The 6 Month or Less Super-Detox

This may be the most effective, safe and least costly approach to detoxification-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF_VeTERa1M

So simply taking Niacin (work way up to 5000 mg), exercise and sauna will take most of the toxins out of your body. Building up to high levels of niacin should happen at your own pace (it is uncomfortable at higher doses), though I recommend taking it in step (possibly 1000 mg added each month, though some build up to 5000 quicker).  If you take 1000 mg step each month, you will be to 5000 at the end of the fifth and keep at 5000 mg for all of the sixth month.

Saunas are available in a variety of prices and qualities. While I know most recommend a far infrared sauna, I have a Swedish sauna (I like the heat!). Ramona from the Healing Grapevine is a great source for information on sauna use and detoxification- http://www.healinggrapevine.com/health-solutions/far-infrared/far-infrared-sauna.html

In my last communication from Dr. Chris Shade, he shared, “DIM is a necessity for fixing recalcitrant problem conditions like MD”. Quick Silver Scientific now has a direct to consumer website at: https://www.purxpressions.com/

A glutathione supplement such as Readysorb (need a medical referral) or Zeo Gold (can be purchased online) is helpful in chelating metals. I am also taking ASEA Water as many mercury toxic individuals find it very beneficial (and it is said to increase effectiveness of glutathione greatly!)

Set time for prayer/ meditation/ yoga or what have you to calm yourself in body, mind and spirit. Quieting the monkeys in our brains can ease the effects of daily stressors and enhance biochemistry.

To Sum it All Up-

-          Follow the niacin, exercise (30 minutes), sauna (40 minutes) protocol

-          If you have MD, consider DIM use

-          Take a glutathione supplement daily

-          Take ASEA Water twice daily

-          Meditate

Exercise, Niacin and Sauna

I have been following a new approach to detoxing based primarily on an interview of Dr. George Yu by Dr. Joe Mercola .

Here is the approach I am taking/ suggesting-

     

Open bodies channels for elimination of toxins- kidney, liver and colon through coffee enemas, supplements, and diet

 Follow healthy diet and utilize large doses of natural chelators (cilantro and chlorella)

Exercise, Niacin and Sauna-

Dr. Yu suggests building up to 5000 mg of niacin. I was able to get as high at 2500…but found myself having serious reactions (my skin turned blotchy red especially in upper torso/around joints and vomiting in the am). 

I have decided for myself 1000 mg daily is enough.   Your body will let you know when you’re beyond your limit. Take your time and slowly build levels. Eventually, I may up my intake to 2000 mg daily.

I am fortunate to have a sauna. I know some may consider this an extravagant expense. I actually found my sauna heater and door on craigslist. With cedar, redwood and electrical work, I spent right around $2000.

My last sauna was an online purchase of an infrared sauna. Ramona on healinggrapevine.com is a big promoter of quality infrared saunas and also provides a wealth of information for those suffering from Morgellons-Ramona on Morgellons

Morgellons sufferers may have bodies ill-designed for toxic removal. The fact that Morgellons has forced me to better understand my body and how it works makes it more of a blessing and less of a curse. I plan routine detoxing in an ongoing fashion.

Hope this is helpful.

To your health,
Joe

Putting the Pieces Together

Well, I'm back in my house. I've been trying my best to get on track with detox again...I fell away some with all the stress of coming back to US from overseas (health, family, work...or non-work, etc.). I am finding my sleep, exercise, and other pieces of daily routine to fall better into place.

I am returning to chelation agents suggested by Dr. Bruce Shelton (phospholipid exchange being key). I know they helped matters considerably although are somewhat expensive. I think chelating metals out of hiding is key to improvement (though it takes time).

I also have been hitting the sauna again. This is especially nice on the cold evenings. I will try to include this twice each week from now on.

I do keep exercise as a focus as well. I have started running again. This morning I think I may have jogged 4 miles or so. It is slow going, but, as my cross country couch used to say, I'll get distance down and then work on speed.

When it is considerably colder and the weather turns nasty, I will make use of my rebounder. a half hour of bouncing in the morning makes my day much better!

Anyhow, all is well (considering I do not have any solid employment). Happy trails, Joe

Get the Metal Out!

It's a landmark week. My theory related to Morgellons Disease is now in print (Explore! 20.5) for which I give much thanks to Crystyne Jackson, Explore! editor, for ongoing support and motivation (keep on rockin' the medical world!) I'm soon to end my over half year+ of couch surfing as I'll be moving back into my home in Wellsboro. And, finally, what you might be most interested in, I'm taking more steps towards cleaning the heavy metals out of my system.

I picked up an internet order of glutathione from one of my sister's homes (remember I currently do not have a real address); this was motivation by recent dialog on this blog and understanding glutathione binds with mercury to pull it out of your system. In discussing this with a health store pro, I was told Alpha Lipoic Acid would have the same effect at a lower cost (ALA promotes our own system (liver I think) to create its own glutathione). I'll use glutathione initially with the plan to shift towards ALA.

I have just over one month until I can move back into my shack, so I will be house sitting for friends starting next week. I plan to do a week long lemonade fast (I've done this twice before) along with colon cleanse. The Tao of Detox mentions the importance of a clean colon for any detox work to be effective. I hope to also get some algin as it is known to assist in pulling metals from the digestive track and begin this along with the fast.

After the fast and re occupancy of home, I will use my infra red sauna with sulfur soap daily along with cilantro tea (not the best taste but is said to help pull mercury and improve memory). I'll continue my daily walks (minimal one hour) and build my yoga routine. I may also start doing some wood runs again. Key is getting my health and energy back to where it should be.

With summer over and fall here, it feels right to pursue happier and healthier. It makes sense to get the metal out! Happy trails, Joe

Two Weeks of Cat Sitting or Health in the City

Two weeks ago I was staying with my sister and her family (I'm feeling like a nomad these days). I'd assisted with some painting projects, baby sitting, and moving the heaviest desk I've ever encountered (I still hurt). My friend Liz invited me to the Big Apple to cat sit while she went on a trip; I found a ride on craigslist and considered it my destiny. I've made a few health related discoveries while in New York and felt they were worth a mention.

First I need to mention a pattern I've noticed. There are a lot of very physically active people living city lives. I don't think it was the same when I was a kid. Growing up in the country, it seemed visiting the city (Buffalo being the only one I was ever taken to) meant seeing a lot of inactive people. I may be wrong, but it seems somehow to have flipped. Many of the heavier, less active people I encounter now seem to be country dwellers. I'm not certain how or why this might be the case. Anyhow, seeing all of the runners, bikers, walkers and such in NYC made me think about this.

The last I visited Liz's, I went to a free yoga session at a center big on combining yoga and Thai Chi; I returned this visit and was disappointed at the way I was received. I could participate in yoga for $25 per hour session. I purchased a book from them, Meridian Exercises for Self-Healing by: Ilchi Lee, but decided I'd do yoga somewhere else. Once again craigslist came to the rescue; for 6 hours of cleaning and assisting in setting up a studio, I would be able to participate in 10 yoga sessions (thank you very much Loretta of Area Yoga Brooklyn). I've been able to participate in two fairly challenging beginner's sessions and may go for one or two more (it's just over a one hour walk to the studio and going eats into my writing time).

Another great health related find was a place called Start Point located in the Hispanic part of Brooklyn at 5th ave. and 53rd street. I stopped in to ask about their herbs and was invited to get a kind of acupressure massage on a infrared heated bed; I slept so well the night after this first session, I decided to return daily. It's a neat set up...friendly and inviting. They do a 15 minute talk in Spanish before every session on the beds, which I've been considering a free language lesson (mucho gusta!).

I also purchased a copy of The Tao of Detox by: Daniel Reid and, having read the first couple of chapters, am giving it my highest recommendation for Morgellons sufferers. Really it is great! Get a copy if you can or I'll loan you mine once I'm done.

I had hoped to connect with a Wilson's Temperature Syndrome specialist, but she emailed to let me know she is moving to Arizona. Sure, I was disappointed. I also have to say I'm surprised the Chinatown I was familiar with here some 15 years ago has changed greatly; it is mostly for tourist. So, some health related disappointments...but the good outweighs the bad.

Reclaiming Your Internal Environment- Part 5- New Habits to Build into Healthier Living

Remember when I said I think of us as bouncing blobs of water? Of course, we are much more. We are body and mind but also spirit. So, in considering new habits to maintain and boost health, let's consider each of the three pieces which make us who we are.

Body- The body is a complex machine. It really is amazing when you ponder all it does constantly to keep us bouncing along. Key considerations in habit building (or you could say discipline) are: exercise, food intake, water intake, air intake and other. For exercise consider both internal and external exercise. Western approaches to exercise often focus on muscle building without consideration for all of the other systems the body benefits from proper functioning of including but not limited to the circulatory, respiratory, and endocrine systems. Given all my recent health challenges, I believe the endocrine system is hit especially hard by the toxicity issues related to Morgellons. I vary my exercise though I make walking an hour each day a minimal approach. I like to jog, swim (though I'm not so good at it), climbing (when I can), hiking, yoga, and now...have a growing interest in internal exercise as understood in association with Chinese health practices. We each have our likes and dislikes, but I would highly recommend something to work out your insides (yoga, tai chi, Chinese internal exercise, etc) and something to work out more externally. Find what works for you and fit it into your schedule.

Mind- It is kinda teacher-ese to be saying I think working out the mind is a necessary part of every day...but it is what I believe. For myself my minimal approach for some time has been one hour of writing and one hour of reading (though my writing sometimes expands greatly). I also enjoy tinkering such as building or renovation projects (I've been playing with the idea of getting into tree house building...but at present have no tree to build upon). I am a tactile learner and really enjoy learning combined with hand work. Again, it comes down to what works for you. Figure it out and do it!

Spirit- Sometimes we need to be reminded, a balanced and wholesome approach to your spirituality assist the body and mind as well. When I finally have a home again (which I am hoping happens sooner than later...the backpack life is getting old), I plan to invest in one of those fancy, heavy serious meditation pillows (you know what I'm talking about...they weigh a ton, are usually round and are comfortable to sit on). I want to build meditation along with prayer into my daily schedule. As a Quaker, I enjoy having weekly access to a Meeting and hope for this wherever I next land employment. Your own spiritual/religious life should be built upon those things which feed your soul and lend themselves to building yourself in spirit.

Building habits and discipline into your life will assist in recovery. Think body, mind and spirit. Think what you enjoy and what works for you. Think wellness and balance and all things good. Happy healing, Joe

Reclaiming You Internal Environment- Part 2- Opening Detox Channels

There's plenty out there on detoxing to assist in healing. As I view Morgellons as a condition due to toxicity, I am keen on sharing some of the basic knowledge I feel is worthwhile. In general, I view our bodies as bouncing blobs of water. Our blobs are only on this world for a short time; it make sense for our time to be as healthy as we can make it.

Let's begin. We need to think about what we are allowing into our bouncing blob of water. Keep our intake of food, water and air as healthy as possible is essential. If you live near know toxic exposure, realize it has effects on your health...if you can, move (as I did. It ain't been easy, but I made the decision my health was more important than my income. I moved away from the power plant area of the Four Corners). Eat right--organic (when possible), avoid known junk foods, no GMOs,...you know, there are endless sources of information on this. For water, get it as clean as possible. I recommend filters on drinking water as well as showers (your body will absorb approximately 5 cups of water each shower). If you are in an area where historic mining has taken place, sponge baths may be your best alternative (I did this for an extended time when I lived in Teec Nos Pos, AZ. My levels of uranium exposure increase in urine test and I realized this was likely to waters coming down from mountains with uranium tailing piles). Air quality should be good if not great; my recent job/hell on earth position in Tanzania including my asking about air quality right off the bat (the head of schools told me, "...the quality is good". He failed to mention my needing to drive through diesel traffic for close to two hours each day). I will discuss/review more on air quality in the home in my next entry. Now that we've explored the intake for our blog, let's look at the outtake.

Toxins leave the body in three major ways--sweat, urine and feces (stress is also a form of toxin. Traumatic issues from the past may need to be confronted. Forgiving needs to happen...you need to forgive friends, health professionals who do not understand Morgellons (very, very important!), family, and even yourself. As I have made use of the 12 Steps for recovery (and suspect I will always need to make use of them), I recommend their use. For today's entry I will focus on matters related to the body and not the mind/spirit). The skins is the largest organ and sweating away toxins is helpful. I like sweats and saunas weekly (if possible). After getting to the point of sweating, you must wash off toxins before the body reabsorbs them; this can be done with a sponge bath, filtered shower, or rolling in the sand (as I did when going to traditional Navajo sweats).

Key to successful detox from heavy metals (such as mercury of course), is to have detox channels for passage out of body open. The kidneys and liver need to be functioning well. It is very important to not have toxins getting stuck along the way out. Though I have found it useful and having a huge impact, enemas (especially coffee which is good for the colon, intestines, liver and kidneys) need to be done with care. I recommend going into this slowly. There are also numerous herbal supports found at local health food stores; be cautious with these too. I use milk thistle for my liver. Lymphatic drainage is important (I have an entry on self massage and recommend looking at it). Regular massage is useful; if you cannot afford to go to a professional massage therapist, I would invest in a palm held massage device (found online for about $35).

Exercise and discipline are helpful. One hour of walking/jogging/yoga or what have you per day is good. I also find one hour of meditation/prayer helpful; stress produces toxins and calm opens the body to release. I recently found a copy of The Complete System of Self-Healing by: Dr. Stephen T. Chang at a yard sale; I have been working on internal exercise and can only say, "Wow! This is definitely beneficial!" In truth, I now know the best approaches to exercise for detox and general health includes both internal and external exercise.

Well, we've covered a lot of ground. I know there is plenty more which could be discussed and look into. Please share what you have found useful along your own path. Of course, we are all individuals and need to find what works for us. A good health professional working with you on all health matters (including detox and opening detox channels) is, as always, recommended. Happy healing, Joe

Exercise Shift

My recent concerns of adrenal exhaustion are causing me to shift my exercise focus. I had plans to continue jogging and even motivate myself towards running some 5ks or such. I tend to overdo and push myself even when I feel beat. I need to change my thinking towards physical activity.

My understanding of the adrenal glands is they kick in as you kick in. Dr. Larry Wilson on educate-yourself.org cautions on the role of exercise in those suffering from burnout, "Vigorous exercise can be attractive to those in burnout. Exercise temporarily makes them feel better. While it may provide a boost, in the long run vigorous exercise further exhausts their bodies. People in burnout need to reduce exercise, often to a minimum in order to conserve their energy and allow the adrenals to rebuild. Exercise requires energy and adrenal reserves that people in burnout do not have".

Wilson's explanation of appropriate exercise is brief, "Gentle walking is beneficial. Vigorous exercise depletes the adrenals. Deep breathing and stretching, yoga or Tai chi do not deplete the body. Exercise to relax rather than build muscle".

I plan to expand on and rebuild my yoga routine. The importance of rebuilding the adrenals and opening to detox make it especially appropriate. As with so many pieces of the Morgellons puzzle, patience and routine have their rewards.

Exercise Before Eight

Let's talk a little about body fat. Fat is used by the body to insulate toxins. Losing fat will help in eliminating toxins. Your body burns 300% more fat in the early morning than the rest of the day. You can guess where this is heading.

Early morning exercise with an hour wait before eating is a great way to melt away the pounds. Exercise doesn't have to be grueling. I find the more I enjoy it, the more I'm likely to keep with it. I'm lucky to have found a footpath through the woods right near my home.

Here's how my morning looks:
5:30am or close to it- I get up, put my sweats on, stretch and go for a morning jog. I have a background in running (ran cross country in college and coached several X-C teams in the past). Still, I haven't ran regularly in about five years. It is still slow going, but I like that I'm keeping with it. Speed will come with time.
7:00am- I jump in a quick cold shower and go in my sauna for 30 minutes. While in the sauna I do lymphatic drainage, neck twist and other motions to loosen things up. Once I finish my sit, I hit the auto on my coffee maker and jump back in the shower.
8:00am- I'm dressed, drinking coffee and eating breakfast. As I do oral chelation every other day, I may take the time to attempt to mix it with my juice (it does mix very well...but I don't mind the taste). I also drink lots of water!

Anyhow, that's how my morning looks. I like getting exercise done with and out of the way before my day starts. I recommend those detoxing do the same (if running isn't what you are into, try something else. Even an early morning walk can make a difference). You know yourself. Do what works for you! Just keep in mind exercise is good for the mind, body and spirit. It also will help get toxins out!