Kids,
Read this. Understand this. Implement the information.
===== HEALTH ======= IMMUNE SYSTEM =========
Definitions:
Free Radical - an especially reactive atom or group of atoms that has one or more unpaired electrons; especially : one that is produced in the body by natural biological processes or introduced from outside (as in tobacco smoke, toxins, or pollutants) and that can damage cells, proteins, and DNA by altering their chemical structure.
An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, leading to chain reactions that may damage cells.
Translation - "Free Radicals can be created by Oxidation". Anti oxidants stops oxidation (the creation of free radicals).
Apitherapy encompasses the use of bee hive products including honey, pollen, and bee venom. Apitherapy is used to treat many illnesses and to alleviate pain from injuries both chronic and acute. Usually it is used to refer to doing bee stings.
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Health and your immune system:
Everyday a battle occurs in your body. Free radicals are created and anti oxidants stop the process (reduce the number of free radicals). Free radicals are / cause damaged cells, ie sources of health problems and diseases, like cancer.
As you get older and/or as your immune system gets weaker, the free radicals start winning the daily war. Sickness and disease results.
Understanding this, now you know why it is important to keep our immune system strong.
Activities that increase free radicals are smoking, using tobacco, working around x-rays, being out in the sun a lot (especially at higher altitudes), over use of tanning beds.
Activities that reduce free radicals - taking anti oxidants like drinking green tea, taking vitamin E and vitamin C, taking resveratrol, eating BEE POLLEN. Also avoiding exposure to tobacco, radiation, over exposure to the sun.
Other activities to help maintain a strong immune system: Exercise & Healthy Eating
Regular exercise, sweating, stretching, physical labor.
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
Avoiding soda pop, sweets, and sugary deserts.
I can not emphasize enough the importance of Bee Pollen. It also helps your body to rid itself of toxins. This is so important to a strong immune system.
Finally, you can 'super charge' your immune system with venom. One bee sting per week is a good level. Make sure you are not allergic to the venom first. The practice of bee stings is called apitherapy. The sting challenges your immune system, making it stronger, so you do not get sick as much and helps your body fight off other sicknesses (ie just like anti oxidants, but in a different way). It has kept me free of arthritis.
Bee pollen also provides key trace minerals and amino acids to your body - very important.
Herpetologists, who raise poisonous snakes, gradually build up their immune systems to tolerate levels of the venoms their snakes produce (that way when they do get bit, they do not die). The side effects are that they do not get any diseases! No MS, no arthritis, nothing. That is how you do the ultimate super charging of your immune system. I will tell you that it is easier to get a snake than it is to buy venom - now days. I will also tell you that it is recommended that you do bee stings (apitherapy) before you even consider snake venom. I do know a beekeeper who can help you get a hive. Cost is about $600.
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You now know more about immune system strengthening than most medical doctors.
They will know about free radicals and anti oxidants. They will look at you funny about apitherapy and any other venom therapy. They have not been taught anything about that and tend not to research on their own - other than what the AMA provides in medical updates, primarily regarding new medicines.
What do you call a doctor who has non of his patients on medication ? Broke.
What do you call a doctor who provides you a prescription med for all your aliments? Busy, cause he must see you to continue writing prescriptions.
Translations: Take control of your own health, or pay the consequences.
It's your decision. Most likely there is an important balance of what you may really need compared to what you get prescribed. People in their 80's get so many prescriptions that problems arise between medications reacting with each other. Their kidneys, liver, and immune system pay a heavy price as they are what filter the meds out of the body. The side effects of meds can devastate your body.
It is important for you to 'self educate' on any meds you take. Know what the side effects are, the long term effects from taking each med. Some web sites like WebMD are good sources. You can always ask your doctor good questions as well. A pharmacist is also a good source of information.
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Action items to consider for your health:
Phase I
1) Avoiding (or minimizing) radiation exposure
2) Taking a multi vitamin w/minerals daily
3) Learn side effects of meds you take
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Phase II
4) Taking anti oxidants like vitamin E, C
5) Eating bee pollen daily (1/4 tsp) (I can provide)
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Phase III
6) Apitherapy (bee stings - 1 a week)
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Phase IV
7) I am researching, personally.
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I hope you find knowledge and value in this information.
Remember, it is just information unless it is acted upon (applied, used).
My study shows that "being a herpetologist for 10 years slows down your aging process so much, you get an extra 6 years of longevity". That is healthy longevity (as opposed to wheel chair longevity). Translation - if you sit on this information, you will not benefit from it. You must apply it.
Apitherapy comment - getting a bee sting on your knee where you have pain, causes the body to create cortisone sending it to the sting area to help the body heal. That brings relief to the existing hurt area as well. The area will turn red and feel physically warm for a couple days. This brings pain relief, but is a temporary fix for the hurt.
Dad