You’ve heard of it. You may eat it everyday. Most likely, you aren’t aware of the serious consequences it can have for your body. Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is found everywhere: grocery store shelves, restaurant menus and your kitchen pantry. While MSG’s use in Chinese take-out restaurants is well-documented, it is not confined to one type of cooking.

Joseph Mercola recently devoted his attention to the dangers of MSG in “MSG: Is This Silent Killer Lurking in Your Kitchen Cabinets?” Mercola’s coverage includes the many tests that have been conducted on the food additive over the past five decades, most of which share one common thread: a healthy diet does not include MSG.

The article uncovers the way that MSG affects your taste buds and your body by exploiting the fifth basic taste, umami. Because of this savory taste, foods with MSG taste more robust. However, this perceived extra flavor comes with extra costs to the millions of people whose bodies cannot process MSG.

Studies in the 1970s supported that up to 30 percent of the U.S. population was intolerant to MSG. With such a large portion of people adversely affected by this unnatural food aid, shouldn’t all of us be concerned with its place in our daily diets? Some medical experts, including neurosurgeon Russell Blaylock, believe that MSG can be linked to brain damage and may trigger the causes for debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Perhaps the most alarming fact regarding MSG is the Food and Drug Administration’s seemingly carefree attitude about its place in our food. While the FDA lists a number of symptoms that people with MSG Symptom Complex can experience that includes headaches, nausea and rapid heartbeats, the organization does little to ensure that shoppers know what foods carry MSG.

Mercola’s article reinforces the importance of reading the nutritional labels and ingredient statements on your food with extra caution. The article’s list of 37 ingredients used as masks for MSG prvoes that food manufacturers are aware of the negative impact MSG can have on a shopper’s opinion of the food’s safety. Looking out for these ingredients is essential to maintaining a healthy diet.

About Company

A Santa Monica, California Hydrotherapy Colonics company, TransformYourHealth.net specializes in internal body cleansing, nutrition education and wellness promotion. As a Santa Monica Hydrotherapy Colonics specialist and Palos Verdes Hydrotherapy Colonics specialist, many California residents rely on TransformYourHealth.net for hydrotherapy products, resources and information. For more information and to browse a selection of high-quality natural products, please visit TransformYourHealth.net.

Normal Bowel Function

The function of the colon is to reabsorb water, store, and evacuate stool. About two quarts of fluid and residue enter the colon from the small bowel each day. The lining of the colon actively reabsorbs water and minerals, leaving a solid, formed stool. Stool is stored in the left side of the colon. Contractions in the sigmoid colon hold the stool above the rectum. When the colon fills with stool, the stool moves into the rectum: This is sensed as an urge to defecate. The anal sphincter muscles relax and a wave of contraction in the colon pushes out a large amount of stool. This is termed a mass movement. What is Constipation? Constipation is a common problem with a variety of possible causes. This term may be used to describe several different symptoms. The normal frequency of stool passage is from three times a day to a movement every three days. Going more than three days without a bowel movement is therefore considered abnormal. Some people feel miserable if they do not defecate on a daily basis. Hard stools, straining to pass a bowel movement, or a sense of incomplete evacuation may also be termed constipation. If a person is uncomfortable as a result of bowel problems, then treatment is justified to relieve or minimize these symptoms.

Laxatives used to alleviate constipation

Laxative dependence is a frequent problem associated with constipation. Ideally, constipation should be managed solely with fiber, and laxatives should rarely be used.  Stimulant laxatives bypass normal reflexes involved in defecation. They work on the nerves and muscles in the colon. The result is strong contractions that push the stool out of the colon. With continued use, they gradually become less effective. Some examples of stimulant laxatives are senna, bisacodyl and cascara sagrada. Many herbal preparations contain various combination of stimulants. If a patient has been taking a stimulant laxative on a regular basis, it may be impossible to abruptly stop taking it. It may be necessary to continue a mild stimulant such as senna every night in addition to Miralax and adequate dietary fiber. Once a normal bowel habit has been established, the senna should be gradually tapered and eventually stopped completely. There are many long-term side-effects of abusing laxatives, such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps and flatulence.  The more serious dangers include persistent constipation (because the body becomes dependent on laxatives for a bowel movement), chemical imbalances in the blood and dehydration.  Laxative abusers risk chemical imbalances due to the loss of salts and minerals. These chemical imbalances can seriously affect the body’s electrolyte system and hinder the body’s ability to absorb vitamins.  Laxative abuse can also lead to gastrointestinal tract damage and the weakening of the intestinal musculature.  Liver disease in extreme cases is possible. Laxative abuse is particularly common with stimulant purgatives, which raises several concerns. The first concern is laxative dependence (mentioned above), in which the peristalsis (wave-like contraction of the colon) can no longer be achieved naturally and must be stimulated through various substances.  Another concern is potassium imbalance, resulting from the force movement of digestive materials and the inability of the intestines to absorb the nutrients fast enough.  Yet another concern is the possibility that laxatives could permanently damage the digestive tract after years of abuse.

Laxatives used as colon cleansers

Many colon cleanse products on the market contain harmful or addictive laxatives. A true cleanse should make your body stronger, not make it dependent. Supplements and do-it-your-self cleanses represent a big market nowadays and large pharmaceutical companies join the selling campaign. Unfortunately, to feed consumer's need for 'instant gratification', laxatives are added to many cleansing products, because the result is rapid bowel evacuation. Aside from being a harsh way to evacuate the bowels, laxative use can be habit forming, bringing the opposite effect desired by those who cleanse. Read the rest of this entry »

Very cute clip about one of our favorite subjects…colon cleansing!

We live in an age of constantly evolving health fads, 'wonder' foods and scientific discoveries relating to how we are supposed to eat. A lot of this information is confusing, passionately argued and often unsubstantiated! One of the most topical foods of the millennium is soy: it has alternately been claimed as the save-all food for the future, a virtual replacement for HRT, a super-protein, a complete alternative to meat, a dangerous carcinogen, a hotbed of GE trouble – you name it, it's been claimed! While science plays its part to work through these claims and separate fact from fiction, the following two videos delineate most of the popular claims about soy consumption, broadly, the pros and cons. We believe that (like most things in life) moderation is key and highly processed/concentrated soy (like all processed/concentrated edible goods!) should only be eaten occasionally. Video discussing health benefits of soy, particularly for post-menopausal women. Video discussing the possible dangers of soy consumption.

A documentary introducing the benefits of pilates by an instructor based in Los Angeles.

MONDAY, May 5 (HealthDay News) — The overproduction of a protein may be what starts harmless colon polyps on their journey to becoming malignant tumors, Finnish researchers report.
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The University of Helsinki research, published online in Cancer Cell, reveals that PROX1, a protein that controls formation of normal organs in embryos, is produced in excess during the early stages of cancer development. PROX1 even encourages tumor cell growth without additional signals from surrounding normal tissues.

The removal of PROX1 from cancer cells appears to reverse their malignant behavior, suggesting that future research may focus on the protein’s use in colon cancer therapies.

Men and women face a lifetime risk of nearly 6 percent for the development of invasive colorectal cancer, making it one of the most common malignancies in the Western world. Past epidemiologic studies have cited obesity and several dietary factors — including fat, red meat and a lack of vegetables and fiber — as increasing the risk of the disease.

—Kevin McKeever

SOURCE: University of Helsinki, news release, May 5, 2008

A great client of mine sent me an email today, I thought it would be nice to share this inspirational, and slight funny quote with you.

Quote for  the day: ‘Whatever you give a woman, she’s going to multiply. If you give her a  house, she’ll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she’ll give you a  meal. If you give her a smile, she’ll give you her heart. She multiplies and  enlarges what is given to her.’ So – if you give her crap, you will receive more  shit than any one human being can handle.”

Probiotics reduce colon cancer risk

Colon cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men and women. Although colon cancer is responsible for approximately 56,000 deaths annually, the death rate from this form of cancer has been dropping steadily for the past 20 years. Some researchers speculate that the lowering death rate is due to prevention and early treatment of the disease.

Lactobacillus acidophilus,a probiotic or “friendly” bacteria that inhabits the intestinal tract, may play a role in preventing colon cancer. In order to further examine L. acidophilus strains that may aid in the reduction of colon cancer risk, researchers assessed the potential anticancer properties of L. acidophilus NCFM® in rats.

Groups of rats with chemically-induced colon cancer were fed an experimental diet containing L. acidophilus NCFM for 10 weeks. Upon conclusion of the study, it was shown that cancerous lesions were reduced by 29% and 39% after rats were given a diet that contained 2% and 4% L. acidophilus NCFM, respectively. In addition, researchers concluded that the activity of beta-glucuronidase, a bacterial enzyme whose excess activity is indicated in the development of colon cancer?was also significantly reduced.

According to Dr. C. Rao and colleagues in the International Journal of Oncology, “These findings are significant because as one of the widely used probiotic organisms, NCFM has these inhibiting effects in rats without affecting the body weight, or other signs of toxicity and inflammation.”

While its full potential should be further evaluated, these results suggest that L. acidophilus NCFM may reduce the risk of colon cancer development.

Int J Oncol 1999;14(5):939-44.

Want to learn how to incorporate probiotics and other nutritional supplements into your lifestyle? You can schedule a nutritional counseling session with Jessica Zaccaro in our Santa Monica location by calling our office seven days a week, 310-399-1722.

by Eileen Silva Metabolic,Weight Control Specialist

This might surprise you . . .The average person who is neither over weight nor noticeably allergic to things, can be carrying around 7 to 25 pounds of dried fecal matter in their system!

And overweight or allergic people may be harboring a lot more than that!

The toxins from this accumulated waste matter are responsible for many body imbalances which may create common weight and health problems.

As a matter of fact, one of the most frequent complaints that women have about their figures is a Potbelly… a classic sign of Colon Toxicity! And very simple to correct with an improved health regimen.

A distended abdomen indicates the presence of a more serious colon problem… a Fecal Ball which can gather more and more layers of waste, the longer it remains.

“Virtually all weight challenges can be traced to imbalances in the colon/digestive tract, as either a primary contributor or a secondary problem which accentuates slowdowns in other critical body systems like the endocrine (glandular) system and the circulatory system.”

A round robin, domino effect is then set into motion. A toxic colon contributes to a toxic circulatory system. Soon the body is simply not able to metabolize food and fat properly… which is critical to provide energy for vitality in living.

A toxic colon… with its walls lined with mucus derived from undigested and uneliminated food substances, together with toxic residuals from medicines, preservatives, water and even the air you breathe… could be the reason you feel tired and weak most of the time!

Recently a 54-year-old woman in Atlanta, Georgia discovered during a professional colon irrigation, that her body still had a residue of barium which she was only given once when she was 7 years old… 47 years earlier!

Layers of old fecal and toxic waste can block proper digestion, nutrient absorption and waste elimination. This unhealthy state of the colon inevitably provides an excellent breeding ground for toxic poisons and parasites.

Some symptoms of parasites can include restless sleeping, fatigue, poor assimilation and absorption of nutrients, food cravings (especially for sugars and breads), as well as an inability to feel satisfied after a large meal.

“Regularity” in bowel habits really means a bowel movement after every meal… something which is almost non-existent to the McDonald’s™ fast-food generation. And to those who suffer frequent diarrhea…

Diarrhea is just as strong an indicator of colon toxicity as is constipation!

If you or anyone in your family have any of the symptoms described in this alert, you should seriously consider starting an intestinal cleansing regimen. An all natural intestinal cleanse not only helps remove accumulated mucous and hardened waste matter from your body, but also helps reverse the toxic cycle in the colon.

Using an intestinal cleansing regimen so simple… And with cleansing herbs and fibers, it is the most cost effective, comprehensive, colon intestinal cleanse available in today’s market. It’s all natural, safe, and easy to use too!

Please don’t ignore the warning signs of a serious body imbalance. Give yourself a fresh new life of fitness and vitality today. And remember . . . Your life depends on maintaining proper colon health!

Coffee Enemas – Directions

Based upon Dr. Gerson’s work. More information is available in his book, “A Cancer Therapy – Results of Fifty Cases”

Coffee Enemas help remove toxins from the liver. They often provide quick relief when fatigued, sleepy, having headaches, and when just feeling bad. They also help against spasms, pericardial (heart, throat, chest) pain and difficulties resulting from the sudden withdrawal of all intoxicating sedation.

A coffee enema, when done properly, causes the liver to produce more bile, opens the bile ducts, and causes the bile to flow. In this process, a toxic liver can dump many of its toxicants into the bile and get rid of them in just a few minutes. This can give great relief to all parts of the body, and often makes the difference between lying down and being active.

At the start of the treatment and during “flare-ups”, the bile contains poisons, produces spasms in the duodenum and small intestines, and causes some overflow into the stomach, with a resultant feeling of nausea or even vomiting of bile. In these cases, great amounts of peppermint tea are necessary to wash out bile from the stomach. Afterwards, patients feel much better. So, if this happens, drink peppermint tea.

Drinking a cup of coffee has an entirely different effect and should not be used. Drinking coffee causes the following problems: increases reflex response, lowers blood pressure, increases heart rate, causes insomnia and heart palpitation, over stimulates adrenals, irritates the stomach, and leaves a toxic residue in the body. A coffee enema when done properly will not produce these effects.

WARNING: Great care should be used when water fasting. Coffee enemas cause bile to be excreted from the liver. and the bile contains many valuable mineral salts. To lose these salts without replenishing them could be very harmful. People using many coffee enemas a day must be on a good diet of broths and fresh juices that assures the replenishing of mineral salts. When doing intestinal cleansing, one or two coffee enemas should be fine if, before the cleanse, the person passed the PH tests. Otherwise, that person should drink fresh juices, especially carrot, beet, and celery juice. Taking Best Whey will also help in replenishing the bile salts lost through coffee enemas.

With serious cases of cancer, it may be necessary to have coffee enemas every four hours, night and day, and in more serious cases, every hour.

Preparing the Coffee Enema: Take 3 Tablespoons ORGANIC Ground coffee to 1 quart water. Let it boil for 3 minutes and then simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and use at body temperature. The daily amount can be prepared at one time.

The body should be lying down on right side, with both legs drawn close to the abdomen. Breathe deeply in order to suck the greatest amount of fluid into the necessary parts of the colon. It also helps to let all the air out of the lungs and suck the gut in and out while in this position. THIS IS A RETENTION ENEMA. Please retain for 10-15 minutes. Dr. Gerson found that all the caffeine is absorbed from the fluid within 10 to 12 minutes. It goes through the hemorroidal veins directly into the portal veins and into the liver.

Peppermint Tea Preparation: Add one tablespoon of dried peppermint leaves to 2 cups (one pint) of boiling water. Let it lightly simmer for 5 minutes and strain.

Your trained Transformational Health colon hydrotherapist can also add a coffee implant to your colonic sessions if requested in advance.