Iron deficiency or anemia is a serious health problem. What is anemia? What ar esome of the symptoms and causes; and how can one improve an iron deficiency? Anemia is a condition in which there is a reduction in the number of circulating red blood cells. It exists when hemoglobin content is less than that required to provide the oxygen demands of the body. Because iron is essential to hemoglobin formation, it is essential to life. Hemoglobin is the iron containing pigment of the red blood cells called heme, and a simple protein, globin.

About 60% to 70% of the iron found in the body is in the bloodstream; and 30% to 35% is found in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Iron is absorbed from the food in the small intestine, then it passes in the blood to the bone marrow, and here it is used in making hemoglobin, which is incorporated into red corpuscles. A corpuscle, after circulating in the blood for approximately 120 days, dies, and its iron is used over again. Every second, over 3 million of our red blood cells die.

The hemoglobin in the blood averages 12 to 16 gm/100 ml. of blood in adult females, 14 to 18 in males, and somewhat less in children. Studies have shown that vegetarians normally have a lower hemoglobin. I believe that the ideal for women should be 10.5 to 12.5, and no higher than 14 for men.

Some of the major symptoms of anemia are fatigue, paleness of the skin, headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, skin sensations, and poor appetite.

Low iron levels have been shown to impair the immune system (Journal of Pediatrics 75:86: 899-902). Fungal infections of both the mouth and vagina are quite common in patients with iron deficiencies (Journal of Infectious Disease 75: 131 (1): 44-50). A two year study out of Washington, D.C. showed that patients who developed prostate cancer consumed significantly lower amounts of iron (Nutr. Cancer 87; 9:123-128).

We also know that inadequate iron levels during pregnancy can have disastrous effects on the child. This problem can easily be avoided by making sure that an expectant mother going into a pregnancy is not anemic, and by seeing to it that she includes plenty of iron-rich foods in her diet. Heart palpitations (where the heart beat races momentarily) are often iron deficiency related. When tissues throughout the body don't get enough oxygen, the heart is forced to pump harder and faster to compensate.

Most Americans have anemia from decreased blood cell formation due to a lack of iron in their diet. Because of all the refined foods they eat, they have a nutritional deficiency of iron. Various forms of iron are not well absorbed. Inorganic forms of iron, such as ferrous sulfate, are commonly used by the food industry to fortify various products. Unfortunately, despite its widespread use, ferrous sulfate is practically useless as an iron supplement. 

There fore most of the refined foods sold in the stores today are deficient in iron because they have been artificially 'enriched1 with iron (which is not natural iron). There is a lot of controversy about this enrichment process. It doesn't make a lot of sense to refine a food by taking the natural iron out of it, and then to put synthetic iron into it and call it 'iron

enriched'.

When your body recognizes a deficiency of iron, it attempts to absorb more from the intestinal tract. However, even under ideal circumstances, only small amounts of iron can be absorbed daily. Because of this it often takes some time to restore iron levels to normal. When iron stores are adequate your body will absorb less; and when an excess is detected, it will actually release stored iron for excretion.

The total amount of iron in the body is usually somewhere between 3 and 5 grams. Each day, men lose about a milligram through bowel movements; and women have an average loss of 2 milligrams daily when you take into account the menstrual cycle. With a loss of such a small amount, it is not difficult to replace the iron lost if one eats natural, wholesome foods. 

But chronic blood loss from an accident, excessive menstruation, or internal bleeding, such as bleeding in the gastro-intestinal tract, can cause anemia. Excessive blood cell destruction is another cause of anemia. This can be caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, or may be related to certain diseases of the blood-forming organs. Hereditary causes are very seldom the cause of excessive blood cell destruction.

Our body runs on electricity. An electrocardiogram will record the electrical activity of the heart. An electroencephalograph records the electrical activity of the brain. Today we know the human body runs on electrical energy. Very few health professionals have any information on the electrical currents in the body and how they can be altered to either produce good or bad results in the human body.

What Is Electricity ?

No one really knows what electricity is. We only partially know how to use it and how it works. This definition of electricity is given in Taber's Cyclopedic Medica Dictionary; "A form of energy that exhibits magnetic, chemical, mechanical and thermal effects. Electricity is formed from the interactions of positive and negative charges." The medical field today uses electricity on the body. 

Three examples of this are found in electro hemostasis, which uses high frequency current to stop bleeding; electroconvulsive therapy, the use of electrical shock to produce convulsions; and electro analygesia, using low intensity electrical currents to bring relief from pain. These forms of electrical treatments may cause harm to the body, as they disturb the natural circulation of electrical currents. Did you know that cancer cells are weaker than normal cells, and that cancer cells have a different electrical frequency than normal cells?

Natural Ways of Keeping The Bodys Electrical Currents In Balance

I'm sure, as research in this area goes on, more natural ways to keep the body's electrical currents in balance will be found. Two natural ways that I'm aware of are breathing fresh outside air, and having the body in contact with the soil.

Breathing Fresh Air

All air contains electricity. Air can be either positively charged or negatively charged. Negatively charged air, which is the kind that is beneficial to us, is found in the open air, especially in the mountains or the country; these are examples of air that has been undisturbed by pollution. The air with the most negative ions in it is ocean air, or the air near a river or waterfall, and the air just after a rainstorm. Positively charged air is not beneficial to us and is the air found inside a closed room. All electrical appliances and heating and air conditioning systems use up good negative ions and give off bad positive ions. This is especially true of TV's, computers, microwaves and fluorescent lights. The air we exhale is also positively charged.

As the number of positive ions increases, with a corresponding decrease in negative ions, one may feel such adverse effects as headaches, nasal obstruction, hoarseness, fatigue, dry throat and dizziness. Negatively charged air, on the other hand, produces a feeling of exhilaration and well-being. Negatively charged air also has been shown to decrease the respiration rate and lower blood pressure, while positively charged air has just the opposite effect. (1)

There are over 3,000 - 4,000 negative ions in one cubic centimeter of mountain air, but only 100 negative ions in one cubic centimeter of air in an office building at the end of an eight hour day. Thus, we can readily see that to keep our body's electrical currents high in negative ions, and thus experience good health, we need a continuous supply of fresh outdoor air. "The stomach, liver, lungs and brain are suffering for the want of deep, full inspirations of air, which would electrify the blood and impart to it a bright, lively color, and which alone can keep it pure, giving tone and vigor to every part of the living machinery".

Body Contact With The Soil

To help keep our body's electrical frequency correct, we should spend some time outside each day working with the soil or standing (or walking) with our bare feet in direct contact with the earth. Our body and the earth are both electrical; and you do not get an electrical exchange with the earth when you are wearing shoes, as the soles insulate you from the ground. Just a short time, (10 minutes min.) each day will greatly benefit a person. This exercise is especially true for those who are nervous or emotionally disturbed.

Conclusion

The more knowledge man acquires the more he realizes how little he actually knows. We still have much to learn about the electrical currents that control the human body. This is an area that has been sadly neglected in the health field and I hope that as time goes on we will understand more fully the good and bad effects of electricity on the body.

Source : Natural Medicine By Dr. Hoover

SUNBATHING

A sunbath is best taken in the morning when the air is clear, and the heat not too great. In the summer it may be taken as early as eight o'clock. In cool weather, it may be taken later in the forenoon. Care must be taken to prevent overheating or chilling. In order to avoid a sunburn it is necessary to start with a short exposure and to increase the time gradually on following days. 

The ultraviolet light is the light that has proven to be the most health restoring. Unfortunately, it is also one that is most easily eliminated by window glass, sunglasses or clothing. The most important part of our body that the sun's ultraviolet rays need to reach is our eyes. Sunglasses and regular glasses will not let the ultraviolet rays (the healing rays of the sun) reach the eyes. So, when you are sunbathing use no glasses-just close your eyes and look at the sun with your eyes closed so the ultraviolet rays can penetrate the eye lids. It would be good to do this a minimum of 10 minutes each day. 

This is especially good for women with a hormonal imbalance (during their monthly cycle), and anyone with a nervous disorder. During sun bathing the amount of ultraviolet light available depends upon the location of the earth and the season. The more atmosphere the ultraviolet light must pass through the less there will be to reach the earth. In the winter there is less ultraviolet light available as the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun; so the best time to sunbathe is between 10 AM and 2 PM. In the summer ultraviolet light is available over a longer period of time, so it is best to sunbathe between 8 AM and 4 PM.

SUNBURN

During the sunbath you should feel good. There should be no feeling of depression or discomfort. If, as a result of exposure to the sun, you feel weak, too warm, or there are signs of headache, stop at once. The degree of injury to the skin depends on the concentration of ultraviolet rays, the duration of the exposure, and the amount of pigment within the skin of the individual. Blondes and redheads are particularly susceptible. On repeated exposure to sunlight, most persons develop an increased amount of pigment in the skin (suntan) and thus become less susceptible to sunburn while the excess pigmentation lasts. 

Drugs, cosmetics and soaps can so sensitize the skin that burning becomes a real problem. One should not be afraid of sweating, as the sweating process cools the body and eliminates toxins. One has to take into consideration, when sunbathing, the time of day, location, season of the year, latitude and elevation. Sun burning can take place faster in mile high Denver, Colorado, than it can at sea level, for the sun's rays have a mile less of atmosphere through which to pass. 

If one is sunbathing at the beach, he will probably burn faster than on the back lawn. The amount of ultraviolet light reflected from the environment can make a big difference. Snow will reflect about 86% of the ultraviolet, dry sand 17% and grass 2.5%. Water is a poor reflector of ultraviolet light.

Reflection of the sun's rays by a clear, blue sky overhead, may double the effect of the ultraviolet rays which come from the sun itself. One other thing to remember is that wet skin will burn more rapidly than dry skin. While sunbathing, use no kind of lotions, creams, sun screening agents, etc. Sunscreens containing a tanning ingredient may promote skin cancer. Lyle Cartwright, M.D. of the University of California Medical Center at San Diego, found tumors and skin changes in laboratory mice that had been covered 34 with the tanning ingredient and exposed to sunlight. 

The researchers reported that 100% of the mice, having sunscreen applications and a dose of sunlight equal to one hour of midday sun in a temperate climate, developed tumors. Mice, not treated with sunscreen, but given large doses of sunshine, did not develop tumors. (American Medical News, June 24,1983, pg.18). Clean skin is the best for sunbathing. Natural sunshine is best for sunbathing. There are no sun lamps made that can match our natural sun. Some are different from the sunlight and may actually be harmful. Light is a nutrient much like food; and, like food, the wrong kind can make us ill, and the right kind can keep us well.

Proper rest is essenttal

Rest is one of the most basic healers known to mankind. When you become sick, what is the first thing you do? You lie down in bed most of every day, as well as all the night, until you recover, because the restorative power of rest is the key to health. Every bodily power requires rest after exertion. Even your heart - the hardest working muscle in your body - rests after each beat. You rest at the end of each breath.

Your muscles require relaxation after every contraction. During the sleeping hours the body is busy repairing itself. Our bodies are a lot like a battery; They run down during the day and need to be recharged at night. The most energetic people I know are quite consistent in getting their rest.

One of the purposes of sleep is to repair losses and damage caused by work. When awake, we eat as well as work: that is, we both consume and replenish our stores of energy. But the food we take in is not available as energy until it has become a part of the living cell. Food in the stomach, in the blood and body fluids does not add to our store of energy until it becomes a part of the body. After it is digested, it must be assimilated; this work is largely done during sleep. This has been observed with the microscope. When the cell is fully rested, it is well filled with minute energy granules. A tired cell shows the granules greatly reduced in number.

Since the inception of television, millions of people do not get enough sleep. They go to bed late, get up early to go to work, and in the middle of the afternoon they have to force themselves to keep going. The importance of sleep cannot be over emphasized for it is during the restful hours of sleep that the body rebuilds its tissue. One reason so many people have nervous breakdowns is that they try to surpass their limitations. They are always on the go without adequate rest, until the body machinery breaks under the load. Take time to refocus your life; take time to rest. Go outside and sit in a chair and do nothing. 

If the very thought of that sounds ominous to you, then you are the very one who needs to change your attitude toward adequate rest. One does not always have to sleep in order to rest. A change of pace, doing something different, will bring rest to your mind and body. If your daily job is to sit behind a desk all day, rest for you might be to go out and work in the garden in the evening. Whereas a farmer who works all day would get his rest by sitting down in the evening chair and reading

a good book.

Rest for tension or fatigue

Tension increases as the day goes on until it is at a high point in the late afternoon. If this point is reached day after day, week after week, the results may become unbearable. But if the person takes a break at noon with a short nap, the tension drops and he awakens for the afternoon's work with much improved nerves. The same rule applies to young mothers attempting to raise children, run a house and maintain an active social life. My advice to these mothers is to take naps with their children, for this will greatly reduce their tension and fatigue.

Rest for the eyes and ears

To protect your eyes, be careful to have the light coming over your shoulder on your reading or your work, and not into your eyes. Be sure you have plenty of light. Don't try to read in dimly lit rooms.

Fluorescent lights ruin the eyes as they blink on and off 60 times a second. Whenever possible use outside light for reading and working. If you have to spend many hours of reading, occasionally give your eyes a rest by looking out the window, closing them, or doing some eye exercises.

Various forms of noise present in our modern age is one of the greatest enemies of rest. Noise acts as a constant irritant to the entire nervous system of the body, whether we are asleep at night, or during the day when we are awake. Eighty decibels represent the level at which continuous or prolonged exposure to noise can result in hearing loss. Noise has been shown to increase the stress level of those continually exposed to it. Those who work 20 years or more around noisy equipment have a life span 5 years shorter than those working in quieter areas of the same firm. Television almost consistently raises the stress hormone level in the blood regardless of the programming. Rock music has also been shown to affect the body's stress level adversely.

Recreation is a from of rest

Recreation is a vitalized form of rest. A change of activity is needed from time to time. We need variety in our lives; that is why it's good to get away from the normal routine occasionally, such as a weekend trip to the mountains, or sea shore camping with the family. Eating good natural food cooked over a campfire, sleeping in the great out of doors, getting plenty of fresh air, being away from all the traffic noises such as sirens, relaxing and enjoying the birds singing, soaking up the sun, or going for a swim in the ocean or lake are various ways to rest and relax.

The great out of doors was created for us to enjoy; the only problem is that we don't take advantage of it often enough. It is sad to say but many people never take time off from their busy schedules to enjoy the finer things in life. Our American society is too materialistic; they want to acquire more and more, and then have to spend most of their time maintaining and taking care of all their belongings which have entrapped them. I now live in Central America and the people have very little in regards to material possessions. 

The average wage of a common worker living in Nicaragua is $2.00 a day. But I have noticed something unusual: most of the Nicaraguan people are happy. I have since come to the conclusion that the more you have, the unhappier you are; and the less you have, the happier you are. Maybe we here in America have our priorities turned around. After all, if many material things don't make you happy, then why have so many?

How much sleep do we need ?

The requirement for sleep varies with age. A baby sleeps most of the time. A young child before the age of 6 needs about 14 hours of sleep per day. A grade school child needs at least twelve hours, and a teenager should have from nine to ten hours of sleep per day. This much sleep is not necessary for older individuals, but it is for young people. The adult needs only to repair the daily waste of tissue, whereas the young requires in addition much energy for growth and development.

Nevertheless, statistics show that good sleepers amongst the aged are those who live longest. Sleep requirements may temporarily change. During illness, pregnancy or stress, a person may need more sleep. When anxieties, cares and business perplexities are carried to bed, sleep during the early hours is not refreshing and the time of sleep is necessarily extended. The occupation during the day likewise regulates the amount of sleep at night. Brain workers, and those undergoing severe nervous strains, require considerable sleep: their fatigue is mental and nervous, and sleep is the only form of rest that is beneficial. People who are doing manual labor, usually fail to sleep readily upon retiring and don't require as many hours of sleep.

Stages of sleep

Sleep is classified into two distinct states, Rapid Eye Movement (R.E.M.) is the first state and Non-Rapid Eye Movement (N.R.E.M.) is the second state which accounts for about 75% of the normal sleep. N.R.E.M. is divided into four states. Stage 1 of N.R.E.M. sleep is a light sleep and a person is easily awakened during this stage. Stage 2 of N.R.E.M. is a deeper sleep with heart and respiratory rates slowing and the temperature dropping. Stage 3 of N.R.E.M. begins 20 to 40 minutes after onset of sleep and the body processes continue to slow down. Stage 4 begins about 10 minutes later; this is the deepest sleep, and anyone awakened during this stage will be temporarily confused. 

Within an hour or so of falling asleep, the sleeper rapidly progresses through three stages until he gets to the deep sleep stage, then they reverse until he gets back to the light stage. This first sleep cycle (stages 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2, and REM) are completed 70-80 minutes after falling asleep. This complete cycle is repeated four to five times a night. The second cycle usually lasts about 110 minutes and the third cycle about 120 minutes, but the later cycles are shorter, approximately 90 minutes each.

This is why sometimes in the middle of the night you wake up (you're in the light stage) and it takes you some time to fall back to sleep. If the phone rings and wakes you up during the first stage, the light stage, you are alert, but if the phone rings and wakes you up during stage 4, the deep stage, it takes you a while to get your thoughts together. Some individuals, awakened during the deep stage, answer the phone and the next morning don't even remember they had a phone call during the night.

sweet"

Natural ways to help one sleep

Only those who use their muscles during the day in physical work can enjoy sweet sleep at night. If you are a sedentary worker, then in the evening spend at least one hour outside, go for a walk, mow the lawn, wash the car, work in the garden, paint the garage, etc;, do some physical work before going to bed. Regularity is important for good sleep patterns. Arising at the same time every morning will assist one in falling asleep at the same time every night. Going to bed at an early hour will greatly benefit one's health. It has been observed that the body's temperature and vitality is at its lowest ebb about 2 A.M. and for this reason every hour of sleep before midnight is worth two hours; and every hour after midnight is worth one. 

Sleeping in on weekends disrupts the clock, causing difficulties in sleeping. Tobacco, caffeine (as found in coffee, tea, colas) chocolate, sugar, fatty foods, chemical preservatives, additives, etc. can stimulate the body causing insomnia. It is true that food puts you to sleep at first, by diverting the blood from the head; but it disturbs sleep later in the night. When you eat a large meal before going to bed, the food has to be digested and the stomach fails to get its proper rest. 

The sleep is disturbed, the brain and nerves are wearied, the appetite for breakfast is impaired and the whole system is unrefreshed and is unready for the day's duties. If you go to bed with an empty stomach, you can often get along well with six or seven hours sleep: but if you go to bed after a big meal, you usually need from eight to ten hours sleep.

Plenty of fresh air in the sleeping room is an important part of the rejuvenating effect of sleep. Your body is working less, and the air you breathe is used to restore and rebuild body tissue. Therefore, be sure there is a current of outdoor air (even in the winter) entering your room while you sleep. If you do not have fresh air at night, you will tend to awake tired and exhausted.

Neutral temperature baths, between 92 - 95 degrees, for 10 minutes or more are excellent for relaxing and calming the mind, and preparing one for sleep. Herb tea made from either hops or catnip will usually help one to sleep. Bring 8 oz. of distilled water to a boil, turn the heat off, add 1-1/2 tsp. of herb and let steep for 20 minutes. Strain and drink it one half hour before bedtime.

The most healthful position for sleeping is upon the right side with the limbs extended as much as possible. This position avoids pressure upon the heart, keeps the heavy liver (which is the largest organ in the body), downward, and affords the stomach the fullest freedom. While lying upon the side, the pillow should be of sufficient size to keep the head in its natural relationship to the shoulders. You should not use more than one pillow. The object is to get in the correct position so that the spine is straight. Contrary to popular belief, the mattress should not be firm, but fairly soft. The best type of mattress is a foam mattress, or one can use a firm mattress with a thin egg crate mattress on top.