June 2004


Words from us…

Wayne’s World
This month we address gallstones and kidney stones, and for those victims of such, the pain is so intense it is nearly unbearable. In the case of gallstones, when a stone passes from the gallbladder into one of the ducts leading to the intestinal tract, these stones can irritate the lining of these sensitive ducts. Pain flares and a stone could completely block a duct and cause bile fluids to build up behind the stone, leading to irritation and inflammation. Gallstones affect roughly 20 million Americans! It is easier to prevent than to treat stones of the gallbladder or the kidney and these diseases can often be addressed successfully with dietary, nutritional and herbal interventions. Saturated fats (butter and margarine) are a contributory dietary fat factor. Fiber is important (drink plenty of pure water) as population research has confirmed that low-fiber diets predispose towards gallstone formation. Allergy-elimination diets dramatically improve symptoms, with many symptoms coming from eggs, pork, onions, poultry, milk, coffee, oranges, corn, beans and nuts. Some allergenic substances induce inflammation. Studies have consistently reported a higher prevalence of stones in people with a sugary diet. A supplement plan for those who suffer should include antioxidants, fiber, and lecithin. Herbs of use are barberry, burdock, dandelion root, artichoke, goldenseal, milk thistle, Oregon grape and peppermint. Many diseases associated with a western diet appear connected to a sedentary lifestyle. Researchers think exercise protects against stone diseases by reducing known risk factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, and serum triglyceride levels. Stay Healthy! carries many fine nutritional and herbal supplements that may help reduce the risk of developing stones, and we can help educate you on proper food choices. 
Call us at 877-2494 or email us for more information on staying healthy.
Thank you so much for your patronage. Stay Healthy!

Jenny's Jive:    The gall bladder is a part of the liver.  It is basically a storage sack, which holds a variety of chemicals, known together as "bile".  Bile contains a mixture of chemicals that the body is getting rid of, and a mixture of helpful nutrients that the body uses to properly digest fats, oils, cholesterol, and certain other nutrients.  Bile is sent into the beginning of a person's small intestinal tract, when food is passed out of the stomach, into the small intestines.  There, the bile mixes with the food. When someone has a weak gall bladder, certain nutrients in food are not digested properly.  This can result in the person developing nutritional deficiencies for one or more of these nutrients.  Gallstones and kidney stones are not related. They form in different areas of the body. If you have a gallstone, you are not necessarily more likely to develop kidney stones. A kidney stone is a hard mass developed from crystals that separate from the urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney. Normally, urine contains chemicals that prevent the crystals from forming. These inhibitors do not seem to work for everyone. If the crystals remain tiny enough, they will travel through the urinary tract and pass out of the body in the urine without being noticed.   Researchers have theorized that this is happening because calcium is believed to neutralize the absorption of oxalate, a substance that is present in foods such as spinach and beets that has been linked to kidney stone formation. It is a good idea to avoid oxalate foods such as beans, salt, chocolate, peanuts, & meat, just to name a few.

Jeff's Positive Vibrations: The gallbladder and the kidneys are two of the body’s digestion and elimination systems that go through immense physical stress due to a person’s lack of good nutrition (not enough fresh water and/or exercise).  Because of these shortcomings the body starts to develop health problems. One of the health problems associated with these two organs is gallbladder and kidney stones. Gallbladder and kidney stones are very painful and uncomfortable when the body accumulates the wrong kind of foods such as dairy, poultry, pork, processed salts, processed sugars, and animal proteins. To prevent the stones, a healthy nutritional program consisting of foods high in fiber and whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, antioxidants and herbs such as burdock, dandelion, Oregon grape root, hydrangea, and gravel root.

J.C. Speaking Words of Wisdom
Kidney stones are accumulations of mineral salts that can lodge anywhere along the urinary tract. 80% of the time, they are calcium stones (calcium oxalate), a condition known as hypercalciuria. The stones often cause severe pain, sometimes accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms, chills, fever and blood in the urine. People at greatest risk for stone formation are those with overactive parathyroid glands or chronic kidney infections. Consuming too much calcium, salt, sugars, and animal protein are big factors in kidney stones along with using antacids or drinking carbonated drinks. Cutting down on these substances and increasing potassium-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables can help avoid stone formation. Foods rich in vitamin A (alfalfa, carrots, pumpkin, squash, apricots, cantaloupes, sweet potatoes) are highly beneficial. Herbs that help with stones are parsley, hydrangea, and nettles. Magnesium and vitamin B6 are used by the body to convert oxalate into other substances, so these supplements reduce the risk of kidney stones. Cranberry juice (sugar free) has been shown to reduce the amount of ionized calcium in the urine by over 50% in patients with recurrent kidney stones. Having an active lifestyle has been shown to be beneficial, and Tai chi chuan, yoga and other meditative type exercise will help release tension and stress.
Semi-precious healing stones like malachite, jasper and carnelian can help remove kidney and gallbladder stones. Visualization has also been effective in dissolving kidney and gallbladder stones, so use your mind power.
Affirmation: “I dissolve all past problems with ease.” Louise L. Hay
Knowledge applied is wisdom…

Nik Notes:  Our store carries many different products for stone elimination. One of the most popular is Planetary Formulas “Stone Free”.  According to www.planetaryformulas.com: “Planetary Formulas Stone Free is a unique combination, designed to support the kidneys, liver and gallbladder. Dandelion root and turmeric are bitter substances that can support the body's normal bile flow. Gravel root, parsley root and marshmallow root have been used historically to support normal fluid elimination.”

For Perspective!

Even a stone this small can feel like a mountain!