Natural Health Product Protection Association (NHPPA) is a federally incorporated non-profit with over 18 years of experience advocating for freedom of choice and the protection of natural health products (NHPs) and dietary supplements in Canada.
Dr. Zoltan Rona was a practicing medical doctor for 44 years, graduating from McGill University in 1977 and later earning a master’s in biochemistry and clinical nutrition at the University of Bridgeport. His career began in conventional medicine but shifted dramatically after realizing medical school taught nothing about nutrition or prevention. Inspired by mentors like Dr. John Barker, he explored vitamin E, thyroid treatments, antioxidants, and herbs, eventually becoming a leading advocate for integrative and natural approaches. He authored 12 books, including the *Encyclopedia of Natural Healing*, and treated hundreds of thousands of patients, emphasizing nutrition as the foundation of health.
In this interview, Dr. Rona details how nearly all chronic illnesses—cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders—are linked to nutritional deficiencies and toxic modern foods. He highlights the dangers of processed food, pesticides, sugar, and heavy metals, alongside the collapse of nutrients in today’s produce compared to a century ago. He stresses the essential role of nutrients like vitamin D, magnesium, and CoQ10 in preventing disease and recounts cases of recovery from conditions like Crohn’s, colitis, eczema, and even cancer with natural therapies. He contrasts the safety of supplements (no recorded deaths in decades) with the risks of pharmaceuticals, arguing that Health Canada censors natural solutions while protecting drug monopolies. Dr. Rona insists health care should be about helping, not profit, and urges Canadians to reclaim their right to choose natural health products before they are regulated out of reach.
(Endorsed by the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition)
By
Zoltan P. Rona, MD, MSc
If you are 65 years old, you have a one in eight chance of suffering from significant cognitive decline. By age 80 the chances are that one in two of you will suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia. Conventional medicine has very little to offer for prevention and treatment of the aging brain. In fact, most of the drugs prescribed by conventional doctors for other conditions actually cause premature brain aging, memory loss and confusion.
You might say that prescription drugs are one of the major contributors to accelerated brain aging. Chief amongst these are the statin drugs for high cholesterol, fluroquinolone antibiotics, prescription tranquilizers, antidepressants, and electroconvulsive shock therapy. Concussions will do the same. Statin drugs, for example, deplete the brain of the important antioxidant CoQ10 as well as numerous steroid hormones, including vitamin D. The longer you use statin drugs, the greater will be your cognitive decline.
Another major issue is the growing problem of mercury toxicity from dental fillings, industrial pollution, and fish of all types. Mercury and other toxic heavy metals play an increasingly large role in damaging the brain.
To rid the body of these toxins, consider using the far infrared sauna (which causes the release of toxins through sweating), cilantro (a culinary herb that pulls heavy metals out of the tissues), chlorella (a superfood that detoxifies the cells), bentonite clay (a substance that pulls heavy metals out of the body through the bowels and should be taken within hours of cilantro), and other detoxifying strategies regularly.
Commonly prescribed drugs for Alzheimer’s or dementia rarely benefit an aging brain and serve primarily to keep agitated patients with dementia quiet or muzzled. The good news is that evidence supports the use of many nutrient supplements that can enhance brain function and prevent brain tragedies in later life.
Following a healthy organic diet and lifestyle while controlling stress can go a long way towards preventing brain damage. This includes avoiding gluten-containing grains and other personal food allergens, as well as sugar (including high fructose corn syrup) and refined carbohydrates, while getting plenty of essential fatty acids in daily meals. According to neurologist, Dr. David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain, the main culprits responsible for Alzheimer’s Disease are excessive sugar and genetically engineered grain (gluten) consumption. Not only are grains and refined carbohydrates associated with the obesity epidemic but they may also be one of the chief causes of brain aging. Aside from a healthy diet and lifestyle, there are key supplements that virtually anyone can use to help enhance brain function and stave off the neurological problems of aging.
According to neurologist, Dr. David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain, the main culprits responsible for Alzheimer’s Disease are excessive sugar and genetically engineered grain (gluten) consumption.
Not only are grains and refined carbohydrates associated with the obesity epidemic but they may also be one of the chief causes of brain aging. Aside from a healthy diet and lifestyle, there are key supplements that virtually anyone can use to help enhance brain function and stave off the neurological problems of aging.
Here are my top 10 favorites based on the most recent studies and my clinical experience:
MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES IN COCONUT OIL SHOW POTENTIAL IN THE TREATMENT OF AGE-RELATED ILLNESS
Here are my top 10 favorites based on the most recent studies and my clinical experience:
1) OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS – 4,000 mg (combined DHA and EPA) daily. Some food sources include free-range eggs and wild Pacific salmon. Omega-3 fats prevents brain cell damage and lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s primarily by controlling chronic inflammation.
2) MAGNESIUM GLYCINATE – 400 to 800 mg daily. Evidence shows that higher brain levels of magnesium in the brain improve Alzheimer’s symptoms. Receiving high doses intravenously appears to be most effective in calming an agitated brain.
3) CURCUMIN – 1,000 to 2,000 mg daily. This powerful antioxidant extract from the spice turmeric is one of the most powerful natural brain protecting substances ever documented. Known as a potent anti-inflammatory for the whole body, curcumin boosts overall cognitive function and has recently been shown to be an effective antidepressant. Make sure the brand of curcumin you buy is the natural BCM95 type (this should be specified on the label) due to its very high absorption and bioavailability. Some other brands use synthetic curcumin derived from petrochemicals, which are poor copies of natural curcumin and do not have the same benefits.
4) VITAMIN D – 5,000 to 10,000 IU daily. I mentioned in my book on vitamin D that receptors do exist in the brain for this hormone-like vitamin. Vitamin D is anti-inflammatory, and the evidence is clear that vitamin D levels are tied intimately to optimal brain function. It helps nourish brain glial cells that help damaged neurons. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of abnormal mood, memory and behaviour problems. Unfortunately, it is still ignored as an important brain booster by most of the conventional medicine world.
5) VITAMIN B12 – 5,000 mcg methylcobalamin daily dissolved under the tongue. It’s long been known that vitamin B12 injections and sublingually dissolved oral supplements will boost mood, energy and sharpen thinking in general. There is now good evidence from neurology journals that regular vitamin B12 consumption can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Of course, if you take high doses of vitamin B12, it’s important to take a B complex along with the B12 in order to prevent a relative B vitamin deficiency.
6) COCONUT OIL – 20 grams daily of MCT (medium chain triglycerides) is a type of healthy fat that nourishes the brain and has reportedly reversed Alzheimer’s symptoms in some studies (20 grams = 4 tsp; if your skin gets too oily, cut back on the intake). Coconut oil contains 66% MCT which contain ketone bodies (ketoacids) that actually both nourish and regenerate diseased brain cells. Aside from improving Alzheimer’s, MCT has a potential in the treatment of Parkinson’s, MS and ALS.
7) LITHIUM OROTATE– 10 to 20 mg daily. High doses of the mineral salt lithium (1200 – 1500 mg daily) are often used to treat bipolar disease (manic-depressive illness) but few people realize that low dose lithium can do wonders for brain function at virtually any age. Low dose lithium enhances nerve cell DNA replication. In actual studies, shrunken brains as seen on CAT scans and MRIs in patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s can be grown back over time to their original size. Lithium prevents damage to the brain by toxic molecules (heavy metals, drugs, pollutants, etc.) and normal brain erosion occurring over time. In other words, it prevents typical brain aging. Lithium prohibits beta-amyloid secretion, a substance found to be associated with Alzheimer’s. Lithium also protects the brain from damage by aluminum, another purported cause of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
8) COENZYME Q10 – 600 to 1,200 mg daily. Best known for its benefits for cardiovascular disease and cancer treatment, CoQ10 may slow down and help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s. Recent studies do show enhancement of brain function after using high doses of CoQ10. CoQ10 has also been reported to help symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, skin aging as well as periodontal disease.
9) PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE (PS) – 300 mg or more daily. This is a natural substance used by the brain to basically improve communication between neurons. It has been used effectively for any type of age related mental functioning decline as well as for Alzheimer’s, ADHD, depression and for the improvement of athletic performance. Phosphatidyl choline (aka lecithin) is a similar but weaker version of PS, and one needs at least 24 grams of the stuff daily to accomplish the same benefits.
10) GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT – 120 mg daily of the standardized extract. One of my sons was fond of saying “no ginkgo, no thinko,” and I thinko he may have been right! This extract from the ancient ginkgo tree has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain and can be used to both prevent and reduce the progression of Alzheimer’s.
A GINKGO TREE EXTRACT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BOTH PREVENT AND REDUCE THE PROGRESSION OF ALZHEIMER'S
Despite what conventional medical authorities will tell you, evidence suggests that the brain can change for the better with the use of natural remedies. Brain injury and degeneration is NOT permanent and you don’t need ANY drug to fix the problem. It takes years, and not weeks or months, to see the beneficial effects with the natural approach because the brain takes a much longer time to heal than any other organ.
Aside from these top 10 natural remedies, let’s also be aware of the fact that severe imbalances in various hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, insulin, thyroid, pituitary and several others) can have profound effects on brain aging. So can chronic stress, your personal genetics or family history, and the amount of time you exercise and have restorative sleep. Further, all antioxidant supplements and herbal remedies that control inflammation will work to prevent brain aging. For all these and other brain aging concerns, see your natural health care practitioner.
“Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?” ~ John Lennon and Paul McCartney, 1968
Editor’s Note: Some medical practitioners are also recommending the use of CBD oil for treating
degenerative diseases, helping prevent their condition from getting worse. Research has also
shown that CBD reduces inflammation and improves the overall functioning of the immune
system in the body, which is essential to keeping the body healthy.
[Editor’s note: This article is not meant to replace the advice of your doctor. Please consult with your personal physician before making any adjustments to your health care routine.]
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Get personalized guidance on nutrition, supplements, and natural strategies that support healthy brain aging.
Book Now : Call 905-764-8700• David Perlmutter, MD. Grain Brain. Little, Brown and Co. New York:September 2013
• Curcumin. Biochem Pharmacol. 2005 Sep 1; 70(5): 700-13.
• Rona, Zoltan P. Vitamin D, The Sunshine Vitamin. Tennessee, USA: Alive Books, 2010 https://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-D-Sunshine-Zoltan-Rona/dp/0920470823
• Vitamin B12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20956785
• Ginkgo biloba extract. https://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03064/Alzheimers-Disease.html
The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition has been Teaching the Medicine of the Future™ since 1994. Their commitment to quality education has made them Canada’s leading holistic nutrition school, with provincially-regulated classroom locations coast-to-coast plus Online Distance Education. Their practical foundation Natural Nutrition Diploma Program provides the fundamental tools needed for a lasting career in holistic nutrition. Upon successful completion of the courses, case studies, and Final Board Exams, graduates earn a professional designation and title. Their training qualifies them to provide personalized holistic recommendations to clients at all ages and stages of their life and health.
Zoltan P. Rona, MD, MSc
Zoltan P. Rona, MD, MSc, offers consultations on nutrition and natural remedies in Thornhill. He has recently retired from medical practice as a Complementary and Alternative medical practitioner and now strictly offers nutritional consultations. He is the medical editor of The Encyclopedia of Natural Healing and has also published several Canadian bestselling books, including Vitamin D, The Sunshine Vitamin. To see more of Dr. Rona’s articles, visit: www.highlevelwellness.ca and for appointments, please call (905) 764-8700; office located at: 390 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 19, Thornhill, Ontario
By
Zoltan P. Rona, MD, MSc
Improving your sex life by enhancing libido and fertility requires optimizing your levels of certain hormones. Testosterone, DHEA, growth hormone, estrogen, and progesterone are the major hormones involved. And their optimal levels in the body can be achieved without the use of prescription hormones in the majority of individuals.
In the case of testosterone (the major hormone regulating libido in both men and women), certain biochemical issues must be overcome. Testosterone must be freely available to brain cell receptor sites in order to promote libido, sexual satisfaction, and performance. Unfortunately, testosterone becomes more and more bound to a carrier protein called serum globulin as men age – even though the actual level of testosterone production does not generally decrease with aging. The result is that testosterone is no longer available to the sex stimulating centers in the brain.
The solution isn’t as simple as taking more testosterone or DHEA, the latter of which the body converts to testosterone. This is because supplemental testosterone, through the action of liver enzymes, also becomes bound to its carrier protein and is unavailable to receptor sites.
How can this bound testosterone be freed naturally? You may have noticed the ads in American health magazines or the internet for various formulas promising the user fabulous sex for life. Some of the claims being made for one product aimed at women include increased intensity and ease of achieving orgasm, improved clitoral sensitivity, enhanced intensity of pelvic sensation during sex, and decreased time needed for vaginal lubrication.
For men, equivalent products are said to intensify orgasm, firm up erections, prolong erections during sexual activity, and reduce the time needed to produce a subsequent erection. Sound too good to be true?
While published studies have not verified that certain brand name products create the results advertised, research has confirmed the effectiveness of several components of these supplements in boosting the sex lives of both men and women. If you know the ingredients of these formulas it’s easy to understand how they might work to create such results. More on this later.
LIFESTYLE STRATEGIES: To enhance sexual energy, consider such methods as deep breathing exercises, light aerobic exercise, meditation, visualization, and yoga. Avoid severe stress, excessively vigorous exercise, or the overuse of hot tubs and saunas, all of which can lower production of hormones involved in potency, fertility, and sex drive. Eliminating these stressors can make a significant difference.
Potency, fertility, and sexual prowess are also affected by the presence of chemicals, especially estrogen-like chemicals, antibiotics, and other pollutants in the environment. That’s why it’s critical to avoid the chemicals, growth hormones, and antibiotic residue commonly found in conventional animal products (non-organic) and processed foods.
DIETARY CHANGES: Nutritional support is a cornerstone of sexual health. I recommend a balanced diet low in animal fats, fried foods, sugar, caffeine, white flour products, alcohol, and junk foods. Your healthiest choice is a whole food diet with plenty of organic fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
In your daily diet, include unrefined cold-pressed nut and seed oils such as hemp seed, flax seed, walnut, or pumpkin seed oil. Essential fatty acids are particularly important for sexual health because the body uses them to make hormones called prostaglandins, necessary for normal sexual response. Since the vast majority of fish on this planet are contaminated by mercury, it’s best to keep fish and seafood consumption to a minimum. However, in regards to fish oil supplements, all such supplements must be free of mercury according to Canadian law, so these products are safe from contamination.
Eat your oats. Rich in vitamin E, oats release testosterone from its binding protein, making it more available to cells that require this hormone. This can lead to enhanced libido, improved stamina, and a stronger nervous system.
Avoid alcohol and high-caffeine products such as coffee, tea and cola drinks. They deplete the body of zinc, manganese, magnesium and other nutrients. They also cause an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone, favoring higher estrogen levels. It’s also wise to bypass foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates _– they boost estrogen levels, destabilize blood sugar levels, and devour nutrients such as chromium and B-complex vitamins.
“Sex appeal is fifty percent what you’ve got and fifty percent what people think you’ve got.” — Sophia Loren
“To succeed with the opposite sex tell her you’re impotent. She can’t wait to disprove it.” ― Cary Grant
Other libido enhancing foods include blueberries, fatty fish (although go easy on these due to the high mercury content), pistachios, walnuts, garlic, oats and potatoes.
“Nobody dies from the lack of sex. It’s lack of love we die from.” — Margaret Atwood
An often-overlooked cause of reduced libido, low sperm count, poor sperm motility, and infertility is excess exposure to xenoestrogens – chemicals like PCBs, DDT, dioxin, BPA (bisphenol A), other pesticides, plastics and industrial pollutants. These are compounds that can mimic the effects of estrogen thus creating a relative testosterone deficiency. They are well known to be endocrine system disruptors.
Research has shown that the semen of the average man today has half the amount of sperm in it (and is of poorer quality) than fifty years ago. Furthermore, breast cancer, early onset menses, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, undescended testes, childhood cancers, precocious puberty, and numerous other disorders have all been linked at one time or another to exposure to xenoestrogens.
One can prevent exposure to xenoestrogens or at least minimize their impact on health by doing several things:
“Sex at age 90 is like trying to shoot pool with a rope.” –– George Burns
The benefits of diet and lifestyle changes can be amplified by nutritional and herbal supplements. One or more of the following remedies, in order of most to least effective, may be all that’s needed to enhance libido and fertility:
L-ARGININE SUPPLEMENTATION (6,000 – 12,000 mgs. daily) – promotes natural body production of nitric oxide, much like the drug Viagra. What nitric oxide does is to dilate (widen) the arteries to the genitals. Unlike Viagra, arginine is inexpensive, has never caused any deaths, and has a very low toxicity potential. Arginine has been proven effective for treating low sperm counts and male infertility, as well as wound healing after surgery. Contraindications for its use include kidney disease and herpes simplex, both of which can be made worse by high arginine/low lysine foods like chocolate and nuts.
Women will also welcome arginine supplementation for enhancing their libido levels. Nitric oxide increased by arginine improves vaginal circulation and stimulates the perivascular nerves in the genital area involved in sexual arousal.
The best way of utilizing arginine supplements is to take between 6 and 12 grams an hour before an anticipated sexual encounter. People who cannot take large amounts of this amino acid in capsule form at one sitting can get almost as good results for sexual performance by taking the arginine in divided doses, 3 or 4 times during the day. Alternatively, arginine comes in a powdered form and can be mixed with fruit juice.
L-arginine is an essential amino acid which can be very effective oral therapy for erectile dysfunction, producing harder and longer lasting erections and increasing libido. Aside from its effects on boosting nitric oxide levels, L-arginine is a stimulator of growth hormone release, another hormone involved in enhancing libido. Growth hormone release helps increase muscle mass while decreasing the amount of body fat.
L-arginine also plays an important role in alleviating post-injury problems such as weight changes, nitrogen balance, fatigue and tissue healing. It increases collagen, the main supportive fibrous protein found in bone, cartilage, and other connective tissue, stimulates the immune system and increases the production of sperm (spermatogenesis). L-arginine can be used in treatment of liver disorders because it promotes the detoxification of ammonia which is poisonous to living cells.
One word of caution about L-arginine is that it can cause circulation side effects in people who have had heart attacks, notably because it can interact with blood pressure and other cardiac medications. It is therefore contraindicated in people who have had heart attacks.
L-CITRULLINE – is another amino acid that can be taken as a supplement (1,000 mg twice daily) because it boosts L-arginine levels that increase the levels of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide then relaxes blood vessels leading to better circulation in the pelvic area arteries. Thus, erections are indirectly enhanced by regular L-citrulline supplementation. Since it can lower blood pressure if one takes it on a long term basis, it can interact with numerous blood pressure medications. Like arginine it has been used as natural therapy for high blood pressure in cases where blood pressure medications are not well tolerated.
FOLIC ACID – is another one of the B complex vitamins whose claim to fame has been its ability to prevent neural tube defects in the developing fetus. Folic acid is also important in prevention of heart disease because it’s able to keep levels of the amino acid, homocysteine, in check. Homocysteine has a negative impact on the production of nitric oxide, the molecule considered to be important for both an optimal cardiovascular system as well as a very healthy sex life. Folic acid supplements of 5 to 10 mgs daily help optimize nitric oxide levels. The most active form of folic acid is 5-MTHF (5-methyl-tetra-hydro-folate).
Some individuals, due to a genetic defect, do not convert folic acid from food or supplements to this active form and need to supplement 5-MTHF itself to stay well neurologically.
CHOLINE – is an essential nutrient vital to building and maintaining cell membranes. It is derived in the diet from soybeans and eggs and its use as a supplement is primarily for memory enhancement.
Choline (1.200 mgs, 3 times daily) and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) (1,000 mgs, 3 times daily) are used by the body in the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter important for healthy memory as well as a signal for the release of the enzyme nitrous oxide synthase (NOS). In the presence of L-arginine, this enzyme helps produce nitric oxide. The combination of choline, vitamin B5, and L-arginine are thus needed to produce the nitric oxide for release into the bloodstream so erection can occur.
B COMPLEX (50 – 100 mgs. daily) – should be taken to balance the individual B vitamins taken in higher dosages. While there are no significant side effects to taking high dose folic acid, choline, and pantothenic acid, theoretically one can create relative deficiencies in the other B complex vitamins.
STINGING NETTLE ROOT (1-2 tsps/5-10 ml of the standardized tincture or 500 mgs twice daily of the capsules) – can reduce the testosterone protein-binding process almost tenfold, making more free testosterone available to the brain and other receptors.
AVENA SATIVA (same dosage as above) – is an extract from wild oatstraw, which can also help release bound testosterone, making it more active.
RED CLOVER EXTRACT – is high in the isoflavones genistein and daidzein which are also found in cultured soy products. Not only do these natural compounds help normalize sexual function in men after age 50, but they also prevent prostate cancer as well as other cancers.
MUIRA PUAMA – is a herb that originates in the Amazon rainforests of South America. This plant has shown significant libido-enhancing effects and has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac. People typically use 1 to 2 ml of the extract in water two to three times daily, or take two 500 mgs capsules. Muira puama fortifies the system over a period of months, but some men report increased vitality within two weeks. It has no known toxicity at any dose and is well tolerated by generally healthy men.
MACA (Lepidium meyenii) – is a Peruvian herb root that can significantly improve erectile tissue response. Apparently, it normalizes the levels of steroid hormones such as testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen to those similar to young adults – thus bolstering libido. Men typically use 1,500 to 6,000 mg or more per day in three divided doses. A teaspoon of root powder, containing 2,800 mg of maca root, is used in 8 ounces (227 ml) of water three times daily.
Maca increases seminal volume, count of mobile sperm, and mobility of sperm by up to 200%. It also increases the levels of DHEA which, in turn, increases the levels of testosterone. Maca is also well known as something that helps one cope better with stress. Many also use maca as an overall energy booster.
SAW PALMETTO (Serenoa repens) – is a very popular herb known for its ability to reverse an enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH). About 60% of all men over age 50 suffer from varying degrees of prostate enlargement, which can interfere with normal sexual function. Saw palmetto can be instrumental in reversing this situation. It works by preventing testosterone from converting to dihydrotestosterone, the form of testosterone thought to stimulate prostate enlargement. The recommended daily dose is 1 to 2 grams of whole berries or 320 mg of a standardized extract.
OTHER NATURAL REMEDIES – that support libido and fertility are zinc, vitamin C, niacin, ginkgo biloba extract, panax ginseng, gokhru fruit (Tribulus terrestris), damiana leaf, gotu cola. and velvet elk antler. To read more about these, see my book Boosting Male Libido Naturally (Alive Books, 2000), available at your favorite health food store.
Optimize your hormone balance, libido, fertility, and overall vitality with personalized nutritional guidance.
Call 905-764-8700Zoltan P. Rona, MD, MSc
Zoltan P. Rona, MD, MSc, offers consultations on nutrition and natural remedies in Thornhill. He has recently retired from medical practice as a Complementary and Alternative medical practitioner and now strictly offers nutritional and wellness consultations. He is the medical editor of The Encyclopedia of Natural Healing and has also published several Canadian bestselling books, including Vitamin D, The Sunshine Vitamin. To see more of Zoltan Rona’s articles, visit: www.highlevelwellness.ca and for appointments, please call (905) 764-8700; office located at: 390 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 19, Thornhill, Ontario
HIGHLIGHT
When you suppress or eliminate the body’s acid production with heartburn drugs, you also make it harder for the gastrointestinal tract to digest food – causing gas, bloating, and constipation
By now, most of you are aware of the drug epidemic that is causing thousands to die each year as a direct result of prescription opiates that include OxyContin, oxycodone, fentanyl, and others. In my view, a much lesser known but more cruel and unusual punishment is the slow but certain death suffered by chronic users of a class of drugs called PPIs.
A few years ago, I wrote about PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) and warned about the dangers of long-term use of this class of heartburn-relieving medications in a Vitality article.
Now I offer this article as a second, and louder, warning.
INFO
In my private practice, not a day goes by without the arrival of patients who have been prescribed PPIs for heartburn, GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disorder), or indigestion by their family doctors or specialists. Some of these people have been on the drugs for years. This is in spite of the fact that we now have proof that this class of drugs can cause early death in addition to side effects like dementia, osteoporosis, recurrent infections including pneumonia and Candidiasis, as well as kidney failure.
Despite this, the number of prescriptions issued for PPIs is nothing short of staggering. For example, in 2015 there were 15 million prescriptions for Nexium alone, just one of the numerous PPI choices.
PPIs are called proton pump inhibitors because they bind or inhibit an enzyme (hydrogen potassium adenosine triphosphatase), also known as the proton pump. The proton pump causes the parietal cells in the stomach to produce acid. Through this proton pump inhibition, stomach acidity is reduced or eliminated much more and for much longer periods of time than the histamine H-2 receptor blockers (e.g. cimetidine or ranitidine).
To be specific, here is the current list of generic and brand names of PPIs most commonly in use:
INFO
Some of these PPIs have also been combined with other drugs (e.g. Vimovo). This appears to be either an attempt to fool people into thinking the combos are safer or somehow more effective, or is just a money grab for a new type of drug formula. One recently published article in ProPublica claimed it to be the latter. These drugs make billions of dollars for Big Pharma each year.
PPIs are well tolerated if used for a few days or weeks, but common side effects can include constipation (a frequent symptom of excessively low stomach acidity), diarrhea, headache, skin itch, and skin rash. Rarely, there are reported cases of acute pancreatitis, flu-like illnesses, vomiting, low platelets, hepatitis, and autoimmune disorders. Adverse drug reactions vary from person to person but can be quite devastating when these medications are used for extended periods of time.
HIGHLIGHT
Proton pump inhibitors can raise the risk of hip fractures by 44% if taken for longer than a year because, when you block acid production, you make it more difficult for the body to absorb calcium.
HIGHLIGHT
When you suppress or eliminate the body’s acid production with these drugs, you also make it harder for the gastrointestinal tract to digest food – causing gas, bloating, and constipation. Sometimes this set of symptoms is labelled as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), for which further medication is often prescribed. (By the way, ginger and/or enteric-coated peppermint oil might be a reasonable alternative to the drugs commonly used to treat IBS.)
When PPIs are used regularly, stomach acidity can become so reduced that the body fails to absorb vital nutrients like iron, calcium, zinc, and numerous other minerals. Because these drugs reduce acidity, they can impair a person’s primary defence against bugs in food (bacteria, parasites, and fungi like Candida). This can then lead to both acute and chronic gastrointestinal infections like C. Difficile, which in turn can set one up for a lifetime of IBS, Candidiasis, and food sensitivity syndromes. Essentially, a person is increasing their risk of food poisoning every time they use these drugs.
QUOTE
“There are studies showing that about 40% of patients don’t have an evidence-based reason to be taking a proton pump inhibitor, and that a lot of patients haven’t tried other alternative therapies such as lifestyle modifications or medications that aren’t as strong, or ones that have fewer side-effects.”
Dr. Emily McDonald, McGill University; 2016
The biggest issue with PPIs is the length of time that one uses the drug. Clearly, questioning the use of PPIs after a year of continuous use is a smart thing to do. A word of warning here: do not take yourself off a PPI without medical supervision. PPIs can be lifesaving for those with bleeding ulcers and other serious gastrointestinal issues. Going off of them suddenly can cause serious problems for some individuals, so always work with your doctor to wean off these prescriptions.
As far as I know, no one was born with a PPI deficiency. In my experience, less than 5% of patients prescribed this class of drugs really need to take them. Even if they do, the treatment length of time for heartburn unrelated to ulcers, gastritis, or serious pathology should be no more than a few weeks. Natural alternatives are just as effective and certainly much safer.
LIFESTYLE
LIFESTYLE: Since stress, poor lifestyle choices such as cigarette smoking, and physical inactivity can cause hyperacidity as well as just about any disorder, great benefits can come from making major changes in these areas.
INFECTION
INFECTION: Helicobacter pylori bacterial infections are usually thought to be the cause of peptic ulcer disease and the symptoms that trigger doctors to prescribe either proton pump inhibitors or other drugs. There are a variety of tests your doctor can order for you to make the diagnosis. These include blood tests, breath tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, scopes and even biopsies. Medical doctors treat the H. pylori infection with antibiotics and a variety of antacids and/or acid suppressing drugs.
DIET
DIET: With respect to diet, the best thing to do is eat frequent small meals throughout the day instead of the usual three large meals. Drink more spring or purified water to help dilute acid excess. Therapeutic vegetable juices include carrot, spinach, beet, cucumber, parsley, celery, cabbage and potato. These should be used liberally throughout the day (2 quarts daily). Raw, organic, potato juice consumed just before breakfast can help reduce acid regurgitation.
HIGHLIGHT
Therapeutic vegetable juices include carrot, spinach, beet, cucumber, parsley, celery, cabbage and potato
INFO
(Ed. note: As well, a glass of room temperature water with a squeeze of lemon juice or a spoonful of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in it can calm the stomach and aid digestion.)
Avoid red meat, alcohol, hot sauces, spicy and fried foods, added salt, caffeine products, sugar, and refined carbohydrate products. If you use aspirin, replace it with white willow bark capsules. At least this will not further aggravate the discomfort.
FOOD ALLERGY
FOOD ALLERGY: A large number of people suffer from hyperacidity because of an allergy to milk protein (casein) or gluten found in most grains. Testing for food allergy or sensitivity might be a good idea in the more stubborn cases failing to respond to other diet and supplement changes.
SUPPLEMENTS
SUPPLEMENTS: If you have been diagnosed as having an H. Pylori infection, a common cause of ulcers and gastritis, then the standard medical therapy is antibiotics plus antacids of one kind or another. Alternative natural health products that work like natural antibiotics include garlic, wild mountain oregano oil, mild silver protein (colloidal silver at 23 ppm or less) and berberine. Side effects (in comparison to prescription antibiotics) are minimal. You may already have heard of their safety and efficacy for numerous infections in the gut and other organs like the lungs and sinuses (bronchitis and sinusitis).
Both prescription and natural antibiotics can inhibit the growth of your friendly gut flora including bifido bacteria. This is why, if indeed there is proof of an H. Pylori infection, a multi-strain high potency probiotic (60 billion organisms) should be taken about two hours away from any antibiotic prescription. To soothe any gastrointestinal discomfort and help in the repair of damaged gut tissue, there is a long list of nutritional supplements that can be highly beneficial. Bovine colostrum contains immune modulating substances and has a long history of use to successfully treat chronic diarrhea and other gut disorders.
Essential fatty acid supplements (flaxseed oil, cod liver oil, salmon oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil) are anti-inflammatory and have numerous healing properties. Other nutrients than can either curtail H. Pylori or improve healing include choline, lecithin, PABA, bismuth, bentonite, goldenseal, slippery elm, burdock, manuka honey, ginger root, mastic gum, and aloe vera juice.
Another very effective gut remedy is licorice root, but be careful here. It should be noted here that the long-term use of licorice can elevate blood pressure in some sensitive individuals. The glycyrrhetinic acid component of licorice is what is responsible for this potential side effect. The best way of getting around this problem while still taking advantage of licorice’s ability to protect the gastrointestinal lining from acid irritation is to use deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). Many herbal brands manufacture DGL, a supplement widely available at most health food stores and pharmacies specializing in natural remedies. DGL encourages the goblet cells of the stomach to secrete more mucin, a natural agent that protects the lining of the stomach and duodenum from acid. It is not an antacid but works like one without preventing mineral absorption.
HIGHLIGHT
A multi-strain high potency probiotic (60 billion organisms) should be taken about two hours away from any antibiotic prescription
The amino acid L-Glutamine can also be very useful in treating most hyperacidity symptoms. Well known for its ability to improve muscle definition, L-glutamine can also play a major role in repairing the lining of the gut while reducing food cravings and heartburn symptoms. The usual effective dose is 5000 mg twice daily. I recommend that people use it in a powdered form, mixed with water.
The four-herb combination of burdock, slippery elm, Turkish rhubarb, and sheep sorrel (a.k.a. Essiac) is effective for a wide range of gut problems including hiatal hernia, duodenal ulcers, gastritis, colitis, Crohn’s disease, non-specific indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids and bowel infections. It can be used alone or in combination with DGL, aloe vera juice, or prescription medications in more resistant cases. Check with your doctor or naturopath for a personalized treatment regime.
Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin
Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook (co-authored with Jeanne Marie Martin)
Yan Xie, Benjamin Bowe, Tingting Li, Hong Xian, Yan Yan, Ziyad Al-Aly. Risk of death among users of Proton Pump Inhibitors: a longitudinal observational cohort study of United States veterans. BMJ Open, 2017; 7 (6): e015735 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015735
The Dangers of PPIs (by Chris Kresser). https://tinyurl.com/h8sw6cw
Overmedication with PPIs (report on CBC). https://tinyurl.com/y9njyto6
Zoltan P. Rona. Drugs You Don’t Need. https://tinyurl.com/b3nsfmd
Proton pump inhibitors drug class. https://www.medicinenet.com/proton-pump_inhibitors/page2.htm
How Two Common Medications Became One; posted on ProPublica: Journalism in the Public Interest. https://tinyurl.com/yccrvd8o
L-Glutamine for ulcers; published in the Harvard Gazette: https://tinyurl.com/yaf4a3y4
L-Glutamine: the ultimate healing supplement.https://www.naturalnews.com/035956_glutamine_supplements_healing.html
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Zoltan P. Rona, MD, MSc
Zoltan P. Rona, MD, MSc, offers consultations on nutrition and natural remedies in Thornhill. He has recently retired from medical practice as a Complementary and Alternative medical practitioner and now strictly offers nutritional and wellness consultations. He is the medical editor of The Encyclopedia of Natural Healing and has also published several Canadian bestselling books, including Vitamin D, The Sunshine Vitamin. To see more of Zoltan Rona’s articles, visit: www.highlevelwellness.ca and for appointments, please call (905) 764-8700; office located at: 390 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 19, Thornhill, Ontario
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I first read about the connection between parasites and cancer in the 1995 book entitled “The Cure for All Cancers” by naturopath Hulda Regehr Clark. Based on my medical knowledge at that time I believed that the title represented an outrageous and fraudulent claim. After all, mainstream medicine dismissed the idea that parasites were somehow involved with causing cancer.
Yet reports over the past few decades have surfaced claiming that even late-stage cancers could be brought into remission with a range of anti-parasitic regimens. More studies were also being published in the medical literature on the mechanisms by which parasites cause cancers of all kinds and how various anti-parasitic drugs and natural remedies were causing cancer to be eliminated in humans.
It is estimated that parasites can be found in about 50% of the population in North America. Conventional doctors tend to dismiss parasites unless they show up in stool tests and do not look for them in blood tests or by other means. Livecell (dark field) microscopy can often detect parasites even when stool tests are negative.
We can get parasites from contaminated water, fish and seafood, sushi, pork products and other contaminated foods as well as from close contact with people carrying parasites in their oral cavities, genitals, and gastrointestinal tracts. Some dentists who conduct microscopic examinations of a gum scraping will find parasites in the microscopic field.
Parasites include tapeworms, amoebae, protozoa, flukes, nematodes, hookworms and others. These organisms often cause all manner of digestive disturbances, immune system abnormalities, and chronic fatigue. A high blood level of the white blood cell known as eosinophils is often a strong sign of the presence of parasites in the body.
There are several effective natural parasite killers which have virtually no side effects in most individuals. Unfortunately, those afflicted with serious parasite infiltration will experience die-off reactions as the natural remedies kill off the parasites. This is because the parasites release their toxins as they die off, irritating the gastrointestinal tract which in turn causes pain, cramping, and diarrhea.
The good news is that this is only a temporary effect that stops once the majority of the parasites have been eliminated. In her book “The Cure for all Cancers,” Hulda Clark recommended several of these herbs in her treatment protocol.
Black walnut contains large amounts of juglone, a poison for parasites but not humans. It has been used for centuries to fight numerous bacteria, fungi and parasites. It also works as a mild laxative that eliminates dead microbes and other waste from the digestive tract.
Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia Annua) has also long been employed as a parasite killer and has been used successfully to inhibit malaria (Plasmodium Falciparum). It was also used successfully to treat viruses like Covid-19 in some countries during that pandemic. Some research suggests that it has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and immunoregulatory benefits.
Garlic is another traditional parasite and unwanted microbe killer. Bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites are all killed off by one of its beneficial compounds called allicin. Eating fresh garlic smashed and chopped up can help kill most parasites.
Wild mountain oregano oil is a powerful antimicrobial remedy which has been used to treat infections with bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. It’s often also recommended to treat allergy symptoms and chronic infections like sinusitis, bronchitis and many types of gastrointestinal infections.
Neem is a potent anti-microbial originating from the Neem tree and used in Ayurvedic Medicine especially for a variety of skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema. It can be used both orally and topically as an anti-inflammatory remedy. It contains the anti-parasitic compound nimbidin. According to Klaus Ferlow, renowned Neem researcher, Neem leaf tea taken twice per day for one week is the usual method for eliminating parasites from the body. Tinctures and extracts are also available.
Grapefruit seed contains the bioflavonoid hesperidin which has both antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. Grapefruit seed extract is especially effective as an anti-fungal remedy.
Most people know that cloves are an effective remedy for toothaches and gum infections. Even conventional dentists use the clove extract eugenol in treating gum and tooth pain. What’s not widely known is that cloves also kill parasites and numerous other pathogenic microbes. They have profound anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits.
On the other hand, Neem is generally used individually as a tea or tincture for treating parasites. Oil of Oregano is available as a bitter-tasting oil that only requires one or two drops for a therapeutic effect. Dr. Hulda Clark recommended many of these listed above in her book, along with an electronic parasite zapper.
It’s important to avoid sugar and refined carbohydrate foods to prevent parasites from flourishing. Consuming anti-microbial herbs such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, clove, cayenne pepper, and ginger in your diet is also a good preventive strategy.
Foods that can fight parasites include:
These latter foods help establish a healthy bacterial flora that can prevent parasites from getting a foothold in the intestines.
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Studies show that the full moon is associated with higher parasite activity. We produce less melatonin and more serotonin during the full moon and this imbalance weakens the immune system that fends off parasites effectively. A melatonin supplement taken for a few days before and after the full moon may be worthwhile not only to help with sleep but to boost one’s immunity to parasites.
I have not historically recommended the use of any of these drugs. But many clients are now coming to see me who have already purchased them without a prescription or their doctor’s approval and are seeking more information about how they work and the evidence of their safety and efficacy.
These drugs have been strongly vilified by both Western medicine and the mainstream media and efforts are currently underway in Canada to ban them from the market. The various Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons across Canada, in collusion with provincial governments, are attempting to ban these drugs and are both penalizing and disciplining doctors that prescribe them. I expect you will hear a lot more news about these censorship events soon.
Ivermectin has been available since the late 1970s for the treatment of a variety of parasitic infections. It is also recognized as a potent anti-viral compound. Many of you may have heard of its success during the Covid-19 era both as a preventive or as a curative for this infection.
Now evidence is accumulating to show its benefits as an anti-cancer and anti-tumor agent. In 2015, Dr. Satoshi Omura won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery of Ivermectin. Despite media misinformation, the fact is that Ivermectin is safe for human use with few side effects in most users. Critics have labelled it as a horse de-wormer which is toxic to humans but this is a complete falsehood. It is remarkably safe and well tolerated with minimal side effects.
There is an accumulating body of evidence showing that Ivermectin has substantial value in the treatment of many different cancers.
The most common ones reported in the medical literature include:
Despite its record of success, the public has been misled about Ivermectin, and the character and reputation of ethical physicians has been maligned across the US and Canada for daring to prescribe it. Not only that, but social media posts about its benefits have been censored and well-meaning physicians have been delicensed and/or fined for prescribing the drug to treat viral infections like Covid-19.
Currently the Alberta government is attempting to ban its prescription and various Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons across Canada have been disciplining physicians who prescribe Ivermectin.
Liquid, paste and cream forms of Ivermectin sourced from countries like India may contain chemicals like Polysorbate 80 and thus are not fit for human consumption and may be pro-inflammatory. Swallowing these forms could damage the gastrointestinal tract and cause leaky gut syndrome. Veterinary sources of Ivermectin are at the low end of purity and could have side effects on the GI system that non-veterinary sources don’t have.
On the other hand, the raw material used for one brand of Ivermectin called IverMed-12 is 98.6% pure. This brand is available from www.freedomhealth.is and is preferred over veterinary sources.
Mebendazole is another potent anti-parasitic drug which was first used to treat a broad spectrum of parasites in humans in 1971. Fenbendazole is the veterinary version of the same drug and has also been successfully used by humans to treat cancer but is not as pure as Mebendazole.
Despite this, many people use Fenbendazole that they purchase from veterinary sources to treat their cancers. It works by disrupting and inhibiting glucose uptake by cancer cells and parasites, thus starving them to death. It has additional anti-cancer effects through microtubule polymerization, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, anti-angiogenesis, and blocking glutamine uptake pathways. No wonder that it has been reported to reverse even end stage cancers.
Mebendazole has low toxicity but may cause transient symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea because of a die-off reaction to the killing of parasites. In rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions such as rash, urticaria, and angioedema, have also been observed. It is contraindicated during pregnancy and must be used with caution in infants below the age of 2.
Mebendazole can sensitize cancer cells to conventional therapy such as chemotherapy and radiation, thus enhancing overall cancer controlling therapy.
Mebendazole has been shown to have a high level of activity against leukaemia, colon cancer, CNS, colon and melanoma cell lines, with lesser activity in breast, ovarian and renal cell lines.
Other cancer types which have responded favourably to Mebendazole include lung cancer, adrenocortical cancer, chemo resistant melanoma, and glioblastoma multiforme. Mebendazole can cross the blood brain barrier and has a low toxicity profile, thus making it an attractive anti-cancer remedy for brain cancers like glioblastoma.
It is also available online through the Health Freedom website, at: https://healthfreedom.is/product-category/healing/mebendazole/
Since 1876 Methylene Blue has been used not only as a textile dye but also as a remedy for parasites such as those causing malaria.
Peer reviewed studies have shown that Methylene Blue has had success in a diverse list of health concerns. Its benefical effects include cognitive enhancement by improving mitochondrial function, anti-aging, improving cellular vitality, increasing longevity, anti-cancer benefits, anti-parasitic and other anti-microbial effects as well as antioxidant and free radical protection benefits.
Methylene Blue is generally regarded as safe but may react adversely with MAO inhibitors, SSRIs and other anti-depressants so caution is indicated for those who take those types of drugs.
Joe Tippens is a man who was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 small cell lung cancer in 2017 and sent home to die. He had exhausted all conventional treatments and was told he had a 1% chance of survival. Nothing was prescribed for him by his doctors who had basically given up on him. A friend suggested that he had nothing to lose by taking Fenbendazole and some natural remedies (curcumin, CBD oil, vitamin E). To make a long story short he achieved complete remission of his cancer within months and is now alive and well.
(taken from Dr. William Makis web site)
Please understand that I am not endorsing any of these anti-cancer treatments but just reporting the facts from the medical literature and what many cancer victims are now doing on their own. The connection between parasites and cancer is still very controversial and mainstream medicine and oncologists are adamantly opposed to the treatments advocated by doctors like Dr. William Makis for cancer.
Whatever you decide to do about this information, discuss it with your family doctor and specialist before embarking on anti-parasitic treatment for cancer. Do your own research and talk to other people that have used these therapies before you make any decisions regarding your own situation.
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