Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[mftnchn]

Ampalaya contains a mixture of flavanoids and alkaloids make the Pancreas produce more insulin that controls the blood sugar in diabetics. Aside from Ampalaya

[mftnchn]

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Looks like it can lower fat stored in the body as adipose tissue....as well as control blood sugar and regulate insulin. Hmm, I think my morning veggies slushes are taking on more importance....

[mftnchn]

In China and Southeast Asia, bitter melon has been in use for centuries as an anti-tumor and anti-infection agent. Studies in Hongkong showed that specific protein extracts in bitter melon or it's seed are useful in the treatment of cancer and HIV infection. The Chinese also use it for cases of gastroenteritis, tumors and viral infections. In fact, bitter melon may be the only medicinal plant with a fan club. In the United States, patients who have gone from HIV-positive to HIV-negative through the sole use of bitter melon as a treatment, have put up a club called The Bitter Melon Therapy Group.

Bitter Melon has been used as both a food and medicine throughout Asia as a therapeutic remedy in a variety of illnesses such as leukemia, diabetes, asthma, insect bites, menstrual cycle problems, stomach problems, as well as many other maladies. Recent studies have found anti-HIV properties.

Reduced Adiposity in Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)-Fed Rats Is Associated with Increased Lipid Oxidative Enzyme Activities and Uncoupling Protein Expression

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Bitter Melon has been recommended by the Department of Health of the Philippines, as one of the best herbal medicines for it's ability to help with liver problems, Diabetes and HIV.

Bitter Melon, or Momordica charantia, is found in tropical areas of the Amazon, east Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, and is cultivated throughout South America as a food and medicine. It contains an array of biologically active plant chemicals including triterpenes, proteins, and steroids. One chemical has clinically demonstrated the ability to inhibit the enzyme that is linked to the cause of psoriasis and necessary for the growth of leukemia and cancer cells. In addition, a protein found in bitter melon, momordin, has clinically demonstrated anti-cancerous activity against Hodgkin's lymphoma in animals.

Other proteins in the plant, alpha- and beta-momorcharin and cucurbitacin B, have been tested for possible anti-cancerous effects. Among the reported properties of bitter melon are: kills bacteria, kills viruses, kills cancer cells, kills leukemia cells, prevents tumors, reduces inflammation, fights free radicals, enhances libido, cleanses blood, detoxifies, treats diabetes, expels worms, reduces blood sugar, balances hormones, reduces blood pressure, enhances immunity, lowers body temperature, mildly laxative and promotes milk flow. Several studies have demonstrated the anti-tumorous activity of bitter melon. In one study, a water extract blocked the growth of rat prostate carcinoma; another study reported that a hot water extract of the entire plant inhibited the development of mammary tumors in mice. Numerous in vitro studies have also demonstrated the anti-cancerous and anti-leukemic activity of bitter melon against numerous cell lines, including liver cancer, human leukemia, melanoma, and solid sarcomas.

Like several of its isolated plant chemicals, bitter melon also has been documented with in vitro antiviral activity against numerous viruses, including Epstein-Barr, herpes, and HIV viruses. In one in vivo study, a leaf extract increased resistance to viral infections and had an immuno-stimulant effect in humans and animals, increasing interferon production and natural killer cell activity.

Now I wonder if it works on lyme???

Okay, that's probably all you ever wanted to know about bitter melon! LOL

I figure it is supposed to work to regulate blood sugar, help the liver, boost the immune system, get rid of worms and help with infections. So it probably will help and likely won't hurt.

Sherry

[Rachel--24]

I got no transportation for the rest of the week. I wont be coming home for lunch like I normally do....I guess I have no choice but to buy oscar meyer hot dogs and other junk at work.

Either that or I'll freeze some beef and peas and microwave them on my lunch. Hot dogs sounds much better though.

My friends picking me up today and taking me to chelation....YAY...cant miss that!! My cold's pretty much gone (except for lingering cough) so I should be ok for the DMPS and the porphyrin test.

[mftnchn]

Good Rachel. Hate to see you have to reschedule.

[CarlaB]

but my LLMD said if I wasn't comfortable with that, I'd have to figure something out, like amino acid capsules? I don't know....what do you guys think about that, since you're kind of on that topic..

How about whey protein? Whatever it is, I'd be sure it's organic since you are so sensitive. Maybe you can have whey, turkey, and fish tested.

Oh and one more question aimed toward Kassandra and other young lymies...I dropped out of college (for now!, and it's justified medically now that I have the positive lyme blood test) and now I'm kind of panicking...because most days I feel kind of terrible

Okay, I'm not young ..... but my first flare was in college. All I did was lie around all day, except to go to class. The only reason I didn't have to drop out was because college was easy for me. My roommate took me to the ER because she was so worried, and all they could tell me was not to drink so much. Yeah, on a day I was up to it, I'd have a couple drinks if I went out, but certainly not enough to be told that!

It was really hard, especially since I didn't know what was wrong. I ended up getting better over the summer when I did nothing but exercise and lay out in the sun.

I hated college and couldn't wait to get out ..... you will have other great times in your life. Hang in there, you will see progress with treatment. I felt steadily better as I was treated .... though I had initial herxes as I started each med .... and monthly flares.

Other sites mention that it really lowers blood sugar and is used to treat diabetes.

Sounds like a promising product! I hope anyone trying to get pregnant noticed it can cause abortions.

[Calicoe]

Thanks for the warm welcomes. I've learned tons here already.

[dlp252]

Paula,

Um, I think we've all been in denial about one thing or another, lol, so you're in good company.

Rinne,

Glad you stopped by! Glad you got the nausea thing figure out.

Hi Calicoe,

Wow, I saw a lot of my own symptoms in your post! Glad you found us.

Kassandra,

Stupid insurance...but I LOVE Las Vegas, lol.

Rachel,

Sorry about the costly repairs...that was one of the things that set me so far behind last year...two $1500 repairs in a short time.

So is there a way to find out how many points you have against your driving record, lol?

I'm hoping to buy a new car next year sometime. Carpet first, then car, lol.

Birdy,

Sorry about your herx/flare...yeah, my doctors all warn me about doing too much, so I just don't do anything. Good luck in Cleveland.

LittleMiss,

I know we've talked about the foot baths before here, but I can't remember who has tried them now, lol.

Besides around here we have so many lyme brains...that we have to repeat things a lot to get them. So asking about something is normal even when we aren't behind reading 30 pages!!!

Ain't that the truth, lol!

Other sites mention that it really lowers blood sugar and is used to treat diabetes.

I figure it is supposed to work to regulate blood sugar, help the liver, boost the immune system, get rid of worms and help with infections. So it probably will help and likely won't hurt.

Ooh, must check this out. I KNOW I'm having a problem with sugars now....sugar metabolish, blood sugar, etc. I can feel it.

Everyone,

Well, I am perplexed. I just don't get it...my body that is. So my neck has been really sore (left side) again lately and so has my right big toe. But here's what is perplexing...my throat is tender...not really sore, just tender. It's like it wants to be sore but it's not there yet. My right ear has been itchy and "hot" for a couple of days, and today there is pain there. The pain comes and goes and is tied to the throat (like when I swallow). Now, I get this from time to time, but it's usually when I eat too much diary. But, I haven't eaten any dairy! I've also been pretty good about not eating gobs of sugar since I saw Dr. S last week, haven't had a single piece of chocolate since then, just a little agave nectar on a couple of days which is much less than I was having.

It almost sounds like I might be having a little herx or flare, but I'm not really taking anything new or extra (well, did take extra caprylic acid one day, lol). Could just cutting out the chocolate cause the ear/throat thing, lol?!

[CarlaB]

Donna, the Lyme (or most likely bart) causes sore throats for me.

[dlp252]

I've been thinking about bart too because my feet have been hurting more too...like the bottoms of my feet. It's not plantar faciitis--I've had that before.

Hum, maybe a couple of days I took extra banderol, but only like 1 drop. I'm only taking 5 drops twice a day, and I think one day I accidentally put in 6 drops, lol.

[confused]

Everyone,

I got my mold results back. They found cladosporium, penicillium, ulocladium and non-sporalating fungi. Could these molds be enough to cause mold toxicity. Im off to research them now.

paula

[AndreaB]

Rachel,

Sorry about the wheels not being available. We'll miss seeing you during the day. I hope you figure out something safe to eat......hot dogs definately don't sound like they fit in that category.

Hope your IV goes well today and that they won't mind the lingering cough.

Donna,

Sounds like a lyme flare to me, possibly. I don't know if one drop could cause all that, but you never know.

[AndreaB]

Paula,

I don't know about molds and which ones were bad. I thought Jin had said penicillium was a bad one. She may have more insight.

[confused]

Another serious health threat from mold exposure is systemic fungal infection. Immunocompromised individuals exposed to high levels of mold, or individuals with chronic exposure paired with mycotoxin exposure may become infected. Sinuses and digestive tract infections are most common; lung and skin infections are also possible. Alcohol and mycotoxin production may result from the fungal growth, leading to myriad symptoms. Sudden food allergies and digestive problems can mislead diagnosis. Treatment can be long-term (many years). Systemic infection may be of the environmental mold itself, or by other common food-related molds consumed under a weakened immune system. A weakened immune system may also give rise to opportunistic infections, for example bacterial infection.

So this could be the cause of all my food intolerances in the last few years.

This is all making sense, the more i research. My oldest son was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago. Then my 8 yr old was suspected of asthma about 2 months ago. My girls get croup alot lately. My husband has sore throats and sick alot. I of course have more health issues from the mold.

Andrea,

From what i have read, penicillium is the worst one of the 4. This is the one that lets off mycotxins.

paula

[confused]

Ughhhh. I just did an search in here on penicillium and quoted everyone and then it erased everything. So im not just going to type some things lol

Andrea, So seth tested high for penicillium. What did the dr for him?

I see that this mold along with asperilligus (sp) is in cigarettes. This is why i felt better after i quit smoking. I also wonder if this is why my stepson got so sick around smoke a couple of weeks ago. I never thought about mold in cigarettes.

Jin,

If you see this, what all do you know about penicillium, i seen you post about molds last year lol.

paula

[AndreaB]

Andrea, So seth tested high for penicillium. What did the dr for him?

He had a lot of LED's (Laser Energetic Detox) as well as the ASYRA drops. He's been on chlorella since last summer (forget when he started).

I'll look up his LED's and see if anything targeted the penecillium.

[confused]

Thanks Andrea.

Today I got my hair analysis test kit. I am so afraid to cut my hair and my hubby wont do it for me. Were did everyone got theirs and did it take long to grow back. They said since it has been over 2 months since i dyed my hair that it is fine to use my head hair. They said i could use pubic but it wouldnt be as accurate.

paula

[CarlaB]

Paula, it takes a very small amount of hair .... I just cut it from the back in the middle (not top or bottom). I never even noticed a chunk was missing ... only my hair stylist did.

[AndreaB]

Today I got my hair analysis test kit. I am so afraid to cut my hair and my hubby wont do it for me. Were did everyone got theirs and did it take long to grow back.

My doctor cut mine close to the scalp in the back, underside. I don't remember how long it took to grow back though.

[Green12]

My doctor cut mine close to the scalp in the back, underside. I don't remember how long it took to grow back though.

My practitioner did the same. It seems she took quite a bit of hair, several strand samples from different areas very close to the scalp in the back.

I have such thick long hair though you couldn't tell at all.

[confusedks]

LittleMiss,

In response to your question about coping...basically some days are better than others. I really am trying to focus on getting better emotionally and physically, but more emotionally since that is something I can directly control.

I do really miss so many things about being a "normal" teen, but I have had to just let a lot go. I want to be a Dr "when I grow up" so I figure when I go to Medical school, I will already know a lot.

It's just a matter of trying to accept where you are in your life. We really don't have a lot of control over most of these things. Anything I CAN control, I try to...such as taking my meds when I'm supposed to, eating well, etc.

I don't know if that helps at all, but that's kinda the only thing I know to say. If you want to PM me, feel free to. I think you might already have my email address...not sure.

Finally, do any of your friends support you? Are they there to take your phone calls when you're upset? I was diagnosed with Lyme in December, and for the first time since about 2 years ago, my friends called me last week and wanted to see if I was up to going out. It was amazing...but it did take them a while to come around to the state of my health.

[CarlaB]

My doctor cut mine close to the scalp in the back, underside. I don't remember how long it took to grow back though.

If you wear pony tails, be sure it's not from the very bottom or it will be obvious.

[confused]

If you wear pony tails, be sure it's not from the very bottom or it will be obvious.

I do wear pony tails, that is why i was freakin out. I could not find an mirror in the house. I had to have my hubby hold my make-up train case so i could see. He was like can u hurry up, this is heavy. I have very long and straight hair. I will have to do like an comb over when it is up, but i think it will be ok lol. I am going to go and overnight my hair, since I am so impatient.

I have to tell this funny story while im talking about cutting a chunk of hair. When i was in high school, soem friends and I decided to cut an chunk of hair. With the hair we gluted it to another part of hair and put beads in it. That way we had one very long section of hair with beads on it. We just cut the hair from the bottom and we looked so funny when we wore our hair up, but yet we thought we were cool lol.

So who all had this kind of test done? Andrea, Carla, julie and Rachel.

[dlp252]

I had to have my hubby hold my make-up train case so i could see. He was like can u hurry up, this is heavy.

Okay, I'm sorry, but this is just FUNNY!!

So who all had this kind of test done? Andrea, Carla, julie and Rachel.

Me too. I couldn't use my head hair though, lol. I dye my hair every 5 weeks, so that wouldn't have worked.

[confused]

Okay, I'm sorry, but this is just FUNNY!!

I knew of all people, you would think this was funny lol

Me too. I couldn't use my head hair though, lol. I dye my hair every 5 weeks, so that wouldn't have worked.

Thank goodness it has been over 60 days since i dyed my hair. I was afraid to use the other hair. lol

paula

who is also on her way to get hair dye. Im so excited i can dye my hair again lol