PARASITES in our Body

  

Billions of people are harboring parasites in their bodies without any knowledge.  The notion that parasitic infections can only occur in poor, undeveloped or developing countries is a fallacy.  In USA, a random check showed eight out of ten people are unwilling hosts to one or more of the 1000-plus species of parasites.

Parasites live in and upon other organisms, from which they rob the host’s nutrition and secretes toxins into the body causing tissue damage, diseases, infections, pains and a vast number of other symptoms that are commonly blamed on other illnesses even medical experts are unable to explain.  The symptoms can be chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, allergies, anemia, constipation, diarrhea, gas and stomach bloating, teeth grinding, cyst lumps, abnormal weight, joint and muscle pain, vaginal irritation and immune dysfunction.

For health reason, more people are eating raw foods such as vegetables, fish and oysters without realising the danger lurking.  Parasites find their way into the body through food, water, insects such as mosquito, pets and in some cases person-to-person contact.

To avoid contamination, wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly and cook meat and fish before eating.  Purified water should only be taken as small parasites can pass through the filtration process and/or resistant to chemicals used for water treatment.

To avoid exposing to this menace is impossible. Adopt good hygiene practices like washing hands before eating, after going to the bathroom and contact with pets. Note that parasites can survive up to 2 months beneath our fingernails. Animals are known to transmit 240 diseases to humans through these agents. Do not walk with bare feet on soil because a handful of it contains thousands of microscopic parasites.

A parasite is capable of producing up to 200,000 eggs daily.  Some are so tough to live up to 20 years in the body before causing any problem.  Hence, we can also cleanse our body internally for prevention and elimination.

Parasites can be categorised into 4 types:

+  Protozoa (single-cell parasite such as amoebae, cryptosporidum and giardia)

+  Trematoda (roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and pinworm)

+  Cestoda (tapeworm)

+  Nematoda (flukes)

Each parasite has its own characteristics, habitats and life cycle, which may have 3 stages -  eggs, larvae and adults. Drugs administered on different kinds of parasites at different stage is difficult without causing side effects in the human body.

VIVA corner

VIVA Biogarlic has sulfur compounds like Allicin and Ajuene in garlic extracts that are effective in resisting bacteria, fungus and parasitic growth.  It works by strengthening our body’s T cell and Macrophage, thus enhancing the bioactivity of natural killer cells, to combat a wide spectrum of parasites.

VIVA Cleanse Tea helps to remove the waste and toxins accumulated from the breeding of the parasites and

VIVA Floraguard to re-colonise the gastrointestinal tract with friendly bacteria to prevent further attacks.

Adapted from The Worm Crisis by Dr Hazel Cheng, VIVA Life Science.

Dreadful BUGS on the skin

HERPES


Make no mistake about it. The chance of harboring this silent and resilient virus is high for most of us, young and old. Stop wondering where it came from and learn how to cope with it.

Herpes has been known for at least 2,000 years. It is said that Emperor Tiberius banned kissing in Rome for a time due to so many people having cold sores which are blisters around the mouth or on the lips - a common fact of life, related to neurological disorder. They are caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type I, acquired mainly during childhood. 

Beside mouth lesion, infections also appear on the outer layers of the eye, especially the conjunctiva and cornea. This is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, such as through infected saliva and direct contact with the sores. There is little risk as up to 80% of people would have antibodies against it by the time they reach adulthood. Anyway, such infections are rarely serious or fatal except when the virus attacks certain areas such as the brain in extremely ill or vulnerable people.

+ Type II is associated with genital herpes. It causes sores, blisters or a rash to form around the genitals 3-6 days after sexual contact. It becomes painful, especially when one is walking or urinating. It may last for 3 weeks or so and the sores heal without treatment. Then at unpredictable intervals, attacks are likely to recur, with each session lasting a few days to two weeks. The frequencies can vary with one's emotional stress, fever, premenstrual changes, sexual intercourse and other factors.

As with almost all sexually transmitted infections, women are more susceptible to acquiring genital herpes than men. They can be silent carrier of the disease with no noticeable symptoms if the infection is on the cervix.

Practicing safe sex and abstaining from skin-to-skin contact with herpes sores can help to prevent the spread of the infection. There is currently no cure for genital herpes. Even after fixing up the problem, attack may recur repeatedly.


Note: Cross-infections could occur from oral-genital contact, so that one can get type II infections of the mouth and Type I of the genitals.


How to keep the bug at bay -

• Triggers include sun exposure (especially ultra-violet B rays), stress and lowered immune system (eg. HIV and cancer-related immune suppression)
• While the virus can never be completely eradicated, anti-viral creams and oral anti-viral medications can shorten the duration of the attacks
•  Grab a cold drink and press it against the sore intermittently for 15 minutes for a quick relief
•  Garlic is proven to be a murder on pathogens including most viruses. It can be applied on both oral and genital herpes
•  Echinacea extract seems to be capable of eradicating oral herpes
• As the virus can survive for a brief time outside the body, beware of risks in sharing personal belongings or using toilet seats.
• For pregnant women with herpes, have regular tissue cultures taken during the final weeks before delivery. She can opt for vaginal delivery if no active sores are present in her vagina or labia. The danger of a baby born with fatal brain infection is high if precautions are not carefully observed.
• Large doses of the amino acid lysine (about 1000 mg per day) appear to promote healing.
  

Other noteworthy points -

1. Not to share items that come into contact with the mouth.
2. Practice good hygiene and hand-washing habits.
3. Avoid contact sports, kissing and touching the sores.
4. Do not consume citrus fruits and juices while the virus is active.
5. Foods with high level of the amino acid arginine should be avoided as it promotes outbreaks eg. chocolate, peanuts and soybeans.
6. Lysine is an amino acid from foods such as yogurt, fish, potatoes and brewer’s yeast which seems to inhibit the virus.
7. To avoid a nasty outbreak, alternative stress relief method such as yoga, taiqi or medication can quell tension and increase immune-system cells.

Fortunately for most people, episodes of active disease should reduce in frequency and severity over time.


As compared to HPV......


Another variation is genital warts generally caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are about 100 different strains of HPV out there with more than 40 of them affecting the genitals like type 6 & 11. It has been found that half of all men could be an unwilling carrier for the genital strain without their knowledge. Research finding suggests men likely to catch HPV by having multiple sexual partners, regardless of sexual preference. Men of all age groups are at a high risk for catching new HPV infections throughout their life.


This is a sexually transmitted infection that has been linked to certain cancers like in high strain type 16 & 18 becoming cervical cancer amongst women who are constantly infected and in some instances - cancers of the penis, anus, vulva and vagina. Hence, women who have contracted the viru should have a Pap smear twice a year. This fast, simple and inexpensive test can help detect cervical cancer in its early stages, when it can almost always be cured. Note that this virus is capable of attacking any tissue and organ, including the brain.

Late treatment can be due to HPV being more difficult to diagnose than oral herpes, since most infected persons have no classical symptoms displayed for a prolonged period. Further confusing diagnosis may exhibit other conditions resembling genital herpes, including fungal infection, lichen planus, atopic dermatitis and urethritis.

Visible symptoms are as follows:
-  Itching and burning on the genitals, buttocks and upper thighs.
-  Flu-like symptoms (eg sore throat) and pain during urination.
-  Small growths or bumps that may grow together after 3 months to look like cauliflower and are often painless.


HPV infections can be prevented by practicing safe sex and receiving the HPV vaccine. The FDA-approved Gardasil vaccine could reduce the risk of contracting other sexually transmitted infections as well.


Upon contracting the virus, remedial actions to be taken include:

+ Apply topical creams, or destroy using liquid nitrogen, laser or an electric current.

+ Take raw garlic as it is known to contain both antibacterial and antiviral properties, either orally or crushed to apply on surrounding skin.

+ See a healthcare provider promptly as genital warts have been linked to cervical cancer. For larger warts CO2 laser surgery may be recommended. Do not attempt to cut or burn a wart off yourself.

+ Keep genital warts dry, do not rub or irritate it. Wear only cotton underwear. Avoid sexual intercourse until the warts are completely healed.

A word of caution. Virus remaining on the skin can re-enter the body if there is a cut. As the virus is difficult to be eradicated, always keep your immunity strong.


For most people who can endure the discomfort without treatment, the virus may drop off eventually but the time taken to clear varies. One study showed it took “significantly longer” for infections with any type of HPV to clear in men aged 18 to 30 than in other age groups.


HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE (HFMD)

This is an infectious disease caused by a family of viruses called Enteroviruses, particularly Coxsackie virus. Though it is moderately contagious, spreading through saliva, throat discharges, fluid from blisters, or stools of infected persons are all possibilities.

Who at risk?

2/3 of sufferers are children under 5 years old as their immunity tend to be lower.  Chance of adult affected is not high as their own immune system provide good defence.

What are the symptoms?

It starts with small ulcers appearing on the throat and tonsils, and rash with small blisters on the hands, (more on palm side), feet (more on the sole side) and diaper area. The rash may also be present on the buttocks, arms and legs. It does not itch and usually heal within a week.  The child may develop fever, lose appetite, have running nose and headache.

Complications?

Severe ulcers in the mouth can be very painful. This makes food and drink intake difficult and may result in dehydration. Persistent vomiting/diarrhea coupled with a reduced fluid intake worsens the condition.

The brain, lung or heart may be infected occasionally if contracted the fatal EV 71 strain with serious complications including:

• Severe headache, giddiness and neck stiffness
• Disorientation, drowsiness and/or irritability
• Fits
• Breathlessness or turning blue

During the 2000 and 2001 outbreak, it claimed seven children’ lives.

Treatable?

There is no specific treatment for the infection other than symptomatic relief of symptoms. No vaccine is available yet to combat the viruses and antibiotics is not effective. If you suspect your child has HFMD, please bring him/her to see the family doctor. Ease your child s discomfort and help your child recover :

• Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids
• Change to a soft diet (e.g. porridge, pureed fruit) if the mouth ulcers are a problem
• Medications may be prescribed by the doctor to relieve fever and pain
• Ensure your child gets plenty of rest by keeping him/her at home
• Good air ventilation is important to prevent virus from easy contamination. 

OTHER PATHOGENS



Other types of pathogens can be critical, resulting in outbreak of chickenpox, shingles, auto-immune disorders, mononucleosis, bone cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome and infection of the lymphatic system. Patients with immature or suppressed immune systems, such as newborns, transplant recipients or AIDS patients are prone to severe complications from such infections.


For most people infections may have come and gone without any visible symptoms, and do not know that the virus is hibernating. In fact, it travels the nerve pathways and nests at the bundle of nerves at the base of the spine. For some people, the virus can lay dormant there until stress, illness or fatigue reactivates it, triggering a nerve response in the coronary artery that may lead to a dangerous clotting followed by a heart attack.


Conclusion


At the moment, the medical world has not found a cure for these bugs and may have to continue to depend on antibiotics. A good immune system can track down foreign particles and destroy it before they get to harm the body. Hence, keeping immunity strong is of paramount importance at all times.


VIVA corner

VIVAshield with its potent 4 in 1 antioxidants helps to prevent sores and inhibit the growth of the virus. VIVA Biogarlic has immune-enhancing properties and is a natural antibiotic against viral infection. VIVA Floraguard to repopulate the friendly bacterial in the guts for a stronger immune system.

VIVA Dailyguard offers a comprehensive nutritional package to cope with the stress the body is undergoing this trying period especially for those with weakening immune system.

VIVA Ageguard contains high content of lysine to aid in recovery.

How CELLS work (I)

 ­

At a microscopic level, we are all composed of cells. Scientists estimate that our bodies contain anywhere from 75 to 100 trillion cells of 200 different types.


Basically, to ­understand how your body works, you need to understand cells. Everything from reproduction to infections to repairing a broken bone happens down at the cellular level. This study can also provide vital new insights into the basis and treatment of numerous human diseases, including among others - cancer, diabetes, retinal degeneration, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis and mental retardation.


Functions

Cells perform vital roles of breaking down complex molecules to provide structure and stability, and generate energy to facilitate various biological functions for our continued existence. Hence, it is known as the building block of life.



Types


To elaborate further, these cells are divided into about 200 differen­t types. For examples, our muscles are made of muscle cells, our brains of brain cells, and there are even very specialized types of cells that make the enamel for our teeth or the clear lenses in our eyes.

To start off, each cell consists of trillion of molecules. Components such as DNA, RNA, proteins, glycans and lipids have defined molecular properties and interactive biological activities. Is hard to visualize how microscopic it is. The closer comparison is approximately 10000 cells crowding the head of a pin.
Each cell is able to respond to its environment and to communicate with other cells to create tissues, organs and systems.


Hence, tissues are groups of cells with both a shared structure and function. Animal tissues are usually woven together with extracellular fibers and are held together by a sticky substance that coats the cells. Different types of tissues can also be arranged together to form organs. 

Life span

Cells have varying life spans based on the type and function of the cell. They can live anywhere from a few days to a year. Certain cells of the digestive tract (eg stomach) live for only 6 days, immune system cells up 6 weeks, and skin up to 28 days. Pancreatic cells can live for as long as a year and our bone marrow renews every 7 years. In a total perspective, 200 million cells are dying every minute and nourishment is so crucial for the reconstruction of these new cells. 


Composition

Human’s cells are made of water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, aminos and traces of other elements. Simply put, your body is about 20% protein by weight, 60% water and the balance composed of minerals.

- The digestive system breaks all proteins down into their amino acids so that they can enter the bloodstream (termed 'catabolic'). Cells then use the amino acids as building blocks to create enzymes and structural proteins (termed 'anabolic') with the aid of steroidal hormones. The primary purpose of an enzyme is to enable the cell to carry out chemical reactions very quickly such as to build or take things apart as needed.

For instance, people who are lactose intolerant do not have the enzyme lactase in their intestinal cells to break down the sugar in milk (lactose) into its glucose components and thus cannot be digested. This problem shows how the lack of just one enzyme in the human body can lead to problems but can be resolved by simply taking the right enzyme supplement. Also, many different toxins can cause an imbalance in the mix of the enzymes floating in the cell’s cytoplasm.

- Trace elements like magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium found commonly in vegetables and seafood help in oxygen intake and acidity reduction. When oxygen is blocked, toxic accumulates and when overloaded gives rise to mutation of abnormal cells. Risk of cancer can increase by 100 folds for this reason.


In essence, an unhealthy cell is unable to function well and nutrients cannot be utilized by the body effectively.

Structural components

The Plasma cell membrane — This outer lining serves to separate and protect a cell from its surrounding environment and is made mostly from a double layer of proteins and lipids, fat-like molecules.


About 50% of this cell membrane consists of essential fatty acids. That explains why we need good fats. When this layer is broken, fat droplets penetrate to the inner core and envelope the entire structure, pushing the nucleus out of its position to anywhere within. As the first line of defence, the membrane protects cells from harmful damage by free radicals with antioxidants.

Free radicals are molecules produced from environmental contaminants such as radiation, polluted air and smoke. Even clean air we breathe in can lead to cell oxidation, resulting in gradual biological deterioration. Major health problems like heart disease, cancer and even aging (recognised as a disease now) are due to the damaging effects of free radicals. Three powerful antioxidants – Vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene can attack free radicals lying in the biological fluids outside the cells.

Nucleus – It is the membrane-surrounded compartment that houses and protect the DNA genes from damage. It is here the process of replication takes place where DNA is copied and mutate. This becomes the determining factor of your height, eye color, personality and many other personal attributes.

Under proper control, bad genes can be suppressed and good genes expressed.

SOD and catalase are two enzymes that can attack the most dangerous free radical superoxide around the nucleus.

Ribosome: This is an extremely complex and amazing enzyme that reads messenger RNA produced from the DNA, and converts it into amino-acid chains to carry out its specific reaction.  Given that protein synthesis is of vital important to all cells, a large number of ribosomes, running into hundreds or even thousands can be found throughout a cell.

Vitamin B aids in protein metabolism, and acts as a coenzyme in DNA and RNA synthesis.

Mitochondria: Termed the ‘powerhouse’ mitochondria uses oxygen to release energy by converting glucose (derived from carbohydrate) to ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP acts like a battery of sorts, storing energy until it is needed for day-to-day living.

CoQ10 is responsible for the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy source in the cell and acts as an antioxidant in the body that can neutralise free radicals by providing its own electrons.

Golgi: Proteins to be exported are passed to the Golgi apparatus for further processing, packaging and transport to a variety of other cellular locations.

Normal cell protection

In most cases, the immune system is capable of detecting infected cells and producing antibodies to destroy them. The proteins secreted also bind to the viral particles and prevent them from attaching to new cells. Even abnormal cells are usually detected and destroyed by the natural killer cells of the immune system.

However, in those unattended or weak cases, the infected cell is so full of new viral particles that it eventually bursts, freeing the particles to attack unaffected cells. The speed at which a virus can reproduce and infect other cells can be alarming. The contagious spread of abnormal cells can be fatal in some cases.

Vitamin A and D found inside the cell can help to prevent abnormal growth and for better absorption of some other minerals.

Abnormal cell growth

The biological process entails the close monitoring of the cell for DNA damage and inability to perform critical actions. If this system detects a cell being damaged or infected, a network of signaling molecules instructs this cell to stop dividing and initiate the move to repair the damage or execute programmed cell death or apoptosis. This is to ensure that the damaged cell is not further multiplied. Scientists discovered a certain protein known as p53 that acts to accept signals provoked by DNA damage. It responds by stimulating the production of inhibitory proteins that then halt the DNA replication process.

Without proper p53 function, DNA damage can be unchecked, resulting in the birth of cancer. A mineral – selenium containing p53 is clinically proven to help in reducing the incidence of cancer by suffocating cancer cells (apoptosis) and chromosomal damage.

Antibiotics protect cells?

Over-reliance on any antibiotic is bad because it becomes ineffective over time. As bacteria reproduce so quickly, the probability for mutations is so high that the antibiotic is unable to wipe off all of them completely. In the event, any one of them is left behind and mutates, it can develop resistance against the antibiotic, reproduce quickly and then spread around. Most bacterial diseases have become immune to some or all of the antibiotics used against them through this process.

It is also known that prolonged use of antibiotics can upset the natural balance in our eco-systems. Antibiotics not only wipe out some of the harmful bacteria but also most of the good, life-supporting bacteria.

As the vast majority of these microbes found within the digestive tract do not stay for more than a day in our body, constant replenishment is required for a strengthened immune system.

Conclusion

Having understood the importance of nutrition in relation to healthy cell development and regeneration, we need to know that recommended RDA guideline is merely to provide borderline health and prevent deficiency disease.

 

In the event of any dis-ease occurring, there is an urgent need to utilise more specific nutrients to put the house in order.

To-date, the medical world can only find solutions to attend to cellular dysfunction. There is much more to discover at molecular level to tackle free radicals which are of molecular structure. This can perhaps be addressed only with the right nutrition.


Keep your cells in good condition at all times and they will repay you with good health throughout your lifetime!

VIVA corner

The products recommended are meant to address your specific needs or daily maintenance:


TO CLEANSE –


+  VIVA Green Barley contains all the vitamins and enzymes to counteract the more dangerous free radicals that have penetrated the inner cell.


+  VIVA Cellpex contains milk thistle to remove nasty toxins at cellular level and inhibit inflammatory enzymes, especially in the detoxifying organ - liver.

TO COUNTERACT ABNORMAL CELL –


VIVA Selenium to protect the DNA and cause apoptosis for damaged cells and VIVA Germanium to stimulate the production of killer cells and boost the immune system.

TO REBUILD/NOURISH -

+  VIVA Ageguard/Vivaplus for the amino acids to provide the building blocks for cell formation;
+ VIVA Oxypower to enable cells to utilise oxygen more efficiently and neutralise free radicals, so as to expedite cell recovery;
+ VIVA Floraguard to introduce abundant friendly bacteria for an enhanced immune system.

+  VIVA Dailyguard for a strong healthy foundation with all the vitamins and minerals provided;

+ VIVA Omega3 to provide the essential fatty acids for reconstruction of the cell membrane;

To PROTECT


Vivashield has the combination of Vitamin A, beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and selenium to offer overall protection against free radical attacks.

ANTIBIOTICS versus SUPERBUGS

 

Antibiotics have been around for decades, and are beneficial to society in many ways such as wiping out infectious diseases. However, it is a known fact that extended usage can upset the natural balance in our eco-systems. True they are capable of wiping out some of the harmful bacteria but most of the good, life-supporting bacteria are not spared too. Some equate it to weapon of mass destruction. In the ancient West, it is a legal offence for a medical practitioner not to prescribe probiotics after a course of medicated drug.

 

History
    
Alexander Fleming is credited with discovering penicillin, considered the first modern antibiotic drug in 1928. In those days, natural substances derived from molds and fungi were generally free from serious side effects but could work only against certain types of bacteria. In fact, just four years after producing penicillin in 1943, microbes began appearing that could resist it. Its known side effects include a rash, swelling of the tongue and face, and difficulty breathing. In fact, penicillins, cephalosporins and some other antibiotics may undermine the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

 

In modern times.....

To combat the wide range of bacteria, more and more powerful synthetic drugs have been developed over the years. Given their potencies to eliminate all bacteria in the large intestine, they tend to produce drastic side effects like allergic reactions, nausea, gastro-intestinal upsets, diarrhoea, headaches and yeast infections. It is found that up to 1 in 5 people on antibiotics stop taking their full course of antibiotic therapy due to diarrhoea. In extreme cases, the side effects can be as serious as kidney damage, cancer and liver toxicity.

For the past few decades, only a handful of antibiotics have been developed and new ones have yet to be discovered to treat with emerging, mutating infections as new ‘superbugs’ evolved resistant to existing drugs. The fear is that when one admits to hospital for minor surgery may die due to an ordinary infection that cannot be treated by antibiotics anymore. Cases of totally drug resistant tuberculosis and gonorrhoea are spreading like wildfire round the world in recent years.

Cold treatment?

Most upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold and sore throats are generally caused by such viruses. There are more than 200 types of virus, of which the most common one is rhinovirus, known to attack the mucous membranes of our ear, nose and throat to give rise to infection.

Antibiotics has the ability to kill and inhibit the growth of such bacteria. However, to handle the common cold virus, it is not appropriate. Though cold can simply go off after a week duration, people are unable to wait given their work and familial responsibility. Also, it can be mistaken with bacterial sinus infection sharing common symptoms like dark mucous, toothache, one-sided facial pain and headache, which requires drug medication.

As much as the patient fearing to recover fast enough, doctors are scared to lose their patients to other medical practitioners. Hence to avoid losing the business, doctors would succumb to the patients’ demands for antibiotics. Patients may not realise that by consuming too much antibiotics, they can develop antibiotic resistance, meaning the body gets accustomed and the medicine loses its effect. The Evolution theory demonstrates that any organism, bacteria included, is capable of withstanding an antibiotic attack over time.

How antibiotic works?

Although there are a number of different types of antibiotic they all work in one of two ways:

• A bactericidal antibiotic usually either interferes with the formation of the bacterium’s cell wall or its cell contents.

• A bacteriostatic stops bacteria from multiplying.

Side effects

To combat the wide range of bacteria, more and more powerful synthetic drugs have been developed over the years, causing more side effects. Below is a list of the most common ones:

• Diarrhea
• Allergic reactions
• Nausea
• Gastro-intestinal upsets
• Feeling and being sick
• Fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract and vagina
• Formation of kidney stones (when taking sulphonamides)
• Abnormal blood clotting (when taking some cephalosporins)
• Sensitivity to sun (when taking tetracyclines)
• Blood disorders (when taking trimethoprim)
• Deafness (when taking erythromycin and the aminoglycosides)
• Cancer
• Liver toxicity
• Obesity for babies who are exposed to antibiotics

What to do next?

Medicine should serve the purpose of treating a host of healthy problems. Hence, when prescribed unnecessarily, it can end up doing more harm than good. You may like to consider taking probiotics and prebiotics to compensate for the error made and focus on building a stronger health foundation.

Replenishment of Probiotics cultures of “good” microorganisms similar to those normally found in the gut need to be promoted to restore the microbial balance disrupted by antibiotics and infections. The effects of probiotics doses are short-lived and thus it should be taken throughout a course of antibiotic therapy. To keep yourself healthy at all times, prebiotics and probiotics should be a daily affair.

As antibiotics only “beat up” the bacteria, why not let the body’s natural antibodies do the actual killing? If your immune system is unable to handle the load, consider adding natural antibiotics which are found in foods such as garlic, radish, olive leaf extract, tea tree oil, coconut oil and bee propolis. They are effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria as well as against viruses, yeast, protozoa and other micro-organisms. Like antibiotics, they wipe off both the good and bad bacteria, and therefore re-population of the good ones is necessary too.

Recommendation

If you are taking an antibiotic do not take other medicines or herbal remedies without telling your doctor first. OTC (over the counter, non-prescription) medicines might also clash with your antibiotic.

VIVA corner

+ VIVA Biogarlic with 33 different types of sulfur compounds and other potent nutrients is a natural substitute for antibiotics. In concentrated form, it is anti-bacteria and anti-viral, prevents cold and flu. Scientific experiments show that 100 mg of garlic extract has similar effect as 10 mg of penicillin of anti-bacterial action.

+ Scientists found that antioxidant nutrients – Vitamin A, C, E and selenium, when combined have synergistic effect in combating free radicals, inhibiting or slowing down their attack on cells. Vivashield is the first product in the world to boast this 4-in-1 combination as a fast remedy to a common cold.

+  As the digestive system is lacking in friendly bacteria, make up the difference by introducing a scoop of VIVA Floraguard daily containing 10 billion CPU with both prebiotics and probiotic present to provide full coverage.

Can GARLIC fight cancer?

Since ancient times, garlic has been used for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory curative properties before the arrival of antibiotics.

 

Garlic is a vegetable belonging to the Allium class of bulb-shaped plants, including onions, chives, leeks and scallions. It is commonly used for flavoring in cooking and is unique because of its high sulfur content. Other components found include arginine, oligosaccharides, flavonoids and selenium - all of which are beneficial to health.

The characteristic odor and flavor of garlic comes from sulfur compounds formed from allicin, the major precursor of garlic’s bioactive compounds, which are formed when garlic bulbs are chopped, crushed or damaged. Present in it are 33 different type of sulphur compounds (including Ajoene, allicin), 17 types of amino acids (all essential acids), germanium, selenium, calcium, copper, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc and vitamin A, B1, C.

Many conclusive studies have shown that garlic extracts are effective in resisting bacteria (staphylococcus, salmonella etc), fungus (candida ablicans, aspergilllus, niger), virus and other pathogens. This is very useful against prevention and treatment of cold and flu too. In fact, a 100mg of garlic extract (Allicin) has the same effect as 10 mg penicillin of anti-bacterial action.

Types of garlic preparations

Garlic fried in oil to add flavor to some main dishes loses much of its medicinal properties that can reduce blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease and renal failure.

Garlic supplements come in different forms:

• Garlic essential oil is obtained by passing steam through garlic. Commercially available garlic oil capsules generally contain vegetable oil, but only have a small amount of garlic essential oil because of its strong odor.
• Garlic oil macerate products are made from encapsulated mixtures of whole garlic cloves ground into vegetable oil.
• Garlic powder is produced by slicing or crushing garlic cloves, then drying and grinding them into powder. This is used as a flavoring agent for condiments and food and is thought to retain the same ingredients as raw garlic.
• Garlic extract is made from whole or sliced garlic cloves that are soaked in an alcohol solution for varying amounts of time. Also available in powdered form.

Health benefits

+ For cardiovascular disease, garlic is effective in preventing thrombus (a blood clot formed inside an intact blood vessel) and helps to regulate irregular heartbeat. Its Ajoene content has been clinically tested and proven to be able to inhibit the formation of blood clots and regulate fibrinolytic activity, resulting in lowering of triglyceride and LDL cholesterol.

+ Garlic contains plenty of nutrients which as a detoxifying agent and helps to boost the immune system. The sulfur compounds in it can bind with plumbum, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and other heavy metals, to be expelled from the body.  As most of the processed foods is laced with harmful substances such as additives, coloring, preservative and flavoring, clearing them is crucial before any major damage occurs to the body.

+ Its vital components - Allicin, germanium, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, B1 and C can strengthen T cell and Macrophage, thus enhancing the bioactivity of natural killer cells to boost the immune system quickly.

+  Loaded with antioxidants essential to delay aging, improve rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain and other chronic diseases.

Can garlic prevent cancer?

Several population studies show an association between high intake of garlic and allium vegetables, and reduced risk of certain cancers, especially cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, intestines and breast.

However, few clinical trials have been done on humans to examine the potential anticancer effects of garlic to-date. 

 

Allicin, selenium and germanium in garlic have been found to be effective anti-cancerous components. Basically, they block the formation of cancer-causing substances, halt the activation of cancer-causing substances, enhance DNA repair, reduce cell proliferation or induce cell death.

Even for patients who have undergone chemotherapy, garlic helps to inhibit the duplication and biosynthesis reaction of DNA in cancer cell. Since allicin works synergistically with chemo drugs, it may reduce the dosage required, thus minimising their side effects.

 

As all garlic preparations are not the same, it is difficult to determine the exact amount of garlic that may be needed to reduce cancer risk. Also, the active compounds present in garlic may lose their effectiveness with time, handling and processing.

In summary, the benefits are:

+  Anti-oxidation properties prevent active oxygen from damaging cells
+  Suppresses the cancer cell signal transmission function
+  Promotes apoptosis (death) of cancer cells
+  Enhances immunity to destroy cancer cells

Daily dosage

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for general health promotion for adults is a daily dose of 2 to 5 g of fresh garlic (approximately one clove), 0.4 to 1.2 g of dried garlic powder, 2 to 5 mg of garlic oil, 300 to 1,000 mg of garlic extract, or other formulations that are equal to 2 to 5 mg of allicin.

Safety considerations

Although garlic has been used safely in cooking, excessive consumption can cause some side effects, other than strong breath and body odors.

+ Garlic occasionally causes allergies that can range from mild irritation to potentially life-threatening problems. Consuming fresh garlic bulbs, extracts or oil on an empty stomach may occasionally cause heartburn, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

+ In some animal and human studies, garlic can lower blood sugar levels and increase insulin. Diabetic patients have to be careful with its usage.

 + Garlic has been shown to interfere with several prescription drugs, especially the HIV medication saquinavir (brand names Invirase® and Fortovase®). In some instances, it can lower the serum levels of saquinavir by almost half.

+ Garlic also acts as a natural blood thinner to be avoided by pregnant women, patients undergoing surgery, and those taking blood thinners, such as warfarin.

+ Garlic bulbs are sometimes contaminated with the bacterium Clostridium botulinum which can grow and produce botulinum toxin in garlic-in-oil products that are not refrigerated and do not contain antibacterial agents.

+ Chemical burns, contact dermatitis, and bronchial asthma can occur when garlic is applied to the skin.

+ Garlic should be avoided by people who are prone to stomach conditions like ulcers, as it can worsen the condition or cause new ones.

 

+  As garlic wipes off our intestinal bacteria like antibiotics, replenishing friendly bacteria is much encouraged.

VIVA corner

VIVA Biogarlic is highly concentrated under low temperature to retain the bioactivity of Allicin and Ajoene. It contains capsicum, rutin, phytochemicals and other bioflavonoids, which are added to enhance absorption. The strong combination is beneficial for maintaining the cardiovascular system health and immune system health.

VIVA LIPOGUARD is the first product around that combines the goodness of fish oil and garlic with other proprietary ingredients such as antioxidants, phytochemicals and lecithin. The high concentration of EPA (30%) and DHA (20%) enables its efficacy to better many other fish oil products available in the market. The Garlic juice contained therein is in a concentrated form using high technology processing techniques under a low temperature to maintain the potency of Allicin in the garlic can help to lower triglycerides and cholesterol. An FDA report reviewing clinical studies on the effects of fish oil on LDL cholesterol also showed that VIVA LIPOGUARD was the only study out of 24 comparisons that can work effectively.

Old trick: For fungi infection within the ears, try putting slice of garlic into the eardrum to rid the bacteria.

To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People's Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.