Archive for March, 2009
Back in the early 1970s a researcher in the employ of the U.S. Government National Institutes of Health (NIH) made a discovery. In a certain strain of laboratory rats he found a substance that not only made animals immune to getting arthritis, but also cured afflicted animals. The substance, originally extracted from ground up Swiss Albino Mice, is called cetylmyristoleate.
However, when the researcher reported his remarkable findings to his superiors in an attempt to secure funding for additional research, his request was mysteriously denied. Nevertheless, struggling along without authorization, he continued his studies and reported further successes. Strangely, not only were his requests for funding continuously denied, all of his accomplishments went completely unrecognized. Though they never said so directly, it was as though the NIH wanted him to abandon the project completely. Discouraged though he was, he still continued his research as best he could with absolutely no funding at all. When he retired about a decade later, since even the mere existence of his work went completely unacknowledged by the NIH, he took his discovery with him and continued the research on his own. And well he deserved to do so. Had he not, his discovery may never have come to light.
It has been reported that some time later, one by one he went to three different major pharmaceutical companies offering to share his discovery. One by one, his offers were
rejected – not for lack of effectiveness, but because the product was derived from natural sources it could not be patented in a way to hog all the profits. The companies couldn’t care less about the fact that it worked, only that they couldn’t protect it from being manufactured by some competing company. Nor did they express any interest in funding further research on the project.
One could also speculate on the likelihood that by making available a product that potentially reverses the arthritic process permanently, it would kill their annual multi-billion dollar sales of existing arthritis products – all of which must be taken repeatedly for the rest of the arthritis victims’ lives. Quite understandably, of course, the pharmaceutical companies love products that lead to a lifetime of repeat sales.
After its rejection by the pharmaceutical companies the project lay fallow for several years. No further attempts were made to explore its potential.
The chain of events that followed have never been made crystal clear. It has been reported that as some years passed, the researcher himself began to suffer terribly from arthritis and was receiving conventional medical therapy to treat it. It is important to note that despite the fact that he had explored the safety and effectiveness of his discovery on lower animals at the NIH, research had never reached the level of testing on higher animals. But once his arthritis reached excruciating extremes and his physician told him that he was beyond any effective help, the researcher decided to take a risk. He brewed up a batch of cetylmyristoleate at home and injected himself. Thus, he became the first person ever to receive the substance as a test of the discovery on human beings. We honour his courage.
It was a historic moment. He began to feel symptomatic relief the very next day, and soon he reached a point where he experienced total reversal of his arthritis. His doctor was astonished when he subsequently examined his patient and heard the whole story of the discovery.
The doctor was so impressed that he persuaded him to write an account of his research project. The doctor promised to help him get it published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, hoping that the article might stimulate someone into continuing the exploration of the project. Then, early in 1995, a few months after the article appeared, that’s exactly what happened. The San Diego Clinic International Immunological Centre (SDC) embarked on a project to develop the discovery into a usable product.
But long before that, it seems that several years had intervened between the self-injection and the actual publication of the article. Meanwhile, it has been reported, even though the substance was provided quite informally to a couple hundred more arthritis victims with astounding success, there was no formal progress in research or development.
The journal article itself didn’t seem to stimulate much interest either. Perhaps that’s because it was only three pages long and dealt solely with mouse model studies. Besides, it was reporting on research that took place over twenty years before. Perhaps the readers thought there couldn’t be much value to something that had lain dormant so very long. Or maybe they thought there must have been more recent research that refuted the early findings. Nor did the article provoke questions about why it had been ignored by the NIH and how it came to buried for so
long – except in one instance.
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There are only a few distributors that offer legitimate CMO, using the same form I tested in my medical clinics, and have demonstrated to be effective in with my patients. Unfortunately, there are also many ineffective products fraudulently labelled “CMO” being foisted on unsuspecting arthritis victims. The authenticity of the genuine product was confirmed in a recent court decision. A Federal District Court awarded monetary damages to the manufacturer of the genuine product as a result of a case filed against one impostor. We devote a whole chapter later in this book to help you identify and avoid those counterfeit products. Preying on the public by producing, would you believe, worthless counterfeit CMO! So look for products using certified CMO, such as CMO Cerasomal-cis-9-cetylmyristoleate™ fatty acids. In some parts of the world, including parts of Europe, the authentic product is individually certified with a coded serial number unique to each bottle of the authenticated product.
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From our work we have found that only CMO has corrective and restorative immunomodulatory properties for autoimmune diseases. Other so-called “immunomodulators” do not. They function primarily as immunosuppressants or immunostimulants. They are capable of only one principal action, either suppressing or stimulating immune function.
CMO, on the other hand, corrects autoimmune programs within the memory T-cells themselves rather than just temporarily suppressing or stimulating immune system activities. That is why a single CMO therapy program can correct memory T-cell faults without any need to continually apply the therapy or use any additional medication of any kind.
CMO is not an immunosuppressant, nor an immunostimulant. Nor is it a pharmaceutical. It is a naturally derived substance. Some practitioners have speculated that, in the case of arthritis for example, CMO merely acts upon pain receptors at the arthritic site. If that were so, CMO’s effects would not be so permanent. Furthermore, that theory cannot explain:
• how CMO lowers blood sedimentation rates in lupus patients,
• or how it reverses lung inflammation in emphysema,
• or how it lowers the need for insulin in diabetics,
• or how it reverses prostate inflammation,
• or how it relieves certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis,
• or how it corrects Crohn’s disease,
• or how it reverses fibromyalgia
• or how it lowers high blood pressure yet elevates low blood pressure,
• or how it benefits virtually any ailment with autoimmune components.
Obviously, CMO is a general remedial immunomodulator that acts upon the memory T-cells which control the autoimmune processes within our bodies. Those who speculate otherwise have misunderstood the physiological actions of CMO within the body.
It is also important to understand that CMO acts only upon memory T-cells and does not inhibit the activities of any of the several other types of T-cells or protective immune system agents that are responsible for combating invading microorganisms or intrusive substances.
Unlike the immunosuppressants commonly used to try to temporarily control the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, CMO does not leave the body vulnerable to attack by disease-causing agents. Nor does it inhibit the body’s resistance to tumor formation, as do the dangerous tumor necrosis factor (TNF) suppressants of some new arthritis drugs
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Now it might be useful to explain autoimmune processes in genera] with greater clarity. A keen understanding can be very useful in everyday life. Let’s start with a simple step-by-step explanation of the arthritic process because that applies to virtually every human autoimmune process and virtually all diseases with autoimmune factors.
The Autoimmune-Arthritic Process – Step-By-Step
The following is an overview of the autoimmune-arthritic process. The process is explained in eleven steps. It all starts with initiation of altered autoimmune system function.
1. First, infection, trauma, or excessive wear affects the joints. The usual infections are rheumatic fever, flu, or bacteria. Traumas include events such as, jolts or injuries from auto wrecks, falls, sports injuries, jogging, etc. Excessive joint wear comes from being overweight, or from repetitive use of keyboards, jackhammers, knitting needles, screwdrivers etc.
2. The effects of #1 cause damaged or infected cartilage particles to be dislodged from their normal site. This happens regardless of whether it’s rheumatoid, reactive, or osteoarthritis.
3. Macrophages of the immune system begin a cleanup of these dislodged cartilage particles. That’s a normal part of their job.
4. Macrophages report their activities to dormant memory T-cells, which are the commanding “generals” of the immune system that direct the activities of other immune cells.
5. The reports from the macrophages activate the dormant memory T-cells, then develop aggressive anti-cartilage cleanup programs. Unfortunately, these programs do not distinguish between healthy and damaged cartilage.
7. The increased memory T-cell population continues to stimulate more macrophage activity, and the self-perpetuating cycle of cartilage destruction expands. Because the memory T-cell programs don’t limit macrophage activity to damaged cartilage only, destruction of healthy cartilage also occurs. It has now developed into a destructive autoimmune process. But, until sufficient cartilage has been destroyed, symptoms are not evident. The individual is unaware that the destructive process is occurring.
8. The initiating factor (infection, trauma, weight) taking place in # 1, may have disappeared many months or years ago, but the destructive autoimmune process remains active. It is self perpetuating and no longer dependent upon the initiating factor. When this happens it has become a pure autoimmune disease.
9. The cycle is compounded by the fact that the mechanism which should deactivate certain memory T-cells (those that have completed their mission) fails to function. The constant macrophage re-stimulation of the memory T-cells keeps them active. The memory T-cells also re-stimulate each other. So now there is an overabundance of memory T-cells propelling macrophage cartilage destruction. The immune system is now totally out of control and massive cartilage destruction often begins. Early symptoms of pain and inflammation often appear.
10. Cartilage destruction accelerates. The cycle reaches an explosive critical mass. Macrophages are now scouring the body to find and destroy any cartilage anywhere it can be found. Symptoms become more severe. Pain, inflammation, and joint deformity intensify at old sites and now appear at new sites as they suffer macrophage attacks. Any or all joints may be affected, including the spine.
11. Symptoms of pain, stiffness, swelling, nodules, and deformation often reach intolerable and crippling levels-especially as joint cartilage disappears and bone-on-bone erosion occurs. Conventional arthritis medications also take their toll on the liver, kidneys, and heart. Normal life span is often shortened by ten or twenty years not only from the ravages of arthritis, but from the side effects of both prescription and over-the-counter medications as well.
By deactivating the memory T-cells, CMO intervention (the sooner the better) can stop the autoimmune process at any point.
Current medical dogma holds that only rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. On the contrary, the above explanation makes it evident that osteoarthritis is an autoimmune disease as well. The sooner the medical community accepts that fact, the better they may be able to treat their arthritis patients effectively.
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In the case of arthritis, once macrophages have dealt with some particles of cartilage they develop a chemical message that’s passed on to the memory T-cells. If there’s only one message of that type, the memory T-cells ignore it, but if that message is repeated then they develop a program instructing more and more macrophages to dispose of the cartilage. Unfortunately, that message doesn’t (or maybe can’t) distinguish between healthy or unhealthy cartilage. So the destructive onslaught against your joints begins.
It seems that it is the inflammatory process itself that initiates the arthritic process, regardless of what triggers the inflammation. In other words, the arthritic process can start whether the particles of cartilage result from an attack by certain pathogenic micro-organisms (leading to rheumatoid arthritis) or by a trauma (developing into osteoarthritis)!
In either case, rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, it results in a vicious cycle. As more macrophages bring back messages to the memory T-cells, more and more T-cells develop programs that direct attacks against the cartilage and arthritis continues to get progressively worse. You almost never hear of arthritis getting better. Now you’ve learned why.
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TESTING: NEW TECHNIQUES TO DETECT TRICHOMONAS
Author: admin
New techniques to detect trichomonas are being studied; they employ the polymerase chain reaction test, which looks for the genetic material of the protozoa. Blood tests designed to detect the body’s immune response to the infection are also under study These newer tests are not yet used routinely in clinical practice.
Trichomoniasis is harder to diagnose in men than in women. Cultures can be taken from the urethra in men to make the diagnosis, although this approach often does not reveal trichomonas, even in men who have the infection. The only evidence may be white blood cells from a urethral swab test seen under the microscope on nongonococcal urethritis). Trichomonas infection is estimated to cause between 2 and 5 percent of cases of nongonococcal urethritis in men in the United States. Men most often seek treatment for trichomonas because their partners have been diagnosed with trichomoniasis rather than as a result of symptoms they have noticed in themselves.
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HIV VIRUS: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Author: admin
Most people who are infected with HIV have no symptoms: they feel fine, they look fine, and they would not know they were infected unless they were tested. However, between 30 and 70 percent of newly infected people develop a flu-like illness within two to six weeks of becoming infected. Symptoms usually last one or two weeks and include a sore throat, fever, night sweats, lymph node swelling throughout the body, muscle aches, and a diffuse flat, red rash over the entire body. The symptoms resolve on their own.
It is during this time that most people develop antibodies to the infection, a process called seroconversion. Antibodies are proteins that the immune system makes in response to infections. It is also at this time that people have a large amount of the virus circulating in their systems, and there can also be a temporary drop in the number of circulating CD4 cells (the specific type of cell of the immune system that the virus infects), owing to direct damage by the virus. Because these symptoms are so vague, those experiencing them may seek no medical care at this time. If they do seek medical care, they may be diagnosed with HIV infection or misdiagnosed with one of the many other viral infections that can cause similar symptoms. Again, not everyone has these symptoms, and, certainly, not every cold or flu signals HIV infection. Soon after initial infection the body begins to succeed in keeping the virus in check, and a person remains symptom free, on average, for ten years. During this time, it is not uncommon for infected people to notice lymph node enlargement throughout the body. Lymph nodes, which are found in many locations in the body, may swell as a result of infections and malignancies, both of which stimulate the immune system. Because HIV infection involves constant stimulation of the immune system, the nodes are often swollen, even early in an infection. Indeed this may be the only symptom of HIV infection at this time.
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Pap smear results are reported in four ways, known as the class system, the CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) system, the descriptive system, and the Bethesda system. Which system is used depends on the laboratory to which the specimen was sent. The results are reported as follows:
1. Class I
CIN system: normal
Descriptive system: no abnormal cells seen, or negative
Bethesda system: within normal limits
A follow-up Pap smear is recommended in one year.
2. Class II
CIN system: normal, with a description given of any findings that may be unusual
Descriptive system: atypical cells, as seen with cervicitis and other infections
Bethesda system: infection, reactive or reparative changes seen, or atypical cells of unknown significance (ASCUS)
Although this is still a “negative” Pap smear in terms of cancer screening, either infection or “atypical” cells may be seen, and these may or may not be precancerous. Any infection must be identified and treated and a follow-up Pap smear performed, usually in three to six months. If no infection is present, another Pap smear in three to six months is still indicated. In addition to infection, some other causes of these changes may include atrophy (thinning) of the tissues as seen postmenopause and the presence of an intrauterine device. If the abnormalities persist or progress on the follow-up smear, then a colposcopic examination of the cervix is in order.
3. Class III
CIN system: CIN I-III
Descriptive system: dysplasia (mild to severe)
Bethesda system: squamous intraepithelial lesion (low- to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [SIL])
This category encompasses a wide range of possible Pap smear results. In general, the lower the grade or number, the lower the need for concern, although close follow-up is recommended for all women whose Pap results fall into this category. About two-thirds of the lower-grade lesions resolve without treatment.
For the lower-grade lesions (CIN I, mild dysplasia, or low-grade SIL), a follow-up Pap smear should be performed in three to six months, or a colposcopy could be done at the start. If a total of three follow-up Pap smears at six-month intervals come back as normal, then a schedule of yearly Pap smears can be resumed. A colposcopy and a biopsy of suspicious lesions are recommended if the changes do not resolve on their own or if the changes progress to a higher-grade lesion.
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For men or women performing oral-genital sex on a female partner or oral-anal sex on any partner, latex barriers will offer the most protection against transmission of sexually transmitted infections. One type of latex barrier used for this purpose is the dental dam, which is a small (six-inch) square of latex commonly used in dentists’ offices to prevent splattering of oral secretions into the dentist’s face during procedures. Many people also use them for protection during oral sex by placing the dam over the female partner’s genitals or the female or male partner’s anal area before beginning oral sex. They come in different flavors, which can make using them more fun. You may want to wash off the dam before use, since sometimes there is a dusting of powder on it, to which some people may have an allergic reaction. In addition, it’s a good idea to put a dab of water-based lubricant on the side that comes into contact with the partner’s genital or anal area, since this enhances the pleasure. Dental dams tend to be thicker than condoms or gloves and therefore may offer less sensory pleasure. Dental dams are available from stores that sell dental supplies or stores or mail-order businesses that sell sex toys.
Another option for oral-female genital or oral-anal sex is cutting open a condom or a latex glove and using it in the same way. Again, since spermicide tastes bad to many people, unlubricated condoms are a better choice for this method than lubricated ones. Condoms can be purchased in most pharmacies and grocery stores, and latex gloves are also available in most pharmacies.
There are plastic options as well. Plastic may offer better sensory stimulation, since it is thinner than latex yet it probably provides the same degree of protection. It is a good option for those who have a sensitivity to latex. The newer plastic condoms can be split down the middle and placed over a partner’s genitals or anal area to permit the performance of safer oral sex. Another alternative is household plastic wrap. Although there aren’t any scientific studies to show that plastic wrap offers good protection, it is better than no protection, and it offers the option of using as big a piece as you need. You may want to use more than one layer of plastic wrap for extra protection. Plastic barriers can be used with water- or oil-based lubricants, and putting a small amount on the side that touches your partner can enhance his or her pleasure.
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WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AN STD EXAMINATION
Author: admin
Seeking advice about a problem related to sexuality can be difficult. Because of this, many people with sexual health concerns never seek help for their problems. Others go to their health care providers, but once they get there they are too embarrassed to mention what is really worrying them. Some people who do try to get proper care find that their health care provider is also embarrassed or doesn’t have expertise in issues related to sexual health, so they don’t get the attention, understanding, or treatment that they need. Finally, there are those who never have themselves tested because they are afraid of what the results might be.
There are many good reasons to overcome embarrassment and fear and seek medical advice if you suspect that you may have a sexually transmitted disease. Someone who is infected but doesn’t know it, for example, can still infect his or her sexual partners, and pregnant women who are infected with certain STDs may pass the infections to their babies during the pregnancy or at delivery. There are infections of the reproductive tract that can cause infertility in both men and women if they are not detected and treated in time. Some STDs can cause cancer or death. Many infections are curable, however, so early detection and treatment are essential for your long-term health.
If you are convinced of the importance of early detection of sexually transmitted infection, and if you are committed to being vigilant about your sexual health, what should you do? You may decide that you want to be tested on a regular basis, say every six months to a year, especially if you are sexually active and not in a steady, monogamous relationship. People who are in steady, monogamous relationships may want to be tested before they become intimate. You may want to make STD screening part of your annual physical examination. These are all good ideas, and so is getting tested after any unprotected sexual contact with a partner whose status for infection is unknown.
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