EiR Blog

Hi there! I'd like to share my recent experiences with a new healing venture – a plan for dealing with H. pylori. I started this little experiment in November and it's proved to be one of the best health improvement projects for me so far. Believe me, I have done a lot of different initiatives over the past 8 years and this one has produced improvements with quite remarkable speed. OK, don't let's get too carried away now, I'm not 'normal' yet, but when you've been pretty incapacitated, any improvement is cause for celebration! This is a fairly long story folks, but if you're not in the mood to sit through the full details, maybe flip through to The bottom line, where I've provided a summary (Part 3). So what's the problem with H. pylori? Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an intriguing beast – of the large proportion of people who play host to this bacteria, only some notice any unpleasant...

Anyone who suffers from myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) will have been delighted to see news last week that reliable biomarkers for the disease had finally been found. Essentially, researchers at Columbia University have pinpointed changes in immune function that go a long way to proving once and for all that the illness once dismissively dubbed 'Yuppie Flu' is most certainly a physical, biological illness rather than a psychological disorder. Something any sufferer knows to be the case all too well from the moment it cruelly turns their lives upside down. The key point that makes this study so important is that it was conducted on a large scale with 298 ME/CFS patients involved. In medical science this gives the findings a huge amount of credibility and reliability. It means the findings cannot be ignored and should lead to greater funding from both governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and charities for future research and education....

Seasonal Affective Disorder (known widely by the appropriate acronym - SAD)  is a form of clinical depression associated with late autumn and winter and thought to be caused by a lack of light. It’s estimated to affect 10 million Americans, with another 1-2 million Americans suffering from a milder form, often referred to as 'the winter blues' - making it extremely common, affecting 1 in every 30 people in the United States. The signs and symptoms of SAD are almost identical to those of clinically diagnosed major deppression with the difference being that those affected by SAD generally experience a gradual worsening and then resolution of their symptoms as the seasons change and with them the amount of light and sun exposure.  Symptoms of SAD Feelings of Sadness and Despair Irritability Crying Spells Poor Sleep Tiredness & Fatigue Body Aches Trouble Concentrating Lack of Motivation Loss of Sex Drive Overeating...

Dear Friends, Over the past 10 years I have grown used to writing for The Environmental Illness Resource with the aim of helping all of you out there, who like me, have had your lives turned upside down by environmental and invisible illnesses. Today I must take my turn and ask you for your help.  For those who might be unaware, I (Matthew "maff" Hogg) have designed, built, maintained and written the majority of the thousands of pages of content on the site entirely by myself. People often email me saying they thought the site was run by a group of volunteers or a company, but no, it's just me! With over 3000 people having registered on the site and a database of over 8000 pages you can imagine that it's a lot for one guy with ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (and the rest!) to handle alone. I can "get by" with the technical side of the site but I...

When I started to see the supermarket shelves stocked full with new green Coca-Cola bottles branded with the name 'Life' towards the end of last year, and moreover seeing that it used the natural plant-based sweetener stevia (steviol glycosides), I was all set to heap praise on The Coca-Cola Company. I even purchased a few of the products right there and then with this positive intent and planned try to this new "healthy" Coke for myself. Sadly when I got home and actually read the label, there was a nasty surprise. Admittedly, as a health conscious consumer I should have checked the label before making the purchase; perhaps I was in shock that a major producer of traditionally highly sugary drinks was even aware of stevia! In any case, my impulse buy led me to the discovery that rather than being a cola drink sweetened purely by natural means - the misleadingly named Coca-Cola...

With us now a couple of weeks into another year I'm sure many of you have made New Year's resolutions and begun putting them into action. While some of you will no doubt have given up already, right? You won't be alone! But I digress. I thought today I'd draw your attention to the fact that while resolutions are always made with the best of intentions some may actually do more harm than good in terms of those relating to health. Since the most popular New Year's resolutions tend to focus on health and lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising more and eating a more healthy diet (Time Magazine) - it's a good idea to make sure what you're doing (or planning on doing) is actually going to achieve your goals in a safe and healthy way. So let's look at five of the most common resolutions and how...

As most people are looking forward to Christmas and the Holiday period with the promise of plenty of festive cheer with family and friends, the mere thought of it can send those of us affected by chronic illness into a panic. As a child and teenager suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) I still throughly enjoyed Christmas and New year's celebrations, after all what kid doesn't love opening gifts and gobbling down festive feasts? As an adult things are rather different and dealing with the fatigue, pain and other symptoms of chronic illness during the Holidays can cause a lot of stress and really get you down...if you let it. This year however, I am determined to find as many reasons as possible to be cheerful and to enjoy the next few weeks to the fullest! I know everyone has different health concerns and different circumstances but I hope you can all...

There's almost a month to go until 2015 but I'm so excited about what I have planned for next year, both here at The Environmental Illness Resource (EiR) and a major new project, that I couldn't wait to tell you all about it! Firstly, it's been a while since I've had the chance to write for EiR other than the odd forum post or comment here and there that I'm just happy to be back doing so. Other things have been occupying me over the past year, not least purchasing my first house with my partner and more recently getting engaged. Not that I am blaming my fiancee for keeping me away of course, that would just land me in trouble... I also spent a large part of 2014 being what I can only describe as "messed around" by various international media organisations - but I won't go into the details...

Vitamins are very much essential for health. They help to prevent a variety of diseases like heart disease, high cholesterol, eye disorders, skin disorders and many more.  There are many types of vitamins, all of which are vital for the health of the body: Vitamin A or Retinol for avoiding Eye disorders, acne, skin disorders, infections. Vitamin B1 for avoiding Beriberi, heart diseases, indigestion, body metabolism, blood circulation. Vitamin B2 for avoiding Cataract, skin disorders, body metabolism, immunity, nervous system, anemia. Vitamin B3 for avoiding Weakness, digestion, nervous system, skin disorders, migraine, heart disorders, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, diarrhea. Vitamin B5 for avoiding Stress, arthritis, infections, skin disorders, graying of hair, high cholesterol. Vitamin B6 for avoiding Diabetes, piles, convulsions, excessive menstrual bleeding, stress, insomnia, morning sickness, travel sickness. Vitamin B7 for avoiding Skin disorders, body metabolism, hair care. Vitamin B9 for avoiding Anemia, digestion, sprue, pregnancy, brain growth, skin disorders, gout, red...

Blood is an important life-maintaining fluid and blood circulation takes place through your arteries, veins, heart and capillaries. As the blood performs several complex functions in your body, there are several disorders that are related to blood which require clinical care by certified healthcare professional or physician.   It is very important to undergo same day blood tests at regular intervals of time as ignoring it may simply lead to health risks, which you might be unaware of. Some of the common blood disorders include sepsis, iron deficiency anaemia, leukaemia, etc. Such tests are carried out on blood sample taken out from a vein in the arm with a fingerprick/needle. Let us refer to some of the examples of blood tests used to diagnose cancer that includes: 1.CBC (Complete blood count) – It is common test which is carried out to measure the amount of various types of blood cells...

I am working on getting a doctor to prescribe Nystatin for a possible yeast overgrowth.  What is the best protocol for taking probiotics concurrently?  Timing?  I have tried natural antifungals with and without probiotics, but not getting much progress.  I am getting frustrated as I now have multiple food sensitivites.   I just want to get the prescription  for at least a 3 month trial,  but feel I should do the probiotics as well. Sheri...

It's spring, finally--Goodbye icy mornings and hello sunshine! Spring though may not sound all that fun when your skin is dull, dry or, breaking out from the frost.  Skin problems in spring get worse because many of us falsely believe that exfoliation must be generally avoided during the winter months.  The result: a build up of rough, flaky skin.  Don't get into hydration immediately.  Go through the entire process of exfoliating, cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. Follow these simple steps to whip up your own homemade skin care potions and you'll be surprised soon enough to find out you're blooming in your own skin---and you need not withdraw money from your hard earned savings to get a lovely look that matches the perfect blooms of spring! Step 1: Exfoliate.  You can't  possibly grow soft, young-looking skin when old skin cells are still sticking out and holding on to your skin.  Slough...

Introduction Wrinkles are developments that occur in men and women as they age and they are inevitable. This is usually caused by a decrease in the production of collagen and this causes the skin to lose the firmness. Wrinkles may also be caused by lifestyle factors like stress and exposure to harmful rays of the sun. There are different foods that can be taken and they can help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines that appear on the skin. The Rumor: Certain foods can help you stay young There is a rumor that the foods that are ingested will help one to stay young. This should not be taken as a rumor because it is true. The truth is that the foods that are taken will determine the overall quality of the skin. Some foods really will help you turn back time. There are foods that will provide the body...

Biotech startup Rebiotix has raised $25 million in capital to fund clinical trials of its fecal-transplant technology. The Roseville-based company raised the funding from individual investors, CEO Lee Jones said. Rebiotix transplants bacteria from healthy stool into patients suffering from C. difficile, a bacterial infection that’s typically acquired during hospital stays. In addition to clinical trials, the recent round of funding will go toward research and development and working capital, Rebiotixsaid. The company will present results from an earlier clinical trial in October. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration accepted Rebiotix’s productinto its fast-track program, which could expedite the technology’s approval for sale. Rebiotix has now raised $30 million since launching in 2011.Katharine Grayson covers med tech, clean tech, technology, health care and venture capital.   Read More: http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/blog/in_private/2014/08/fecal-transplant-startup-rebiotix-clinical-trials.html?s=image_gallery       ...

Fecal transplants let packrats eat poison Jul 21, 2014   A captive desert woodrat, also known as a packrat, stands on a rock near branches from a toxic creosote bush. Credit: Kevin Kohl, University of Utah.                                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Woodrats lost their ability to eat toxic creosote bushes after antibiotics killed their gut microbes. Woodrats that never ate the plants were able to do so after receiving fecal transplants with microbes from creosote-eaters, University of Utah biologists found.   The new study confirms what biologists long have suspected: bacteria in the gut – and not just liver enzymes – are "crucial in allowing herbivores to feed on toxic plants," says biologist Kevin Kohl, a postdoctoral researcher and first author of the paper published...

(by the way....i'm not ordinarily a Daily Mail reader :-)))      Vicky Grant was in a work meeting when once again she was gripped by painful stomach cramps.       'I didn't know whether to make a dash to the bathroom or just sit it out and hope it would pass,' recalls Vicky, 43, a medical librarian, who is divorced and lives in Sheffield. 'I was coping with up to seven bouts of diarrhoea a day and it was really taking its toll on me. 'I decided to risk it and stay put, but I was concentrating so hard on staying in control that everything being said in the meeting passed over my head.   'I felt bloated, tired and fatigued. My weight was below 7st (I'm 5ft 3in). I'd lost so much weight and looked terrible - I'm sure people thought I had anorexia. It was also...

I have posted on the benefits of high dose vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) with regard to reducing the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) before. Those of us living at high northern latitudes as I do in the UK, or indeed in lower southern latitudes, are particularly susceptible to SAD. This is not simply do to a lack of natural light but also it seems as a result of insufficient vitamin D which plays a key role in many important metabolic pathways throughout the body, including regulating the production of serotonin, melatonin and many other neurotransmitters and hormones that are vital for positive and stable moods.

Anyway, to the point of this post! In previous years I have taken vitamin D3 (the form produced in the skin during sun exposure) in a single high weekly dose of 25,000IU. I found however that this produced peaks and troughs in my mood with an initial significant brightening followed by a noticeable tailing off after 3-4 days.

Nov. 22, 2013 — Research jointly conducted by investigators at Institut Gustave Roussy, Inserm, Institut Pasteur and INRA (French National Agronomic Research Institute) has led to a rather surprising discovery on the manner in which cancer chemotherapy treatments act more effectively with the help of the intestinal flora (also known as the intestinal microbiota). Indeed, the researchers have just shown that the efficacy of one of the molecules most often used in chemotherapy relies to an extent on its capacity to mobilize certain bacteria from the intestinal flora toward the bloodstream and lymph nodes. Once inside the lymph nodes, these bacteria stimulate fresh immune defenses which then enhance the body's ability to fight the malignant tumor.   Results of this work are published in the journal Science on 22 November 2013. The intestinal microbiota is made up of 100,000 billion bacteria. It is a genuine organ, since the bacterial species that comprise it...

21.11.2013 - (idw) University of Gothenburg Food transit through the small intestine affects the body's absorption of nutrients and, consequently, our health. The discovery that food transit time is regulated by a hormone indicates new ways to increase the intestinal absorption of nutrients, and thus potentially treat malnutrition. One of the tasks of the gut microbiota is to break down essential nutrients from our diet to provide a usable energy source in the colon. Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, have now shown that lack of energy in the colon leads to increased release of a hormone primarily associated with appetite control and insulin secretion, GLP-1. Importantly, they also showed that the released GLP-1 regulates how quickly food passes through the small intestine. These findings may open up new possibilities to treat malnutrition and malnutrition-related diseases. Food transit through the small intestine is a complex balancing act, in...

Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that 90% of employers offered some sort of wellness incentive. Though the actual pay-offs of these plans and programs remains somewhat disputed, there are still some considerable benefits when it comes to revamping the corporate environment. Here are some great ways to create a more positive company culture through a health and wellness program. 1. Make a Social Goal The most effective wellness initiatives happen when the leadership engages as well. This is a great way to support by example and encourage employees to get totally on board. It is perhaps more effective than simply throwing out incentives, although that is also a useful tool. Leading with the higher-ups demonstrates that the whole company is going to act as a social unit towards a goal of improved health and wellness. 2. Shoot for Happiness and Health It is not enough to focus on weight...