Perhaps the single most insidious nutritional deficiency in America is a Vitamin B Complex deficiency. this problem is serious because most Americans , particularly children and teens, have this vitamin B deficiency, and this deficiency causes a syndrome that mimics dozens of other mental and physical conditions. A deficiency of the B complex vitamins causes B Complex Deficiency Syndrome (BCDS),  also known as the great mimicker. Millions of people are treated with powerful drugs and surgery for conditions caused by BCDS because they are diagnosed as having other conditions.

BDCS also causes more problems than all nutritional deficiencies and imbalances. And symptoms run the gamut from emotional disorders (such as depression, confusion, illogical fears, adn even suicide) to heart disorders (such as heart failure, complete heart block, cardiac arrhythmias) and more. And with children, the emotional problems are more severe and can include depression, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, mental fatigue, manic depression, paranoias thinking, hostility, rage, vague and morbid fears, and worse.

BCDS also can cause severe nerve and muscle problems. In fact, the real vitamin B complex is also known as the anti paralysis vitamin complex,  thanks primarily to vitamin B4 -the unknown B vitamin. Vitamin B4 and the other B vitamins are essential to proper nerve function in the body. Without proper nerve function, muscles suffer. And this includes the heart muscle.

BCDS can also cause beriberi of the heart. This commonly considered ancient disease still lurks in Americans, disguised as heart disease. The near paralysis that can occur with BCDS or beriberi of the heart ends up being diagnosed as congestive heart failure, bundle branch block, irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, fibrillation, or any of a dozen other names. Instead of being treated for the root cause (BCDS), patients are instead treated with drugs to force the heart to beat stronger, faster, slower, etc. Without addressing BCDS, these treatments, which do not cure heart disease and simply buy time, are akin to whipping a dying horse.

Ironically beriberi is considered a thiamine (one of the B vitamins) deficiency disease. Yet we have found that no amount of thiamine (or any other synthetic, isolated, or fractioned B vitamin) will resolve the condition. This is primarily because of the missing vitamin B4 -which is not found in any B-vitamin supplement that you can buy in stores.

Rather vitamin B4 and all the other B vitamins come from raw, organic foods and extracts. And we have learned that when it comes to serious heart problems, emotional problems, and nerve and muscle problems, B vitamins only work in their complete and proper combination. Unfortunately, the foods and extracts richest in B vitamins are those that almost no one eats, especially in the amounts needed. They include a special yeast, wheat germ, adrenals, liver, beetroot juice, rice bran, carrots, and more. Since eating pounds of these foods is impossible, we instead turn to whole-food supplements, made from these sources, and processed without heat or chemicals to maintain their vital life force. The product of choice is Cataplex B by Standard Process.

Two sides of Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B complex actually has two sides, which produce two different effects in your body. The first consists of the alcohol-soluble B vitamins, which include B4. This group of B vitamins innervates and excites, turning on nerves and muscles. This is Cataplex B. It is for people with emotional problems, heart disease, and all the conditions discussed in this article.

The other side of the B complex is a group of B vitamins that are water-soluble. This group of B vitamins relaxes and calms the system. These B vitamins are for the person who is just wound up tight, nervous, unable to relax, tense, and with and heart conditions of vasoconstriction, including high blood pressure and angina. For these people, who still desperately need B vitamins we use another product called Cataplex G. Cataplex B and Cataplex G combined provide all the B vitamins.

Here are the directions for the gall bladder flush.  I recommend you take two days for this to rest and take it easy.  If that is not a possibility, than plan to do the gall bladder flush a little later.  You can do this anytime, but during a cleanse and after a weeks worth of gall bladder support it is extra powerful!

This protocol effectively flushes the bile duct and the gallbladder organ and will help relieve symptoms of gallstones,”sludge”, weak digestion and/or the inability to digest fats properly.  This is a type of detoxification, or cleanse, and all cleanses should be done when there is adequate time for rest, access to clean pure water, and depending on the individual, a regimine of fasting or limited dietary intake.  Ideally, this cleanse is done 5-7 days after a series of colon hydrotherapy or another cleansing program.

As with all cleanses, your symptoms may worsen and feelings or fatigue, tiredness, headache, constipation, loose stools, lack or stronger appetite, and emotional sensitivity are common.  The following are helpful tools to deal with detox reactions: coffee enemas, herbal tea enemas, Epsom salt baths, salt based body scrubs, dry brushing of the thighs and buttocks, and abdominal massage.

The Procedure

 Epson Salt Mix:  1L Pure distilled water and 2 tbsp Epsom Salts

Olive Oil Mix:  1/2c organic olive oil and 1/2c organic fresh grapefruit juice ( not packaged or bottled, must be fresh squeezed)

 Day 1:  Stop all food after 2pm.  At 6 pm, 7pm, and 8pm drink 1/3 of the Epsom Salt Flush mixture.   At 10pm drink Olive Oil Mixture.  Got to bed and lay on your right side.  If you have pain or tenderness over the hypochondriac region (liver and gall bladder region) use a warm castor oil pack over the area and hot water bottle to keep the area warm.

 Day 2: You will start having bowel movements either during the early morning hours or later morning hours.  Stay close to the bathroom and limit responsibilities.  You may have a bit of cramping, gas, bloating, and/or loose stools.  This is normal.  You may continue to use castor oil packs and the hot water bottle into the next day if there is discomfort or pain in the area.  If you examine fecal material, most people will begin to pass stones and sludge during the morning hours.  Drink plenty of water and tea and rest.

On day two, eat mostly fresh and raw juices and a little bit of rice or cooked veggies is ok.  Keep it very light.  You may feel sickly, this is part of the detox reaction.  Day three, resume a light clean and minimally processed mostly fresh food diet.

Enjoy!

Nathalie Trees, L.Ac.

Trees Acupuncture

831-917-0365

N_trees@hotmail.com

Week 2           Friday the 22^nd through Thursday the 28th

SP Green Food                                                           5 capsules, 2 x a day

SP Complete in shakes and juices                           2-5 drinks per day

Whole Food Fiber                                                      1 tbsp per shake/drink

      or GastroFiber capsules                                            3 capsules, 2-3 x a day

A-F Betafood                                                              3 tablets, 2 x a day

Follow dietary strategies for week 2- loads of veggies and fruits again!

This time, start to add protein meals twice a day of lean animal protein and protein smoothies.  You are still using carbohydrates from veggies.  IF you prefer to not eat animal protein daily, you can eat 1/2 cup to 1 cup of lentils or other legume that you tolerate well.

Would love to read your comments so far!

Congratulations!  You made it through the deliciously tough part of retraining your body and your palate to eat a vast variety of vegetables and fruits.  These foods should always comprise at least 1/2 of your meal plate.  Thanks for all the comments through email and phone- I know many of you are feeling great and have already lost a few pounds.  The weight loss is just an added bonus…. really!  The magic is happening in your liver!  A healthy functioning liver naturally keeps our weight in balance as well as our hormones and cholesterol levels.  When these markers are off- think about how you have been treating your liver

So, whats next?  OK….. This is the beginning of week 2!  You all have a small bottle of a lovely little powerhouse of nutrition called “A-F Betafood“.  This is a food based blend of raw beet leaves juice, wheat germ, and liver, with some other added goodies.  This product is a food miracle for your gall bladder and your liver- our focus is on your gall bladder. Young  beet leaves are a concentrated source of something called betaine.  Betaine that is naturally occuring can help protect against liver disease.  It is also one of the B complex factors of the methyl groups whihc plays a huge role in intermediate chemical processes in the body for energy.      Betaine is also a lipotropic factor- this means that it is important in metabolizing fat and cholesterol.

And if that is not amazing enough for little beet leaves, betaine also helps convert homocysteine to methionine.  In his groundbreaking Nobel Prize worhty book “The Homocysteine Revolution”, Dr. McCulley theorizes that the heart of cardiovascular disease has little to do with LDL (the unfairly labeled “bad” cholesterol) and everything to do with homocysteine metabolism.  His work was Nobel worthy and groundbreaking, however, it conflicted with the current medical dogma and has received little attention until recently.

By taking AF Betafood for a week we are prepping our gall bladders and livers for an amazing biochemical “tune up” called a gall bladder cleanse!  The recommended dose is 6-9 per day.  If you have a history of gall bladder pain or tenderness or sludge or stones, take 9-12 per day.  If you have no history take 6 per day.  Even if you decide that the gall bladder cleanse is not for you, still take the AF Betafood.  Your gall bladder will thank you!

FYI:  The classic profile of a patient with an emergency gall bladder event is female, in her 40′s, still fertile and above healthy body weight.  Choose to be the un-statistic!

Warmly,

Nathalie

Detoxification Strategy #2- Whole Body Cleansing

Warm Bath with Clay or Epsom Blend

Bathing is an important part of the detoxification process that targets all the internal organs, the lymphatic system, and the circulatory system.  The detox bath is unique in that it stimulates the release of toxins from the circulatory and lymphatic system through the pores and sweat and eases the toxic load to the organs ina passive and relaxing way, instead of through exercise!  During a detoxification period, the organs are processing all the released toxins and packaging them for removal- this requires a lot of work!   By using a specialized detox bath, such as the products from magnetic clay bath, it is also possible to deepen the cleanse and encourage the elimination of heavy metals.  A detoxification bath is calming and can ease symptoms of detoxification such as headaches, sluggish bowels, stress and agitation, and to produce generalized feelings of calmness.

There are many ways to create a detox bath, but let’s focus on two types for our purposes.  During detoxification,  use a clay mineral bath or an Epsom blend bath.  The clay mineral bath is the strongest and ideal for people who have had exposure to heavy metals (all of us), radiation, chemotherapy, and a number of pharmaceutical drugs.  The clay mineral bath blend is purchased directly from www.magneticclay.com.  There are several blends that are appropriate for your cleanse- I recommend the “Clear Out Detox” bath to begin, however, you can choose one that is more specific if necessary..  Follow the direction on the box and website.

The Epsom salt blend is also detoxifying and you can make this one at home.  The Epsom salt bath is ideal for pain, inflammation, and it calms the nervous system.  Use one cup of the following: Epsom salts, sea salts, and baking soda and mix together in a large container with a lid.  Use 1-3 cups per bath, depending on how you are feeling.  The more fatigued you feel the stronger the bath should be.

1. Use detoxification Strategy #1- Dry Brushing prior to Detox Baths.  It opens the pores and stimulates blood flow to the surface of the skin, making it easier to expel toxins.
2. Run a warm, not hot, bath and use Epsom blend or the clay mineral bath.  For the clay mineral bath, follow all directions on the box.  Add product.
3. Drink an electrolyte while you are soaking in the tub.  Examples of an electrolyte are warm/ cool herbal tea, coconut water, pedialyte, or warm water with honey and lemon.  Soak for 20 to 60 minutes.  Rinse and dry off.
4. Wrap yourself in warm cozy clothes and go right to bed and sleep a minimum of 8 hours.  You will likely sleep very deeply!  If it is too early to go to bed, then rest or engage in non-strenuous activities.  Keep warm and covered up!

We are Day 5 into our Detoxification and Purification Program!  You are doing it!  What might have felt like the impossible is actually very possible once you put your mind to it.  The feedback I have been getting is that many of us are feeling incredible eating just veggies and smoothies.  Just two days to go!

Here are some yummy things I have making during my cleanse here:

 Tropical Green Smoothie

2 bananas

1 cup fresh organic blueberries

1 small container fresh pineapple

6 dino kale leaves, chopped

2 cups coconut water

4 scoops SP Complete powder

Blend thoroughly, adding more water or coconut water as necessary.  Yummy!

Ginger and Turmeric Tea

 3 -1” pieces of fresh ginger

3 -1” pieces of fresh turmeric

Place in enamel or ceramic pot, add about 3-5 cups of water, depending on the size of the pot.  Gently simmer for two hours, or until the color of the tea is a beautiful deep and rich yellow.  Drink as is, or add more hot water for weaker tea and raw honey for sweetness.  You can also use this as a base for sauces, smoothies, or soups.

Ginger is a well known digestive aid and antiparastic (think pickled ginger with sushi).  The turmeric is also a digestive aid that has a stronger anti cancer and anti inflammatory action than ginger.  Together the two are wonderful easing gas, bloating, stomach flu, or warding off impending cooties.