Alive! Against All Odds!

Recently I have been so busy with family, work, and just life in general and have caught myself thinking “ughh, if only I could slow down a little bit!” and continue to find something to complain about! I don’t have to go back very far in my memory to pull up vivid images of me waking up on life-support and the voice of my doctor saying I only had “1-5 years to live” Every day I’m reminded how fragile life is….I still have my permanent IV in my chest, under my skin (called a Port-A-Cath that I still get my blood drawn through)! I used to be wishing and praying for the day that I could get out of the hospital, off of the couch……well, these wishes have been granted to me! I feel good, despite not being cured from my severe auto-immune disease! I spend each and every day with my family and I am so grateful for every second I have left on this earth to be with them! It will not be wasted!

Did you know that we are one of the only cultures that do not cleanse our bodies (internally) on a regular basis! It is not widely accepted in the United States and most people think of it as “alternative” and possibly strange. Think about it, we clean our car’s internal parts on a regular basis with tune ups and oil changes, and maintain our homes and personal items we own (anything from motorcycles to boats to our sports equiptment)! When the word “cleanse” is said, most people will automatically think….yes, colon cleansing or something that has to do with a toilet and the #2! There are some Kidney and Liver Cleanses out there with lemon drinks and such. These cleanses will clean your colon out and starve you…….Well, let me share with you that I have found a Total Nutritional Cleanse! It’s in the name that it’s nutritional…totally! It cleanses at the cellular level…..no need to sit home on the toilet and it is doing the deepest cleansing possible! Not only does it cleanse, but it replenish and rejuvinates the body! I feel that my health turned around because I started this nutritional cleanse! My energy is through the roof! I can work again! Let me help you change your health today! You can go to http://michellebauer2.isagenix.com

(Source: michellebauer2.isagenix.com)

The commercials want you to believe that breaking open an ice-cold, refreshing soda pop on a hot summer day is nothing short of your ultimate daily vacation! Little did you know that you are taking your own life into your hands with each sip! As a child I wasn’t given much soda, but in high school and college I lived on Diet Coke! Come to find out it’s the worst thing I could have done!
We all know that carbonated soft drinks provide a lot of calories, sugar, (some have caffeine) but no significant nutritional value! I’ve always heard of the presumed health affects of soft drinks: obesity, tooth decay and weakened bones….but I never really learned the real reasons behind it! Well, let me share with you what I have found!

CAFFEINE
Some argue that childhood use of caffeine leads to dependence later in life. Caffeine consumption addiction: fatigue due to adrenal exhaution, insomnia and chronic anxiety. You can have withdrawl symptoms including but not limited to headaches, decreased attention, nausea and vomiting when going for any length of time without caffeine if you are a regular drinker! NOTE Sugar free/Diet caffeinated soda’s contain almost more than half (Coke) and more than half (Pepsi One) of caffeine than the regular drinks!

BONE WEAKENING
Sugar depletes magnesium and the high levels of phosphoric acid in soft drinks can combine with calcium and magnesium in the gut to cause the loss of these vital minerals.(1) Animal studies show that phosphorus, a common ingredient in soda, can deplete bones of calcium. The industry (of course) denies that soda plays this role. Phosphorus (which occurs naturally in some foods and is an additive in many others) weakens bones by promoting the loss of calcium. Less calcium = more porous and pliable bones. In 2007, Researchers at Rutgers University discovered that beverages made with high fructose corn syrup contain high levels of reactive carbonyls (a free radical - BAD) linked to tissue damage, the development of diabetes and diabetes complications.

PLASTIC IN OUR CANS
There is a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) that’s used to make plastics hard. This is a harmful toxin! Maximum exposure to BPA comes from linings of canned foods, especially acidic foods (i.e. soda pop, tomato sauce). The Coca-Cola Co. and Pepsi have confirmed that BPA is used in the linings of their beverage containers.

FOOD COLORING
“Such additives are derived from industiral textile dyes and are used entirely for cosmetic purposes, to make junk food appealing,” Emma Hockridge, Soil Association.(2) Sodium Benzoate is a preservative (prevents mold and gives long shelf life) most often found in soft drinks, vinegar and mouthwash. When sodium benzoate is mixed with Vitamin C, it forms Benzene, a carcinogene substance - damaging bone marrow and can cause anemia because of a decrease in red blood cells, can cause excessive bleeding and depress the immune system.(3) Recent surveys found unlawfully high levels of benzene in some soft drink brands! (4)

FLAVORED WATER
Think flavored water is a better choice than soda? NOT! Published in the Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, 2007, “The carbonated water contributes to more erosion than still water. It wasn’t the carbonation that caused the biggest problem with erosion, but the fruit flavourings and acids, such as citric and malic acid, that were added to the drink. “We were surprised at how low the pH we found was’ says Dr. Bowen (the lower the pH, the more acidic something is) Different flavouring made the difference. The worst was the lemon-lime flavouring. ‘But all showed acidic tendency’ says Bowen.(5)

DIET SODA
The worst choice out there is diet soda! That’s hard to hear…coming from a (Former) diet soda lover! Most of us drink diet soda because we want to loose weight or because of diabetes. Guess what - Diet soda is not helping you! My Aspartame segment will explain more! A study at the University of Texas Health Science Center,San Antonio reports that there was a 41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soda a person consumes each day!(6) How, you ask? Sweet tastes promote the release of insulin which blocks the ability to burn fat. For millions of years, the sweet taste has meant that blood glucose levels are about to rise and when there is excess sugar it should be saved for times when food is not readily available. That system works great when we eat! In the diet soda though, NO sugar is provided by the beverage so your body stores glucose already prsent in the blood! Now that glucose is not available for energy and your blood sugar takes a dive (hypoglycemia) and you’ll feel lethargic and hungry (may drink another soda or a candy bar to get a pick me up feeling - thus eating more and gaining weight). Diet soda often contains sodium which exacerbates thirst. Caffeine is often added, trading a sugar high for a caffeine buzz.

VIDEO: HOW DIET SODA CAUSES WEIGHT GAIN

ASPARTAME
Did you know that Aspartame is THE MOST studied and controversial additive? If you want to see a web of political lies, mis-haps and the power of money you’ll have to see the history behind Aspartame. Watch the film “SWEET MISERY”. You can watch it for free at Google Video (if you have trouble viewing just sign in).

Diet soda’s contain synthetic sweetner, most commonly known: Aspartame, NutraSweet, Equal, AminoSweet & Neotame. 1 12oz soda contains about 180mg aspartame or 15mg of aspartame per ounce = approximately 4 1/2 packets of NutraSweet. In 1991, the National Institute of Health listed 167 possible side-effects of aspartame. In 1996, the FDA came out with a list of 92 symptoms of aspartame poisonings (even though they will not pull it off the shelf!) Aspartame is found in soda pop, chewing gum, many “diet” foods and medications! http://www.dorway.com/92symptomsfotocopy.html

It’s important to note, those of you who live in hot climates, the diet soda’s that have been sitting on the hot company truck, store shelf or even your back porch - (According to the Aspartame Consumer Safety Network - http://www.aspartamesafety.com ) there is some evidence that storing diet soda in elevated temperatures promotes rapid deterioration of aspartame into poisonous methyl alcohol (Methanol) as well as formic acid and a brain tumor agent called diketopiperazine (DKP). Methanol is better known as wood alcohol, a deadly poison when injested. Methanol breaks down into formaldehyde which is known to cause cancer, accumulating slowly without detection in the body. Some symptoms of methanol poisoning are headaches, numbness in the arms, hands, legs or feet, dizziness, depression, blurred vision, nausea and stomach pain. As a nurse, it makes me wonder how many diabetics have neuropathy that is actually from aspartame?!
Just so you know, Aspartame is made up of 3 components: Methanol (10%), Phenylalamine (50%) and Aspartic Acid (40%). The last 2 components are amino acids which are normally supplied by the foods we eat. They can only be considered harmless and natural when consumed in combination with other amino acids and in their normal concentrations (phenylalamine in meat is usually 4% compared to 50% in aspartame). When they are isolated and in high concentration they are very toxic and can disrupt the central nervous system (brain). These ingredients have been called excitotoxins. We have transmitters in our brain and chemicals allow our brain cells to communicate, but if it’s even in a tiny bit over concentrated in the brain it causes the brain cells to become extremely excited, so excited that our brain cells quickly burn themselves out and die! Excitotoxins cause damage overtime. They are strong generators of free radicals, causing accelerated aging of most organ systems, significantly atheroslerotic disease, immune system compromise including cancer and arthritis! That’s what an over concentration of excitotoxins does (MSG, Aspartamine). Some say that these excitotoxins won’t pass through our blood brain barrier, therefore we don’t need to worry. Well, there are several situations and diseases that cause the blood brain barrier to become porous (i.e., aging, parkinsons, strokes, toxins, hypoglycemia, over-exercising, certain drugs, diabetes, free radicals, MS, lupus, auto-immune diseases). Even if the blood brain barrier is not compromised, if the excitotoxins are high in concentration, they will seep in.
The Foundation of Oncology and Environmental Services recently performed studies on aspartamine. It concluded that aspartame is a multipotential carcinogen. Cancers produced included leukemia, lymphoma, kidney and cranial peripheral nerves. They also found that there was an increased risk of cancer among those rats which were given about 40% of what the FDA has deemed an accepted daily dose of aspartame.(7)
An Opthamologist in West Palm Beach, FL, Dr. H.J. Roberts, has treated hundreds of aspartame victims. 1/4 of his patients have experienced blindness. According to Dr. Roberts, “Optic nerve swelling, retinal degeneration and visual impairment that is associated with heavy aspartame use is identical to the pathology observed in recorded cases of methanol toxicity from drinking wood alcohol throughout the days of the prohibition. This is very problematic because the American Diabetic Association still recommends aspartame. What is frequently misdiagnosed as diabetic retinopathy, often is aspartame retinopathy.”
More on the history of Aspartame: http://wnho.net/hx_of_aspartame.html

SPLENDA
Splenda is a cholorinated sugar, a chlorocarbon. Common chlorocarbons; carbontetrachloride, trichlorethelene, and methylene chloride - All deadly! Dr. James Bowen, researcher and biochemist, says, ” chlorine is natures Doberman attack dog, a highly excitable ferocious atomic element employed as a biocide in bleach, disinfectants, insecticides, WWI poison gas and hydrochloric acid. In test animals, Splenda produced swollen livers, as do all chlorocarbon poisons and also calcified the kidneys of test animals in toxicity studies. Chlorocarbon poisoning can cause cancer, birthdefects and immune system destruction.”

BENZENE
I already spoke about what the heat does to soda pop with aspartame in it. I need to mention that exposing soft drinks to heat can also raise the levels of a deadly toxin called benzene. The Environmental Protection Agency has classified this chemical as a Class A carcinogenic. Benzene is now limited in gasoline, but is still an important industrial solvent and precursor in the production of drugs, plastics, synthetic rubber and dyes. Remember the sickness called Gulf War Syndrome that plagued so many of our returning Gulf War Vetrans? The question has been raised - could the diet soda that the soldiers consumed, been stored and altered chemically in the Kuwait and Iraq heat?

CARBONATION
Carbonation is a combination of carbonate of CO2 which is a heavy colorless gas. That’s what makes the fizzy bubbles in the carbonated drinks, sparkling water, seltzer and soda waters. I recently had the amazing opportunity to see some dark field studies (saw the blood cells in action with the aid of a microscope) of people who had consumed carbonation. I learned (and saw) that carbonation actually paralyzes the white blood cells (our immune cells) for up to 8-12 hours for every 8oz of soda consumed! Carbonation has a cummulative affect on the body. When looking at the blood, a normal slide showed the red blood cells floating around nicely with the occassional white blood cell moving around doing what it does. It was amazing to see the blood of the person who was an admitted soda drinker - All of their blood cells looked more stagnant and the white cells were absolutely not moving! I have a comprimised immune system! I cannot afford to have my immune cells taking 8-12 hours off! No soda is worth that!

CONSUMER BEWARE!
Teens are consuming twice as much soda as milk! Soda, sugar, caffeine, acid, preservative, food colors & empty calories, but researchers often suggest that soda use is indicative of an overall pattern of poor food choices. This can show up in different ways. One child may be diagnosed with AD/HD when he/she is actually suffering from severe nutritional imbalances that demand nutrient dense food. Another child may break his/her femur bone on the soccer field.

As a mom myself, who is switching my family from soda pop to a better and healthier life, I know it can be difficult! Communication is key! Educate yourself! Through all this research I’ve learned that the government, CDC and FDA who’s job it is to protect us, they don’t always do what is in our best interest! Take control of your health today! Take the first step by eliminating soda pop, carbonation and Aspartame from your diet!

Great Aspartame links for information:
http://www.dorway.com http://www.wnho.org http://holisticmed.com/aspartame
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References:
(1) Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicene: 11/2000
(2) Letters to the Editor, The Gaurdian: 9/06/07
(3) FDA, 2006. “Data on Benzene in Soft Drinks and Other Beverages” United States Food and Drug Administration
(4) Chris Mercer, New Benzene test reveals flaw in FDA soft drink investigation Beverage Daily.com, April 19, 2006
(5) lbid
(6) Fowler, S.P. 65th Annual Scientific Sessions, American Diabetic Association, San Diego, Juner 10-14 2005, Abstract 1058-P Sharon P Fowler, MPH, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine, San Antonio
(7) www.empowereddoctor.com/aspartame
James Bowen, MD The Lethal Science of Splenda, May 2005: www.wnho.net/splenda.chlorocarbon.html
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I have always been active and outgoing until I started to get sick after my first child in 2000.  I still managed to work as a Registered Nurse in a busy Emergency Room and was a busy mom too!  I was in the hospital a few times and despite having “women” issues, I did get pregnant with my 2nd child.  It was a rough pregnancy!  IV fluids through a PICC line (a semi permanent IV that is sutured into place) which I had most of the pregnancy.  I was in the hospital for a good month (through Christmas and New Years) trying to keep mom healthy and the baby in (Pre-Eclampsia)!  The Doctor’s ended up taking the baby 6 weeks early, but she was healthy and didn’t have to go to the NICU!  What a blessing!

It was 4 months after the baby was born that I started to notice bruises all over myself!  I called up my doctor, got my blood drawn the next day and they told me that my auto-immune disease was back!  I needed to start treatments ASAP!  I went to see a new Hematologist/Oncologist who told me the treatments that I needed to go through now.  She set me up several appointments and wrote me her suggestions for me to pick up to start taking.  One of the treatments caused me to swell terribly.  Another I actually had a uncommon side effect each time I received it.  It would swell my brain every time and cause so much pain, landing me in the hospital for days.  But the doctors thought the benefits outweighed the dangers, so I continued to go through that torture for 3 years every few weeks!  I lost my hair with some of the other treatments!  It has come back with a little curl!  I was in so much incredible discomfort in my whole body it is hard to describe!  I was going to a clinic that deals specifically with that kind of stuff!  The doctor’s told me my disease was the most severe they had seen.  I was also told I had 1-5 years to live…..that was my prognosis!

Things were not going well.  I had consulted doctors all over Utah and I was on 32 different Dr. written suggestions at one time!  By the end of the third year I was on my 3rd Hem/Onc doctor and I was sicker than ever!  I had to take a leave of absence from my jobs and my litle girls were practically being raised by my mom and mother-in-law because I was either in the hospital or too sick to care for them! My incredible discomfort was getting unbearable (even though I was on an unhuman amount of written suggestions for it).  The “discomfort” clinic I was going to for this problem was great and I thought they were “helping”me….but come to find out, the doctor was treating me like I was already on hospice and I was on SO MUCH and was so dependent that I required an intervention after 3 years! Yes, I had to go to a detox and rehab facility to get off of written suggestions I was getting from a MD and certified discomfort clinic!  I was angry!  How dare he give up on me like that (increase until I die!) So I went through another Hell while going through Hell! Now I know what It’s like to go through detox! UGGGHHHH! Now Back to real life….. I was still so sick! Current treatments still not working! When I woke up on life support for the 3rd time something clicked for me!  I was really pissed off!  The doctor’s could not explain my seizure and they were very “routine” and so uncaring….toward me, their actions were saying to accept my shortened life expectancy!  NO!  I vowed right then and there that I would never be back in that hospital!  If I was going to die anyway, I wanted to be with my little family!  I told the doctors NO MORE!   My husband and I scraped up enough money to go on a “final” vacation to make some quality memories with my girls!  We went on a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas!  It was amazing and very emotional for me!  When we got back I waited to see what life had to offer, but deep down I felt there was something out there that could help me!  I was still so tired, sick, hurting and more!

In 2002 I had been introduced to a Nutritional Cleansing Product and was impressed by it then.  Now I felt I needed it and from what I had heard, thousands of people have been helped in many ways.  Now it was my turn!  I called up my friend and got some product ordered.  Just in the 1st week of taking the Nutritional Cleansing Product I was sleeping without any sleep aids (a very restful sleep)!  I didn’t need to take naps during the day!  By the end of the month I noticed that my hair had stopped falling out, my discomfort had diminished tremendously and was sometimes gone!  I had tons of energy and I had lost weight and inches!  But what really impressed me is that my lab work improved (it actually tripled!) it had never even slightly gone up on it’s own in the past 6 years until now and this Nutritional Cleansing System is the only thing that I have changed/added to my regimen! 

It is my mission in life now to go to the 30 different doctors who have treated me in the past 6 years, all of those who gave up on me, and show them that there can be other healing modalities.  Mind you, I am not cured! But my quality of life is 100% better than it was.  I am working again, I can care for my children and play with them again and I have not been in the hospital since the day I vowed to never go back!

I will be on the Nutritional Cleansing System and Products for the rest of my life!  I would like to share this with everyone that will listen and have them know that I know your pain and I will help you succeed!  Whether you are healthy, sick, young, old these products are for you! You can find out more about these products by going to www.michellebauer2.isagenix.com to watch the movie there.  See testimonials and product information!  You can also contact me there! 

God Bless,  Michelle

Next blog discussion: Dangers of soda pop and your immune system!