BODY APPROACH
A major aim of this part of the program is to discover all the ways that the body has departed from natural evolutionary course and to restore it to its full potential, what it was designed for. Specifically, the program addresses ways to balance the major systems, remove stored toxins (including metals, colon toxicity, candida, and arterial build-up), and increase the energetic life-giving potential of the cells. It also covers topics such as proper eating, liver and thyroid function, and overall strategies for healthy living.
Acid-Alkaline Balance
A condition of high acidity is a very effective contraceptive. Said another way, high acidity is a state of high imbalance, and in such a condition, the body usually avoids conception. High acidity not only depletes the blood’s ability to carry oxygen (and a cell’s ability to utilize oxygen) but hampers the cell’s ability to divide. High acidity puts the body into a crisis mode; and the body must devote its primary resources to appeasing this crisis before it can attend to less-essential functions, such as healing and conception. Thus, the body, in its wisdom, knows that it must neutralize this acidic condition (which would threaten a developing fetus) before allowing itself to become pregnant. If, however, a person is eating too many acidic foods, holding onto too many acidic-producing emotions (such as stress, fear, depression, etc.), over-exercising, or not drinking enough pure water--practices which never allow the body to neutralize the excess acid load--then the body remains in a state of continual crisis and never comes into balance. In this environment conception is postponed. The same is also true of being too alkaline (which is a less common condition).
Although the restoration of the acid-alkaline balance is crucial for optimal health and fertility it is often difficult to bring about though dietary changes alone. However, when some dietary changes are made, combined with the application of intelligent protocols, bringing about this essential balance is not difficult to achieve. When the body is stabilized within the right pH range, or "conception range," it has greater potential to become pregnant (and produce a healthy child); when it is out of this range, pregnancy is difficult or impossible. (This concept applies to both females and males: when a male is out of the conception range, sperm production decreases). Understanding the essential components of the acid-alkaline system, and balancing the body pH-- thereby bringing it into the "conception range"--is the first line of action in The Integral Fertility Program.
Cleansing of Metals and Other Toxins
The body--in accordance with millions of years of evolution—knows that when some foreign entity, or invader, is present (especially something that the body cannot recognize) things are unsafe, especially in terms of pregnancy. Thus, the infiltration of toxic metals into the body (especially lead, mercury, nickel, and cadmium) can act as very effective contraceptive. This is the principle upon which the IUD is based—something foreign is in the uterus, and by the mere presence of something foreign, the body deems things to be unsafe for conception. Toxic metals (which accumulate in the body through the air we breath, the water we drink, the food we eat, etc.) act in the same way. Thus, assessing the amount of accumulated metal toxins in the body, and finding ways to systematically remove these toxins, is crucial when trying to create conditions of optimal fertility. (In females, toxic metals acts as a contraceptive; in males it has an adverse effect on healthy sperm production).
These metals can be removed using several natural and somewhat-natural methods. Natural methods refer to the use of various foods, such as garlic and cilantro, which "grab" these toxic metals and remove them from the body. There is also a highly-effective, somewhat-natural method known as “chelation therapy.” This method has been employed with great success for over 50 years.
The standard chelation treatment involves an IV-drip where a combination of minerals and EDTA is slowly dripped into the vein. This treatment is effective for removing toxic metals and calcium build-up (which clears the arteries and improves circulation). Each treatment takes about three hours and costs between $120 and $150. An effective course usually involves a dozen or more treatments, with about two treatments a week. (Since toxic metals are removed through the kidneys, it is important to insure proper kidney function when using this treatment). EDTA chelation can bring great benefit to anyone who can afford it. It is also the treatment of choice to prevent, or "by-pass," by-pass surgery.
The primary drawback of standard EDTA therapy is the cost and inconvenience. To overcome this, we have developed an oral treatment which is just as effective as the IV treatment, takes a few minutes to administer, and costs about 50 cents per treatment. This is the primary protocol we use to remove metals toxins and improve circulation. All participants in the program will learn about this protocol (and various ways to insure improved kidney function).
Additional toxic burdens on the body may result from parasites, candida, pesticides, treated water, environmental pollutants, indoor pollutants (from furniture and carpet out-gassing, as well as from household products), infected root canals, poor foods, and improper digestion. The list is long but the actions needed for cleansing are not difficult.
The removal of toxic build-up from the system, as well as a restoration of liver and immune function, can quickly lift the body out of a “crisis range” and deliver it into a condition of healing and reproductive health. It can also increase a person’s energy levels and his/her overall sense of well-being and hopefulness.
The developing fetus is especially sensitive to the adverse effects of toxic metals so cleansing these toxins before getting pregnant is always beneficial. (Even if a woman is not having difficulties with pregnancy, it would behoove her to remove these toxins before becoming pregnant.)
In the Integral Fertility Program we address all the major toxic burdens and put forth highly-effective cleansing and restoration strategies. Cleansing the body of accumulated toxins is fundamental to restoring the body to its natural state of reproductive health and insuring the health of one's child.
Restoring the Body’s Creative Power
One factor which often leads to “unexplained infertility” is low cellular energy; this can be compared to having a "dead battery" which can no longer power an engine. Low cellular energy can come about through poor nutrition, improper consumption of fats, lack of proper hydration, shallow breathing, as well as toxic and depleting emotions. The most powerful way to increase cellular energy—and the ability of the body to create new life—is through proper diet and the combination of highly unsaturated fats with sulfur-based proteins. This oil-protein combination also increases the cells’ ability to utilize oxygen (and thus relieves the heart of having to pump great amounts of blood). The increase in cellular energy and the increased oxygen supply to the cells, increases the reproductive capacity of the body. The proper intake of minerals and vitamin co-factors also supports the energetic capacity of the cells.
There are many anecdotal reports of couples who could not conceive after years of trying, yet who became pregnant after a dietary change and the use of an oil-protein protocol.
I already emphasized the limiting effect on breathing when there is a lack of electron-rich fats [in the diet], in which case, all glandular functions are reduced, and the secretion of mucus in the body's upper and lower cavities, including that of sexual function, are choked. This is also important in stock breeding. It is worthwhile considering whether it is really profitable for farmers to give harmful feed cake in an attempt to make quick money, but which leads to infertile stock. Some listeners here today will be interested to hear that people, just like you and me, as two individuals, couples too, can solve the problem of marital infertility by changing the foods they eat. A farming family in Buchau had been wanting to have a child for over ten years. Would you believe that ten months after they consulted me on food and nutrition, I received a photograph of their first son and heir! (Johanna Budwig).
Candida
Candida is a fast-spreading yeast organism which often becomes a systemic overgrowth. This condition weakens every major system of the body, is highly acid-producing, and burdens the immune system and organs of elimination. Since candida can affect the entire body, its symptoms are extremely varied and can include loss of energy, depression, brain fog, reduced sex drive, poor digestion, poor immune function, etc. The overall toxic effect of systemic candida can put the body into a crisis mode and all but “shut down” the reproductive system. Thus, the removal of candida (which affects over 60% of the population) can often lead to improved health, restored function of the major organs, and increased fertility.
There are several strategies used to remove candida, most of which involve the use of caprylic acid, garlic, specialized digestive enzymes, and prescription drugs such as nystatin and nizoral. Adopting a low-sugar, low-carbohydrate diet is also helpful in controlling this condition.
In the Integral Fertility Program we discuss the most effective methods of treating systemic candida, as well as supplemental protocols to help restore immune function.
Dr. Brodsky described to me the successful outcome of two patients who had been troubled with "the fertility problem." One patient had been trying to conceive for 7 months and the other for over 10 months. On [an anti-candida] diet and nystatin, one woman became pregnant in 30 days and the other in 60 days. . . . In September, 1983, a 34-year-old woman came to see me with an infertility problem. She and her husband had been trying to have a baby for six years. Four weeks after starting [a new] diet and nystatin, she became pregnant. And an 8 lb,, 9 oz. healthy son was born on July 8, 1984. (William Crook, The Yeast Connection, p. 175)
Blood Sugar
A major factor in fertility enhancement involves the stabilization of blood sugar. Every time the blood sugar levels are out of range—which often happens when a person eats large amounts of concentrated sugars and carbohydrates—the body goes into “crisis” mode until the blood sugar level is stabilized. If a person eats the wrong foods, in the wrong amounts—and does not drink enough pure water—the blood sugar levels can be off for most of the day. If this chronic pattern continues the body spends great amounts of energy trying to stabilize this condition and has few resources available for reproduction.
One way to control blood sugar levels is to understand the way that foods affect one’s blood sugar levels. A simple urine test, which can be performed a few times a day, will quickly reveal any problem foods and allow a person (through a few dietary adjustments) to keep his or her blood sugar at a consistent level, and within the “healing and conception range.”
The "healing and conception range" is a set of conditions (such as pH, blood sugar, and electro-conductivity levels) which, when in a particular range, allow the body to heal itself or devote its energy to conception. If a person is out of range (such as when there is too much, or too little, sugar in the blood, or when the body is too acidic) then the body must devote its primary resources to bringing the body back into range before it can use energy for healing (or reproduction); when conditions have stabilized, the body can then attend to non-critical functions, such as healing and conception. Thus, the best way to mobilize the body's healing and procreative energy is to keep the body out of the "crisis range" and within the "healing and conception range." A simply monitoring of blood sugar (and pH) levels--combined with dietary adjustments--is the best way to accomplish this.
In a recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition [2009], researchers at Harvard Medical School of Public Health assessed the relationship between intake of dietary carbohydrate in women's diets and their risk of fertility related to problems with ovulation (ovulatory infertility). The results of this study found that compared to women eating diets of lower GL [glycemic load] values, those eating diets with the highest GL were 92 percent more likely to suffer from ovulatory infertility.
One explanation put forward by the authors for their results is that a high-carb diet might displace certain fats in the diet that might have positive benefits for fertility (including saturated and non-saturated fats). Another explanation is that carbohydrates can induce biochemical and physiological effects that may directly hamper fertility.
Estrogen
Many environmental toxins, especially related to pesticides and plastics, are xeno-estrogens, meaning they mimic estrogen in the body and have a contraceptive effect. In addition, many food products made from animals contain excess amounts of estrogen. Estrogen, of course, affects the reproductive cycle, and regular low-doses of estrogen, as used in “the pill,” are powerful contraceptives. Thus, removing the estrogenic causes from one’s immediate environment, improving protein digestion, and being able to quickly reduce or neutralize excess estrogen in the body (through healthy liver and kidney function) are the primary strategies we use for reducing this contraceptive agent.
It has been stated that one-third of all breast cancer is caused and supported by high estrogen levels but, from our observations, we believe it to be in excess of 75%. The hormone excess can come from outside sources or be produced by the body in both male and female. Outer sources are drugs, smoking, sugar, alcohol, the recycling of estrogen in our meat supply, including improperly fed beef, or pork and chicken fed on slaughter-house by-products. Excessive estrogen can also result from poor diet, liver malfunction, birth control pills, estrogen cosmetics, milk and milk products, pesticides and other chemicals, possibly from public water supplies, and from certain well-known canned baby foods made from veal or chicken.
Normal estrogen is an end-factor in protein digestion, so poor protein digestion could cause the body to produce more estrogen in an effort to improve protein digestion. The control for normal amounts of female hormones is in the liver where it is reduced to Estriol, a less potent hormone that is eliminated in the urine. Thus, it can be seen that poor or reduced kidney function [and poor water intake] could also contribute to high estrogen levels. (P.V. McGargle, Preventive Medicine Forum; Carlton Fredricks, Winning the Fight Against Breast Cancer)
Stagnant Lymph
The body was designed to move and be in regular movement throughout the day—and this is how the body has evolved over the course of millions of years. There are two major circulation systems in the body; the arterial system and the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system has no pump of its own; the lymph is moved through the contraction of the body’s muscles. When there is no regular movement, and no regular contraction of the muscles, the lymph system stagnates and the elimination of cellular waste is forestalled. We often place great importance on what we put into the cells—such as vitamins, mineral, special tonics, amino acids, etc.—but rarely do we place enough importance on what is taken out, on the removal of cellular waste. Both are crucial to good health. So, without regular movement of the lymph system (through regular exercise throughout the day) cellular waste removal, and cellular integrity, is diminished.
Exercising a few times a week, or even once a day, does not adequately move the lymph system and it remains stagnant for most of the day. Getting lymphatic drainage massages, with special lymph moving devices (for $100+), can help move the lymph for a short time—but this movement is not sufficient for optimal health since cellular waste is being dumped into the lymph system 24-7. So, moderate exercise, throughout the day, is the only way to keep the lymph system moving—or is it?
Being in constant motion throughout the day, like our ancestors, is highly inconvenient for most people, and so we must find another way to keep the lymph moving. According to some accounts, optimal health is brought about when the lymph system is pumped every ninety minutes. If a person is engaged in constant activity throughout the day this would sufficiently pump the lymph system. If, however, a person is not able to be in constant motion, and is sedentary most of the day, he or she must use another way to pump the lymph system. There is a specialized form of breathing which, when combined with a particular kind of muscle contraction, can pump the lymph system about 50 times as fast as moderate exercise. If a person did this specialized breathing-movement for about 2 minutes it would equal (in terms of lymphatic movement) about two hours of moderate exercise. Thus, doing this breathing-movement for two minutes, every two hours would be equivalent to having been involved in moderate exercise all throughout the day. This would then allow for optimal drainage of cellular waste and optimal utilization of essential nutrients.
This powerful breathing-movement method (as well as a series of exercises built around it) will be fully explained and taught in the Integral Fertility program.
Thyroid Function
"Even as far back as the 1930s, alleviating low thyroid conditions was found effective against infertility." (Gary Null)
Testing thyroid function is very easy—and the most telling test of thyroid function remains a simple test of body temperature. If the body temperature is one degree too low, it signifies significant thyroid depression. In addition, this lowering of body temperature, by one degree, decreases cellular efficiency by about 10%. So, in terms of optimal health and fertility, any drop in the average body temperature below 98 degrees can become problematic (both in terms of indicating low thyroid function and decreasing cellular efficiency). The most widespread cause of an underactive thyroid (or hypothyroidism) is a lack of iodine intake. Most people in our society lack iodine because of iodine deficient soil (and a lack of iodine in the foods we eat) and also exposure to larger than normal amounts of chlorine and fluorine, which come in through drinking treated tap water, bathing/showing in treated water, or swimming in a chlorinated pool. Chlorine, fluorine, bromine, and iodine are halogens, which means they all interact with each other. Thus, regular exposure to common tap water, which is laced with chlorine and fluorine, and high consumption of bread products containing bromide, effectively blocks the body's intake and utilization of iodine. This high exposure to competing halogens, combined with the fact that iodine is already lacking in our diet, leads to chronic iodine deficiency and widespread hypothyroidism.
Proper supplementation, with a combination of iodine and iodide, plus nutrient co-factors (and small amounts of thyroid extract, if needed) can usually normalize thyroid function (and raise body temperature to an optimal level) in a few weeks.
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Bringing the body into balance and into alignment with the greater forces of Life is integral to creating conditions of optimal health and increased fertility. All the fertility protocols listed here, as well as several more, will be fully explained in the Integral Fertility Program.
Feeling good about oneself, enjoying life, and having positive emotions, all positively affect the body and increase its healing and procreative ability. There is a clear connection between one's mind and emotions and one's potential to conceive a child. In the second part of this program, finding ways to restore a beneficial connection between the mind and body, actuating positive emotional changes, and cultivating the creative power of the mind (and heart) are explored in detail.
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