifier. Chlorophyll contains a special kind of fiber that binds and flushes out toxic chemicals from the body, especially unwanted substances in the liver. To round up, seaweed is the only food that contains the broadest range of minerals, around 10 or 20 times more than any vegetable.
But before you go and start hoarding seaweed from the local grocer, make sure you’re getting the highest quality seaweed from a reputable source so you can take full advantage of its detoxifying properties.
13. Onions
The liver is without a doubt one of the most abused organs in the body. The liver filters out all the unwanted substances in the body so if you’re serious about taking care of it, then you might want to start adding more onions to your diet. You see, apart from containing a long list of essential vitamins and minerals that protect the body from free radicals, onions also contains sulphur, a compound that not only purifies the liver from toxic chemicals and environmental toxins, but also helps flush out a wide range of poisons ranging from pesticides to alcohol.
Onions are also one of the best sources of anticancer compounds including phenolics and flavonoids. Research shows that shallots, yellow onion, and Northern red onions inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the body. Onions are believed to cut the risks of developing colon and liver cancer. It also contains a higher level of special antioxidants that protect the body from certain types of cancers. That said, not all onions offer the same level of anticancer and liver-detoxifying properties. Western Yellow onions contain 11 times more antioxidants than the Western White so it’s important to research which varieties offer the highest anticancer properties.
There are several ways to incorporate onions into your diet. Onions are quite versatile and can be a part of any meal. You can caramelize them in low to medium heat and add them to omelets, salads, sandwiches, and pretty much any vegetable ditch. Chopped raw onions can be combined with tomatoes, cucumber, and toasted pita bread to create a Mediterranean salad. Don’t forget to drizzle it with olive oil and lemon juice! You can also make an Italian salad by mixing sliced onions, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. Finish it off by drizzling it with olive oil. Maximize the detoxifying properties of onions by using garlic-infused olive oils when preparing salads.
14. Artichoke
Another of nature’s heavy-duty liver detoxifier is artichoke. Artichoke is known to boost bile production in the liver. This in turn helps normalize health and digestive function and prevent the development of certain types of cancer.
Artichoke as a liver-friendly detoxifier is actually old news. In Europe, most doctors prescribe artichoke extracts to those suffering from liver-related diseases since the 18th century. Most holistic practitioners are also turning to artichoke to cleanse the liver from toxic chemicals.
Recent studies prove the benefits of artichoke on liver health. In 2010, a study featured in the Biological Trace Element Research links consumption of artichoke leaf extract with reduced fat and cholesterol levels in liver. An earlier study that appeared in Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology shows that consuming artichoke extract before being exposed to liver-damaging toxins prevent injury to the liver. An Italian research published in Nutrition and Cancer revealed that artichoke extract demonstrated a capability to protect liver cells from damage, mainly due to their antioxidant effects. They also discovered that artichoke extract prevented the growth of cancerous cells in the liver.
Artichoke belongs to the milk thistle family. Apart from being a hardcore liver detoxifier, artichoke also helps stabilize blood sugar levels and is rich in phelonic acid compound known as cynarin. Cynarin is believed to be responsible for artichoke’s cholagogue and choleretic properties. Cholagogue is a substance that promotes the discharge of bile from the system while choleretic stimulates the liver’s bile production.
Cholagogue and choleretic are extremely important in the overall health of the liver. How? People suffering from liver problems tend to excrete inadequate amounts of bile and most times, the bile is not properly transported to the gallbladder. This causes an increased risk of liver damage. By adding more artichoke to your diet, you supply the body with helpful compounds that repairs, reinvigorate and detoxifies the liver.
15. Fennel and Fennel Seeds
Fennel for better liver health? You better believe it! Fennel and fennel seeds are not only high in essential vitamins, minerals and fiber, they are also used traditionally to detox the liver from harmful chemicals.
Fennel is used to treat a wide range of health problems ranging from a simple case of indigestion to chronic flatulence. It also helps dissolve kidney stones and neutralize uric acid in the tissues, making it a great herbal treatment for those suffering from gout or arthritis. This carminative herb helps aid in removing mucus and phlegm buildup in the lungs, and even removes mucus from the intestinal tract. It contains natural cleansing properties for the colon, liver, and gallbladder. It’s one hardworking superfood if we ever saw one!
Fennel seeds, on the other hand, have been used for decades to treat a wide range of liver diseases. In fact, fennel seeds are often taken as tea because it helps disengage any blockages in the liver, spleen, and biliary bladder. Fennel seeds are not only potent liver detoxifiers but they also dissolve kidney stones.
Fennel contain a multitude of phytonutrients that give it its antioxidant properties. Perhaps the most important of these when it comes to liver health is anethole. Anethole has been shown in many studies to prevent cancer and protect the liver from injury. The fennel bulb, which is rich in fiber, can decrease cholesterol levels and removes cancer-causing toxins from the colon, which reduces your risk for colon cancer.
Fennel and fennel tea are used to treat jaundice and reverse the ill effects of alcohol consumption on the liver. And to wrap up the amazing, wonderful nutritional value of fennel and fennel seeds, they prevent water retention and improve the body’s metabolic rate leading to… you guessed it – weight loss!
You can use all parts of the fennel including its base, stalk, and leaves to detoxify your liver. Here are some ideas on how to prepare it:
- Sauté fennel and onions and serve as a side dish
- Toss fennel with avocados and orange slices for a fresh salad
- Braise fennel and eat them with scallops
- Add slices of fennel into your sandwiches
December 2015
Service to others could increase your life span
I (Kay) think during the month of December, we all are more giving and generous than other months of the year. In our church, we are taught the importance and power of service throughout our lives. We have the opportunity to serve our church members on a regular basis and encouraged to serve in our community.
So what does that have to do with ALS? Within a year and a half of Kim's diagnosis, he was so compelled to help others try to beat this disease, that we put together this web site. (We could also say he was angry that we were learning that doctors around the world were telling PALS, "You have ALS, go home and prepare to die;" and that no medical professional seemed to care that he was getting better and better or had any interest in what he had done to get better.) He was even banned from ALSForum.com for trying to give hope to other PALS. We hope and pray every day that we can give others the hope and the emotional power to work to heal ALS. It is in that very act of trying to help others, that we are also helped.
A powerful example of giving to others is Eric Edney. Although he passed away in January of this year after having ALS for over 20 years (and dying of complications of a stroke and heart attack), he spent those 20 years helping others find ways to heal. He wrote a book, actually two books. He kept up his website and posted an update every month for years. There were things he could not do, but he answered hundreds of emails, even some to us and passed out encouragement wherever he could. We had contact with a lady (and her husband) in the LA area who was diagnosed with ALS. She was having dental work done and was in the waiting room with Eric Edney and spoke with him. He gave her such encouragement that she came away with renewed hope and determination. Something came up and her daughter took her back to the neurologist. We have no idea exactly what the doc said, but from that time forward, she could do nothing but cry and be depressed. She was doing many, many therapies, ours and Eric Edney's, the Deanna Protocol. But she died in the spring of 2014. All the therapies in the world are of no value, unless you have PMA (Erics's term for positive mental attitude.) The reality is that when you are sad, depressed, angry, self-centered, any or all negative emotions, your body cannot take up nutrition. Eric was serving and we believe it extended his life.
Another example: I wrote recently about David Atkinson after reading his book. After he healed, he began getting requests to help others heal from ALS as he had. He spent the majority of the rest of his life serving others, traveling to different places and training others in what he had done to heal. Because the ALS took away his ability to make a living, he would ask the people who wanted his help to pay for his transportation and food and housing expenses. His wife did work but they also had a young daughter to raise. At one time, he tried to go back to work, but his symptoms started returning. But in selflessly serving others, they did not.
I have also written about Steven from Colorado. His was a very slow progressing ALS. After a period of self-pity and anti-depressants, he decided he did not want his young son to only remember an angry old man as a dad. He began helping Jerry Lewis with the Muscular Dystrophy telethons that were so well know years ago. Here is another example of service: Jerry Lewis called Steven every week for a whole year to see how he was doing.
Evy McDonald was a nurse when she was diagnosed with ALS. She lost everything and a friend gave her a room to stay in while she was supposed to die. Instead she healed her own self-image and in the process, her body. She became a minister so she could serve others full time.
Steven Shackle was probably the first to put up a website on healing ALS. He has served tirelessly to help others. His website is full of valuable information. As an editor, radio commentator, and a journalist, he edited Eric Edney's first book.
There is a guy in central Texas that healed his ALS and helped hundreds of others do the same. We are certain that there are many, many others that have found the blessing of serving others; we just don't know about them.
So the message here is what can you do to serve others? We feel that our Heavenly Father sent us all here with a mission to fulfill. Is your ALS a message that you need to find ways to serve others more fully or find a way to be less selfish and give of the blessings of hope and faith to others? We don't know your story, but believe with all of our hearts that if we serve our fellow man (all God's children) that blessings will be returned to us in our lives.
In cleaning out the house to get ready to come south for the winter, I came across a paper that had a note written on it. "Christmas is not about presents. It is about His presence." We feel very strongly the presence that the Savior has been in our lives even more significantly the last few years, as He has helped us find ways to heal. We also feel that He has given us a mission to help others find ways to heal. Our prayers are with you that you will have a wonderful Christmas season and that you may feel His presence in your life.
Sending Christ's Blessings from Yuma, Arizona,
Kim and Kay Cherry