[NOTE: If you like my articles, please order my book(s), and other publications, and consider coming here for Kinesiology consultation and/or seminars, or phone consultations. Please do not send us your medical history, I can only help those that are ready to proceed fully. Thank you.]

Healing The Liver To Help Heal Allergies, Fatigue, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Illness

Copyright 2002 Steven Rochlitz, PhD
All rights Reserved. Illegal to Copy, Post Online, or Transmit Without Express, Prior Permission
rochlitz@wellatlast.com (928) 649-2116

People with chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia and food/chemical/pollen/electromagnetic allergies, or some other chronic illnesses often have overburdened and weakened livers. Toxins from overgrowths of parasites, fungus, bacteria, etc, or heavy metals, or food or environmental toxins stress the liver in people with allergies/CFS/FMS. A vicious cycle can occur, as a weakened liver then cannot detoxify food, air, water, or other toxins in the body. The liver then may also under-perform it's myriad of metabolic functions. Many people with these disorders, and possibly many other illnesses, may not recover unless and until the liver "gets well." This can take months of doing everything just right. Many diet, lifestyle and supplement changes may need to be made and some of this will be described here. Repairing the liver may also help other organs to function better. This can sometimes include improving thyroid function perhaps with little or no medication, if and when the liver is fully restored. Recall from my thyroid/adrenal article that the conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 into the more bioactive T3 does not occur primarily in the thyroid. Rather this happens in the cells of the liver and other organs. So the liver is also involved in building up and breaking down numerous hormones and other substances the body utilizes. The adrenals too can be weak due to an overloaded liver.

[In the last two years, I have become expert on Porphyria. This illness which I call a Detoxification Limitation Disorder may play a large role in many people's food, chemical and electromagnetic sensitivities. Though it is in part a genetic defect, it is greatly exacerbated by environmental toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, organism overgrowth toxins, certain foods, and other factors. Though sometimes described as a liver disease, more correctly it affects the mitochondria of all cells, and causes much neurological, gastrointestinal and muscular symptomatology in its sufferers. While I have devised kinesiological testing (which is not a substitute for blood, urine, stool, DNA testing) and balancing and have made nutritional and diet breakthroughs, it is beyond our scope of discussion here. But some of this liver article's recommendations would likely be helpful for Porphyrics. Further work is best done individually.]

The liver has some 500 known functions and perhaps thousands of chemical reactions occurring in it. It is well beyond the scope here to delve into most of this. (There are many books, articles and websites that cover this material.) We are concerned here with the liver's ability to detoxify substances that get into the body, and it's role in anti-oxidant protection, and in overcoming allergies, fatigue, and fibromyalgia. The liver may have been weakened from long-term antibiotic therapy or other drugs. Exposure to any toxin can weaken the liver if the exposure is long enough or the substance is toxic enough. These toxins include unnatural substances in food (pesticides, hormones, junk food), air, water, cosmetics, dental material, and of course, the toxins secreted by any harmful "critters" living in us. Heavy metals, and protozoan parasite toxins are among the roughest toxins on the liver. (The liver also physically filters out microorganisms from the blood.) Eliminating toxic chemicals and critters are the first steps to liver wellness. Chronic viruses including Epstein-Barr, Cytomegalo, Herpes, Parvo, Coxsackie, Hepatitis and other viruses, which can harbor in the liver, should be countered with electric medicine and other safe means. Once the liver has been weakened, recovery can include crucial diet changes as part of a "liver cleansing" diet. The elimination of animal protein and fat is often a part of this diet. Even though you may not be allergic, per se, to meats, eliminating them may help the liver to heal. Alcohol, tobacco, sugar, dairy and caffeine need to be eliminated. Aspirin and acetaminophen and NSAID drugs and many other over-the-counter or prescription medications can over-tax the liver. Many nuts and seeds are rancid by the time they are eaten due to their high fat content. Nuts and grains also often have high mold content and its concomitant aflatoxin. The latter, a potent carcinogen, is rough on the liver. Peanuts and corn often have the highest aflatoxin levels, but all stored nuts and grains may have significant levels of aflatoxin.

Sometimes all fats and oils need to be temporarily eliminated. "Healthy" oils may also need to be eliminated, or cut back on, including flaxseed oil. (Is it really natural for humans to use large amounts of these oils? Do animals reach for a bottle of oil in the refrigerator?) Hydrogenated oils and any heated oils are the worst here. The lipid peroxide radical--one of the most harmful free radicals--can be created from oils or fats. Some experts though do recommend daily intake of essential fatty acids including MaxEPA omega 3 fish oil and evening primrose or borage or black currant oil. Lecithin, choline, inositol and phosphatidyl choline can help the liver handle fats. Again individual, kinesiological testing reveals what foods, supplements, etc. are safe or unsafe for any person. This is crucial when a person is very ill! There is no substitute for this, not by "blood type" or anything else. A rotation diet may be needed to prevent new allergy/addictions from forming. Some liver-aiding foods include: beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, green barley powder, artichokes, burdock root and dandelion root. (Caution: some of these vegetables have anti-thyroid substances. H.E.B.S. muscle testing, as always, is recommended. See also my thyroid/adrenal article.) Other sulfur containing foods like eggs, garlic, onions, shallots can also help the liver's detoxification pathways.

Eliminating every allergic or toxic substance from entering the body and halting a weak liver from having to deal with it, is necessary for recovery. Some experts recommend liver cleansing only after colon cleansing, as a leaky gut will force the liver to over-work to clear out critters or their toxins. A good daily probiotic may also be helpful here. Colonics may be good for removing waste stuck to the intestinal walls, but always remember, they don't actually kill most of the critters that cling to the intestines. L-Glutamine is often recommended for "leaky gut syndrome" or "intestinal repair." It may help. But there are two points I wish to raise here. First, some people, especially those with MSG sensitivity, may not tolerate glutamine. Secondly the intestines cannot be repaired until all overgrowths are ascertained and then eliminated. This may need to be done many times in the lifetime of those who were not breast-fed or who have genetic weaknesses or other weaknesses in this regard.

Many people have a problem with the ubiquitous food additive MSG (Monosodium Glutamate). Cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid may be contraindicated for those with MSG sensitivity. MSG is now more ubiquitous than ever. Apparently, it may now even be labeled as "natural flavoring" and thus may even be in many products at your health food store, labeled "all natural." If a product says "flavor," spice" or "hydrolyzed protein", beware. A food product can even say "no added MSG," and it can mean that the final manufacturer didn't add any MSG. But they could have purchased some processed ingredients from somewhere else that contains MSG, and it"s all OK?! It can also be called many other things. MSG is sort of a super sodium and can overload the liver. Processed foods also can contain sulfites and other toxic xenobiotics without listing this.

The amount of food (daily caloric intake) may need to be decreased as well. Eating less can help lighten the liver's load. A proper amount of protein though is said to be needed to help the liver do its work. Of course, ideally, the caloric intake can also be individually ascertained via muscle testing. Drinking a lot of good water is important as always. Distilled water may be required if heavy metals or other toxins are at high levels, otherwise a good, purified water is recommended. But water should be muscle-tested. Avoiding excess salt is important too. While I noted the need for salt (sodium) in the weak adrenal person in another article/enewsletter, there are many conditions that are only conducive to healing with low sodium diets. This can include liver disorders, parasitosis, ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems, asthma, and other disorders. Foods containing salicylates can be rough on the liver. These foods were already noted in my Allergies and Candida book as a cause of hyperactivity in children--the so-called Feingold Diet. (They include many fruits, nuts, potatoes and other foods and aspirin and some preservatives.) Wheat, corn and other gluten grains may need to be eliminated for the benefit of our livers. All grains (grasses) may need to be eliminated if the liver is very weak. Others can eat some rice, millet, or quinoa. Muscle test. Simple carbohydrates (sugars, fruits, fruit juices) may not be tolerated. Green vegetables will be the mainstay of the liver diet. Fasting for more than a day or two is not recommended here, as the liver needs protein to recover and work properly. Fasting depletes glutathione and other anti-oxidants and can weaken the thyroid. A too-rapid detox may also occur from a lengthy fast. But a one-day fast should be fine for many people. (Consult your health practitioner.) Some people recommend a rice (or rice powder) diet, but many are, or will, become allergic to this too, if eaten everyday. These so-called hypoallergenic food substitutes also have too much sweetener--usually rice syrup. People with weak livers also often have blood sugar/insulin problems. There is no such thing as "hypoallergenic" if it is ingested often. This is despite claims by "experts" that such rice powders are "hypoallergenic." Likewise I do not recommend any other daily, powdered, protein foods for the same reason. Except maybe as part of a rotation diet, until the "critters" are killed and the mercury or other toxins are eliminated from the body. Get a Hair Mineral Analysis to easily check your levels of heavy metals.

Weight loss is important once the liver becomes fatty. This may not be easy to do, as a weak liver is partly responsible for weight gain. So diet changes, exercise and supplementation are all needed to simultaneously restore the liver and eliminate excess weight. A study just out from Sweden obtained preliminary results that weight disorders may really be part of an autoimmune disease affecting the hypothalamus in the brain. See, for example: http://www.laurushealth.com/HealthNews/reuters/NewsStory1209200211.htm Of course, my Allergies and Candida book years ago noted the hypothalamus' role in weight problems. But the liver may be weak leading to the autoimmune disorder, and the diet and supplement changes herein may help the body to overcome this (and other) autoimmune disorders.

Many supplements can help the liver to restore itself. (But some experts recommend little or no supplementation as supplements may force too rapid a detox that some liver elements may not be able to handle. Or the supplements may contain something allergic or toxic.) Potentially helpful supplements include vitamins, minerals, amino acids and herbs. Herbs, of course, are not part of the body and caution is urged here. Also beware that any herbal supplement that contains "certified potency" nutrients, may also have hexane or other chemical used to extract "certified amounts." Some companies care less than others what chemicals may be in their supplements. I have already written that "vegicaps" contain cotton or wood pulp that has been pesticided and further treated with processing chemicals and then sodium lauryl sulfate as a preservative. You may have to avoid capsules and take the contents in liquid or under the tongue followed by water.

The most beneficial herb for the liver is milk thistle and its component silymarin. It can protect and even restore liver function. Milk thistle is even available in organic form (contact us for this information.) Globe artichoke is in the same food family and provides similar benefits. There are many different herbs used in different parts of the world for boosting the liver. Many herbs are actually salicylate containing compounds (see above) and may not be tolerated if the liver is very weak. So I have decided not to list dozens of different herbs here.

The tripeptide (three amino acids), L-Glutathione can be crucial for the liver's detoxification pathways. The three amino acids comprising reduced glutathione are L-cysteine, L-glutamic acid and L-glycine. (If a bottle of glutathione doesn't say "reduced glutathione" or Glutathione-GSH, it is the three amino acids in the uncombined form.) After reading several books and articles on Glutathione recently, it is clear that virtually all the anti-oxidants work with Glutathione. Its levels decrease with age and virtually any stress or illness. It may be more crucial for the liver than all other supplements and herbs put together. It has, until recently, been considered to be very poorly absorbed in the gut. More recent research indicates Glutathione is absorbed when taken orally. Valerie Hudson, PhD wrote an excellent overview of Glutathione and she reported "the number and sophistication of recent research articles demonstrating that GSH is taken up intact from the small intestine outweigh those denying that such uptake occurs." Vitamin C may be needed to assist Glutathione uptake. See Dr. Hudson's article at http://members.tripod.com/uvicf/gsh/gshprospects.htm

One can also get glutathione through an "I.V. push" or via a nebulizer direct into the lungs, and via a nasal spray for the sinuses, brain and systemically. If taken orally, it should be placed under the tongue for a while. Glutathione works with Selenium, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, and Vitamin P (bioflavonoids such as carotenoids or quercitin). The supplements N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), and alpha lipoic acid (these two supplements should be tested carefully by an expert kinesiologist, as many clients have tested weak to them) also can help boost either Glutathione levels or the liver's ability to detoxify substances.

In general, aging, exercise, physical and mental stress, and virtually all illnesses create free radicals; and the body's stores of glutathione will get depleted while the body tries to counteract the free radicals with this substance. Thousands of studies have been done in the last several decades, which have revealed that virtually every organ in the body utilizes this crucial anti-oxidant and the tissue becomes depleted of it when stressed in any way, such as with illness. The liver itself is protected by the glutathione it manufactures. So depletion of it leads to a vicious, downward cycle. Glutathione may well be the closest thing to the fountain of youth as far as a supplement or injectable substance goes. (But there are no panaceas or substitutes for complete medical and kinesiological work-ups.) The studies that have been done are often done with N-acetyl-cysteine or other nutrients or even with some drugs that boost glutathione levels. I find this very strange. Some of the researchers claim they use these other substances when they are purportedly trying to assay glutathione's effects, because of the short half-life of glutathione. This may be true to some extent, but I wonder if they don't actually use glutathione itself because of politics and economics. The injectable glutathione had its patent lapse so there are no great profits to be made on it. It may thus be even more beneficial than these studies indicate. And the powers that be would rather have people need a drug from a physician and the pharmaceutical industry, rather than get the actual nutrient--glutathione--that they need and are trying to utilize!?

Glutathione is found in raw fruits and vegetables. You might consider trying Glutathione via the IV push from your holistic physician, hopefully after muscle testing it. Orally, amounts now recommended are from 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams a day. (We have some of the best reduced glutathione.) Then, there is a somewhat popular, patented, cow�s milk, whey powder that is touted as a glutathione booster because of its high cysteine and other amino acid content. It has been used in many studies, so there is likely some truth in this, but my readers and those with significant allergies will not likely tolerate it. Dairy products are usually contraindicated for liver healing. Again, the final word on glutathione may be that it is best to try the new, liposomal glutathione from us or other source.

Other amino acids needed for liver detoxification, or rejuvenation, include taurine, glycine, glutamine, and cysteine. Some recommend methionine, but I would avoid this unless tested properly. Vitamin C is very important, as are the B-Vitamins. My Allergies and Candida book already notes the need for obtaining phosphorylated B-Vitamins, as the liver may no longer be able to convert these vitamins into their active, coenzyme form. This applies to Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B5. Pantethine is the converted form of Vitamin B5; and is also the precursor to Coenzyme A, of the body�s energy cycle. Pantethine is available as a supplement, and it is very important for general wellness and energy levels. Vitamin A should perhaps be supplemented only in an emulsified form or palmitate form if the liver is weak. Vitamin E is needed. Small amounts of the essential fatty acids may be needed. These need to be tested carefully because of the oil discussion cited above. Lots of raw, fresh vegetables (for the nutrients and the fiber) and vegetable juices (and fruits only if tolerated which is often not the case) should be the mainstay of the liver-cleansing diet. I know this is in contradistinction to my recommendation to eat only cooked food when trying to eradicate parasites. So there are several options. It may be impossible, or undesirable, to do the two diets simultaneously. Do one or the other first. Logically, it would seem that killing the critters should come first as the liver cannot "get well" while critter toxins are continually entering the blood from the gastrointestinal tract. Consult your health practitioner. Of course, you can see if you can get your glutathione, and other anti-oxidants from supplements (instead of raw produce while you are killing the critters), nebulizer, IV, etc. But there is a time for everything, and a time not to do certain things. So (later perhaps) for the liver cleanse, raw vegetables may be needed and helpful. You could always burn off the critters. A brief, direct fire over all the surface area of a fruit or vegetable will likely kill all the critters while soaking in any solution will not.

A liver/gallbladder flush and colon cleansing can be crucial for obtaining a healthy liver. I will not describe the liver/gallbladder flush here because in rare cases--large or plentiful gallstone(s--people have had crises and underwent emergency gallbladder removal surgery after doing this flush. So consult your practitioner in this regard. It can be very beneficial for most people, but first get a CT scan to check for gallstones or a clogged bile duct; then you should be able to find this information easily on the Internet or in your library. [It's just that I have had clients who reported this flush (done on their own before seeing me) caused a gallstone (they didn't know they had) to get stuck and emergency surgery, and gallbladder removal, were needed.] Some people though report weight loss and health returned only after doing one or more liver/gallbladder flushes.

Some experts tout oral or injectable glandular extracts. So-called live-cell extracts are derived from cow, sheep, or pig fetal tissue. These are available for the liver and numerous other organs and are more popular in Europe. Supposedly they can help your own liver to heal and regenerate or reinvigorate itself. These can be very expensive, but some people swear by them.

Experts on dehydration tout the 8-10 tall glasses of water a day as an aid to help the liver and may even lower excess cholesterol and triglycerides.

Charcoal taken a half-hour before eating is recommended as charcoal adsorbs toxins to a remarkable extent. Skin brush cleaning before showering, bathing or taking a sauna aids the body in detoxing. Naturopaths strongly recommend some form of hydrotherapy. This can include saunas, or hot and cold showering, or hot and cold wet towel treatments. See your naturopathic reference. Castor oil packs warmed and placed over the liver area also can aid in detoxification and liver rejuvenation. Sweating out the toxins rests the kidneys and the liver. All these hydrotherapy methods, and exercise, get the blood and lymph flowing. (Contact us if you are interested in getting a far-infrared sauna, which is a great toxin eliminator and lymph mover.)

I should summarize the Liver's Phase I, II, and III detoxification pathways. Many toxins are fat-soluble and it is the liver's job to make them water-soluble so that they can be eliminated via the kidneys or via bile/stool elimination. In Phase I, (cytochrome P-450 enzyme and other) detoxification reactions, include oxidation and hydrolysis. These reactions add oxygen and are called activation or--when increased--up-regulation. This makes some chemicals less toxic. However this phase of activation or oxidation actually creates large amounts of free radicals and even makes some chemicals become carcinogenic. If the liver's Phase II capacity is under-functioning, many of the free radicals, and potential carcinogens, created via the Phase I reactions can get into the blood stream and cause harm and illness. Some labs test for Phase I and II activity as well as for glutathione levels. These lab tests involve ingesting aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine. Assuming this is tolerable, then blood, urine and saliva are taken to assay how well and how quickly the liver processes these chemicals. As I am known for, I do not recommend wasting time and money on stool testing for "critters" as they are primarily incapable of finding Protozoan parasites. Phase I can be inhibited by grapefruit (narginen) and some herbs, spices and drugs. Other herbs can enhance Phase I. Some Phase I intermediate metabolites are similar, or identical, to sedative drugs or herbs. This can, in part, account for fatigue in CFS sufferers. Aldehydes also are produced in Phase I reactions.

I should note that the P450 enzymes also synthesize steroids, prostaglandins, and other substances. The P450 enzymes are found not only in the liver, but also in the gastrointestinal tissue (especially at the tip of the villi), lungs, skin and kidneys/bladder, brain and blood vessels, and to a lesser extent in all the cells of the body. They have been found in the cell�s mitochondria (energy factories) and in the nuclear membrane.

Phase II is conjugation (or addition) of sulfur, or other, compounds--making the toxins water-soluble. Larger processed toxic molecules are eliminated in the bile; smaller ones via the kidneys. Phase II reactions ideally process and eliminate the substances made from the Phase I pathway as well as any free radicals or heavy metals not processed by Phase I reactions. Some people have very active (up-regulated in response to toxins) Phase I, but diminished Phase II, capacities. This can lead to many Phase I activated substances released into the blood and subsequent damage to the body's proteins including DNA. If the immune system then has to counter these toxins, allergies, autoimmune disease or cancer can result. If both Phase I and Phase II are under-functioning many toxins, including fat-soluble toxins get into the blood stream. Fat-soluble toxins will obviously damage fat-soluble organs or cellular components. The cell membrane is fat-soluble and thus cells can lose their integrity, which leads to their own permeability or death. Fatty organs include the brain, the nervous system, endocrine glands, the skin, and the liver itself. So these tissues or organs will degrade when Phase I and II are both malfunctioning, or perhaps when Phase II alone is overloaded.

Phase III is elimination/excretion into the bile and thence into the small intestine. This Phase is the last to be elucidated. Like Phases I and II, various factors can hinder or up-regulate Phase III. Estrogen or estrogen-like substances (such as DDT and other pesticides) have recently been found to interfere with Phase III.

Taking supplements that up-regulate Phase I while Phase II is "weak," can lead to harm. So nutrients that help both phases do their respective jobs should be taken together, unless you get specific tests that indicate otherwise. Helpful Phase I nutrients include: Vitamins C, E, B1, B2, folic acid (or better the coenzyme form: folinic acid), selenium, zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, carotenoids, glutathione, NAC, alpha lipoic acid, indoles (from cruciferous vegetables) and milk thistle (silymarin.) A low-fat diet can be crucial here. Helpful nutrients for Phase II include magnesium, pantethine, and the amino acids taurine, cysteine, glutamine, glycine, glutathione (crucial here), and sulfur containing foods such as: radish, watercress, eggs, garlic, onions, shallots. A newer Phase II helper supplement is also a great, hypoallergenic source of calcium. This is Calcium D-Glucarate. The D-Glutaric acid part of this molecules aids the Liver's Phase II detoxification pathway known as Glucuronidation. So from the above discussion, taking the B-Vitamins and the anti-oxidants and other nutrients that boost Phase I activity without taking the amino acids, glutathione and/or the sulfur containing foods listed above that would boost Phase II activity can be harmful. Much water is needed for the liver's detoxification pathways. Two or even three 8-10 oz glasses of water a half-hour before eating, is recommended by some experts, just for "normal" digestion. Kidney problems can also occur if insufficient water or diminished liver processing of toxins is present.

To sum up, you may be able to get well only if and when your liver gets well first. This can be a prerequisite to overcoming allergies, fatigue, fibromyalgia, chronic illness, etc. You may need to be on a meat-free, grain-free, organic vegetable-rich diet for a few months. As well, try to avoid all toxic substances in air, water, and food. Special liver enabling nutrients like glutathione, milk thistle (silymarin) and other anti-oxidants may help. Ideally muscle test every food and supplement before ingesting. Failure to do this with a good and accurate kinesiologist is a leading reason for failure of chronically ill people to get well. It your food or supplement is allergic or toxic for you, you cannot get well.

The length of time needed for a liver-detox diet and supplement regimen can be determined by your (hopefully kinesiology-using) health practitioner. The length of time that one needs to eat a reduced-calorie, gluten-free, meat-free, fat-free (or lowered fat) diet along with large amounts of the nutrients listed above varies with the individual. How "liver-sick" and/or allergic one is, age, ability to exercise, handle stress, and eliminate environmental toxins are all relevant factors here. Tolerance of the "healing crisis" is also a factor. Remember though that allergy/addiction withdrawal, or allergic reactions themselves, or critter die-off often masquerade as a "healing crisis." These factors are usually not considered when a change in diet or supplements occurs. All symptoms are often piled together as the "healing crisis" or a "good thing" when it may not be! This is another crucial reason for using HEBS Kinesiology.

In the beginning of the liver cleansing diet, there can be a worsening of some symptoms including fatigue, brain fatigue, headache, and perhaps any complaints the person usually suffers from. As usual, only if the person has been tested for allergy to all foods and supplements can we be sure that any such symptoms are from a healing crisis, and not merely from allergy to the foods or supplements. Nearly all of my clients are reacting to many of the foods and supplements they think are helping them, when they first come to see me. If gastrointestinal overgrowth is present, the "critters" should perhaps be dealt with first. If heavy metals or other toxins are in the body, these should be removed if possible. Or the person should be removed from a toxic environment first, if this is he source of the problem. But supplementing with glutathione and milk thistle and other anti-oxidants may be a good thing for most of humanity to do most of the time.

Get some gentle exercise like walking or rebounding. Reduce stress, and get proper rest and sleep. Underlying problems like hiatal hernia and trigger/pain/neurologically dysfunctioning points should be addressed as well to aid normal energy flows. There is much energy balancing for the liver that Applied Kinesiology can provide. These methods--including Chapman neurolymphatics and Bennett neurovasculars--can be done many times per day. They will increase lymph and blood flow to the liver respectively. The liver's front neurolymphatics are under the right nipple--a 3-4 inch band. Rub hard. Moving the lymph is very important for overcoming chronic illness. This can be facilitated via Applied Kinesiology, lymph massage, exercise, swing machine (see wellatlast.com), Lymph/Rife machines and other means.

Patience is needed as it can take months for the liver to get completely well, assuming you have first identified any underlying medical conditions and have eliminated toxic/allergic food, critter overgrowths and other toxic substances from your life. Some people though feel great improvement in only a week on the liver cleanse diet. The liver cleansing diet may have to be used several times a year for the rest of our lives. Or we may perhaps be wise to eat similarly all the time.

[Note: It might be wise to find out whether or not you have any hidden medical problems that are directly or indirectly burdening your liver. The quickest way may be to get a full body and head CT scan along with a virtual colonoscopy. The liver and gall bladder themselves will also be seen. No prescription is necessary and no dyes are injected and all of these procedures together can take just a half-hour or so. These centers are in most large cities in the USA and often there are mobile units going to smaller towns. (I have no financial, or other, ties to any such centers.)]

[NOTE: If you like my articles, please order my book(s), and other publications, and consider coming here for Kinesiology consultation and/or seminars, or phone consultations. Please do not send us your medical history, I can only help those that are ready to proceed fully. Thank you.]

Breakthroughs For Fatigue/Fibromyalgia, Anxiety, Asthma, and Cardiac and Other Chronic Illnesses

Copyright 2002, 3 Steven Rochlitz All Rights Reserved Illegal To Copy, Post Online, or Forward

Some of the chronic fatigue and brain fatigue felt by millions of sufferers with allergies, CFS, and fibromyalgia may be due to hidden or subclinical asthma, hyperventilation syndrome, and sleep apnea. Much chronic pain in fibromyalgia sufferers may be due to hidden trigger or pain points being active. All these problems may be related and will be covered in this article along with related maladies including (the chemical basis for) anxiety and (the neural/trigger point basis for) heart attacks.

Some allergists believe that anyone with food or pollen allergies has some asthma. It may at first only be noticed upon exertion or exercise. Some variations of asthma may induce little wheezing, just shortness of breath, or intolerance of exercise. So both the patient and the physician may not be aware of the asthma until it progresses to a serious point; by which time it will be more difficult to overcome. Asthma is increasing in children and adults at an alarming rate. In New Zealand, one out of five adults has been diagnosed with asthma. Perhaps it is better tested there. It is sad that both orthodox and holistic physicians (and emergency room physicians) do not include the use of a $20-$30 Peak Flow Meter. Its use only takes a minute. A full, rapid exhalation pushes out a marker, and you look up your age and height, and compare the results. The usual "deep" breath in and out while the physician listens to the lungs is apparently, and perhaps unknowingly, insufficient to detect many cases of asthma. I would advise readers to purchase a Peak Flow Meter either online or from a medical supplies (or oxygen) supplier in their neighborhood. A related and free test is to see how long you can hold your breath. (This is also the Applied Kinesiology test for the diaphragm muscle.) A normal response is at least 45 seconds. World-class divers and athletes can go several minutes. A breath holding time of 30-45 seconds is borderline, or can be due to mild asthma or other maladies. (This includes Hiatal Hernia.) 15-30 seconds may be considered moderate asthma. Less than 15 seconds may be severe. With critical asthmatics having a time of 5 seconds or less, as may many of those with emphysema or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.)

Asthmatics have a constriction and inflammation of the bronchiole tubes and possibly also mucous formation. Of course, allergies to foods and inhalants (chemicals and pollens) often play a role in this. Inhalation of industrial pollutants and cigarette smoke and other toxins can be, at least partially, causative. Allergies to MSG and sulfites may be very problematic here. Deficiencies of negative ions, high altitude and other factors may also be at play. Correcting nutritional deficiencies may help. These can include magnesium and Vitamins C, B6, B5 and B12. The tripeptide Glutathione (made in the liver, and to a lesser extent in all cells) is the crucial anti-oxidant for the lungs. It is available in nebulized form for people with respiratory problems. Glutathione is also available as an "I.V. push" into the blood or as a supplement. See my article on the liver for more information on glutathione. (So if glutathione deficiency is the cause of some asthma, ultimately the liver may be the organ that needs to first be improved.) One study found significant relief, and objective air flow test improvement, was afforded to asthmatics in 4-12 months with a diet free of grains, salt, meats and some other foods. This is also nearly identical to a "liver cleanse" diet! As always, complete allergy testing to all foods and supplements is crucial here. Dust mites affect many people. Some people get some relief with air filters, negative ion generators, mattress and pillowcase covers and mite-killing detergent and cleaner.

Drugs used to treat asthma include bronchodilator inhalers, corticosteroid inhalers and/or oral medication, cromolyn sodium (an allergic reaction preventer), and leukotriene inhibitors. The first two classes of drugs above are now often prescribed together and in a time-release manner. Many herbs have for hundreds or thousands of years been used to improve asthma. In reviewing this list, I find that many are often nowadays allergenic and have decided not to list them, as most people would not get tested first! Various homeopathic remedies are employed by practitioners of this art. Again as this is almost never muscle-tested, and the fact that there may now be a cure, or near-cure, for asthma (see below), I will not list these here either. We also have to recognize the desire for an instant pill cure often indicates that we do not want to make the diet or lifestyle changes needed to overcome a problem. Acupuncture and various bodywork methods on the breathing muscles may also provide some benefit. There is even a new, handheld, oral device that puts variable resistance on inhalation so as to improve your breathing muscles. See www.powerbreathe.com or contact us to order the new PowerBreathe device.

Live cell glandular extracts may be beneficial for asthma and other respiratory illnesses. (See my Liver article for more on live cell therapy.) The adrenal, lung and mesenchyme extracts may be very helpful. A trial of a few vials--hopefully after HEBS muscle testing is performed--will suffice to know if this therapy will work. Sadly the original "Adrenal Cortical Extract (ACE)" was replaced, beginning in the 1940's and 1950's, by cortisone drugs which do not work as well as the ACE did, and have side effects. But the adrenal live cell extract may help "re-charge" the adrenals, and thus help with asthma and many other ills.

Hiatal Hernia and GERD (reflux) may cause or exacerbate asthma; or the low oxygen states of asthma may cause or exacerbate Hiatal Hernia. Treating one may help the other. Mastering the testing and correcting of the Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Impingement Syndrome may be both crucial and difficult! This syndrome may be the earliest cause of asthma in many people. Many allergic people have chronic sinusitis, which has been called "asthma of the nose." Sometimes only a CT scan, or MRI, finds that the sinuses are chronically "clogged" and/or infected. Bacteria and/or fungi may be harbored there. Becoming asthmatic later in life may be symptomatic of harboring viral and/or bacterial infections. Emotions or stress can exacerbate asthma. But see the discussion below which elucidates the chemical cause and nature of "anxiety."

The ultimate test for asthma and other respiratory diseases is the Pulmonary Function Test (PFT). Done in a hospital or large clinic setting, this test takes about an hour or more. Numerous inhalation and exhalation tests are conducted with air volumes and times accurately measured. All these tests may then be repeated after inhalation of a bronchodilator drug if a problem is found. These tests can be stressful for those with severe respiratory disorders.

Anyone with fatigue, allergies, and/or anxiety should learn about hyperventilation syndrome. Hyperventilation is also called over-breathing. Asthmatics are said to greatly over-breathe more than is needed, thus losing much carbon dioxide (CO2). So low carbon dioxide blood levels and an over-alkaline blood condition exists. Let us now explore the linked biochemical basis for fatigue/fibromyalgia, asthma, hyperventilation and anxiety. You may know of the body's citric acid (energy) cycle. Cellular citrate, and sometimes blood citrate levels, are elevated in people with the above maladies because the citrate cannot be converted properly to 2-oxo-glutaric acid. This important reaction is glutathione-dependent. As glutathione levels go down, citrate goes up and 2-oxo-glutaric acid goes down. As citrate goes up in the cell, the level of a chemical called 2,3 DPG goes down in the cell. 2,3 DPG controls the ability of hemoglobin to yield its oxygen molecules. So even though there may be plenty of oxygen on the hemoglobin on the red blood cells, too little is released by the hemoglobin. With decreased oxygen, the tissues become acidic, with concomitant aches and pains (as in fibromyalgia). With tissue acidosis, carbon dioxide levels drop. Carbon dioxide is far more than �a waste gas� as most of medicine considers it. It is a master regulator. The body counters tissue acidosis by making the blood overly alkaline. When the blood becomes too alkaline, the kidneys rush in to help. The urine becomes acidic. If your urine is too acid and nothing helps, you may have hyperventilation syndrome and alkaline blood and low CO2 blood levels. All the diet changes, supplements, �coral calcium� etc. may be of no use in correcting urine or saliva pH, if hidden asthma and/or hyperventilation syndrome is at play. When the blood becomes very alkaline and the carbon dioxide level drops, a severe anxiety state (and possibly asthma) can exist. Unfortunately, the medical profession often classifies someone showing low CO2 and alkaline blood as anxiety-induced, even by the "fear of getting an artery nicked for the blood gases test!" In all likelihood, because the people with these blood anomalies exhibit anxiety, the medical profession, as usual, has it 180 degrees from reality. In fact, CFS expert Paul Cheney PhD (Physics), M.D. has written, that when arterial blood alkalosis along with urine acidosis shows itself, "It is never psychogenic. It's a metabolic problem. It's a compensatory, respiratory and renal alkalosis." The blood alkalosis further lowers the 2,3DPG and a vicious cycle ensues! Blood alkalosis then causes constriction of all the blood vessels in the body! Toxins are not removed well, and the blood volume drops from the constriction. More aches, pains, fatigue and brain fatigue result from systemic and brain vasoconstriction. One way to increase the blood volume and help the blood vessel constriction is to drink a lot more water! So the "water cure" can help a lot, but we see that dehydration may be a result, and not a primary cause.

So here, at last, is a cohesive, biochemical picture revealing the intertwining of hyperventilation, anxiety, allergies, toxicities, asthma, glutathione deficiency, dehydration, and liver and cellular anomalies. Ultimately toxins overloading the liver--mercury perhaps being the worst--and perhaps all the cells, by interfering with glutathione, may be the cause of this whole Syndrome. So as I have always said, there are few things that truly initiate chronic physical and "mental" illness: Basically critters and/or toxins. Dr. Cheney first recommended halting this vicious syndrome by raising carbon dioxide levels by using a rebreathing mask with oxygen. More recently, he has recommended a yoga type breathing method, using some breath holding, that will (over time) raise CO2 levels.

There are various breathing methods that may help with hyperventilation syndrome. Two important breathing methods are actually in opposition to each other as far as some of their basic tenets are concerned. Yoga breathing (pranayama) is often associated with deep breathing. However it includes breath-holding and some shallow breathing too. A newer method stems from the Russian physician, Konstantin Buteyko. It involves re-training the body to hold onto more carbon dioxide by performing many periods of shallow breathing (the mainstay), and breath holding throughout the day. Buteyko held that the low CO2 level was the cause of asthma and many other maladies. Only nasal breathing (in and out) is allowed in this method. The mouth gets taped at night to prevent excess exhalation of CO2.

For those using oxygen, special add-on devices make the person re-breathe some CO2. The old "breathe into a paper bag" method for those suffering anxiety/panic attacks is again for rapidly increasing blood CO2 levels. The Buteyko method has purportedly benefited over a million Soviet citizens. Many of these people were able to get off asthma medication after mastering this method. Perhaps most people with respiratory problems and hyperventilation syndrome will benefit. One Australian study had a significant portion of the Buteyko users get off some or all medication, although their peak flow tests did not significantly improve. (Asthmatics often get bronchospams just from performing a forceful, rapid exhalation.) You can easily test the validity of the carbon dioxide hypothesis as follows. A stuffed nose may be corrected by holding your breath and then moving your head up and down. The breath-holding raises CO2 levels and the head involvement brings some CO2 to the head region. Sinuses should quickly clear up, if you hold your breath for a while. Breath-holding for 45 seconds raises the carbon dioxide levels to an extent that it equals one puff on a bronchodilator! Breath-holding should never be done to the point of great duress; only until you feel you need to breathe again. Hiatal Hernia and the infraspinatus and/or cardiac reflexes found by Harry Philibert, M.D.(see below), or others,may also cause or exacerbate the hyperventilation syndrome.

Regarding anxiety, my website and books, etc. make clear there are many other potential physical/biochemical causes of anxiety states. Perhaps some, or all, of these anomalies end up causing the low CO2/hyperventilation syndrome? These other factors include endocrinological disorders (adrenal, thyroid, blood sugar problems), mercury and other toxic overload, parasitosis, allergies, Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Impingement, the respiratory and /or coronary reflexes from Dr. Philibert (see below), or other trigger points, and other problems. But I wish to reiterate the asthma/anxiety link. There may be many people whose anxiety signifies a (sub-clinical) asthmatic state! Test the breath-holding time, or use a peak flow meter. This type of asthma may be without significant wheezing, but is recognized by breathlessness upon exertion, alkaline arterial blood and low CO2 blood levels.

It is the lowered carbon dioxide level that Buteyko hypothesized leads to bronchoconstriction as the body tries to stop the loss of any more carbon dioxide. Hyperventilation Syndrome (low CO2 level) is said to "cause" 200 illnesses, all of which are said to be improved by practicing the Buteyko, or other, breathing method of tricking the body into raising its CO2 levels. These maladies include: phobias/anxiety/panic, allergies, arthritis, eating disorders, cancer, sinusitis, diarrhea, CFS, colds, brain fog, depression, dizziness, skin problems, vision problems, flu, impotence/frigidity, headaches, heart problems, GERD, high blood pressure, infertility, insomnia, diabetes, irritability, memory problems, numbness, menopause symptoms, M.S., fibromyalgia, depression, PMS, sleep apnea, blood vessel spasms, stomach disorders, stress, stroke, thyroid problems, varicose veins, weight gain or loss, and numerous other problems. The list can be so large perhaps because the carbon dioxide level regulates the blood and the body�s pH (acid-alkaline) balance. Some of the above are serious medical problems that can require a physician�s continual care. It can take weeks or months of lengthy, daily breath re-training to get the body to change its CO2 levels and see an improvement. And then it's a life-long continual process, if this is all that is done. (But learning and trying the Buteyko system can be valuable for many people.) It is my opinion that low CO2 levels are a result of other problems and not the ultimate cause. See the discussion herein on glutathione, and also the discussion on the Philibert respiratory and cardiac reflexes. When you truly ascertain the earliest possible cause and deal with it wisely, the greatest improvement and possible outright cure can occur.

Many asthmatics, and many non-asthmatics, have sleep apnea. Just as with "sub-clinical" asthma, there may be millions of people not knowing that they have sleep apnea. Apnea refers to a cessation of breathing. The two types of sleep apnea are obstructive (back of mouth/throat closes off) or central (breathing totally stops due to an anomaly in the brain--likely the thalamus). A sleep apnea test is usually conducted in a hospital with a respiratory therapist and a video monitor observing throughout the night. An EEG (brain wave) monitor and an ECG (heart rhythm) monitor are hooked up to the patient throughout. Devices to monitor airflow from the nose and mouth are also placed on the subject. A diaphragm strap (to test for central sleep apnea) and leg monitors are also used to test for restless leg syndrome. Newer home apnea tests are in the works. A respiratory therapist can come to your home for testing. Snoring is the first sign of possible obstructive sleep apnea. Deviated septum, excess weight in the face, sinusitis, TMJ disorder, and recessed lower jaw are all predisposing factors to obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea events cause hypoxia (low oxygen blood levels), rapid heartbeat and increased likelihood of stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure and other serious complications including being "permanently cured" in your sleep. There may be very little deep sleep and REM state dreaming occurring because the brain continually senses a cessation of breathing and has to repeatedly awaken oneself (perhaps with a sensation of shocks in the head or body).

The lack of good sleep and REM dreaming does not allow the brain to re-fresh itself and chronic fatigue and brain fatigue may result. If the pituitary or hypothalamus is affected, endocrine (adrenal, thyroid, etc.) disorders can result. Sleep apnea may be a frequent hidden cause, or exacerbating factor, of CFS/FMS. Sluggish metabolism and overweight conditions can be caused by sleep apnea. Treatment is with a CPAP or BiPAP machine which forces air into the nose throughout sleep. Losing weight and avoiding allergens can help many apnea sufferers. But there are said to be many apnea sufferers who are thin. Apnea often accompanies asthma and sinusitis. Besides CPAP/BiPAP machines, dental devices are made by dentists for those who have mild to moderate sleep apnea. These push the lower jaw forward. (I am researching a similar mouthguard device for martial artists that may save over a thousand dollars.) There are also surgical interventions for severe sleep apnea sufferers. Radio waves or the newer laser beams burn away some tissue in the back of the throat. In extreme cases, partial tongue removal is actually performed. Many surgeries are apparently unsuccessful. I hypothesize that the Hiatal hernia is often the major cause of sleep apnea as it often is for asthma (whether the asthma is known or unknown).

A "free" potential "cure" for asthma and several other maladies is the "water cure." A method of natural healers for millennia, the water cure was brought to a new level by the work and books of F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. He claims to have routinely cured asthma, ulcers, gastritis, hiatal hernia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, arthritis, angina, obesity, and numerous other maladies with water. One needs to drink half one's (pound) weight in water ounces. I.e., a 200-pound person needs to daily drink 100 ounces of water. It may take several months to rehydrate oneself properly (whether or not you are thirsty) so this will not happen overnight. Salt is to be added so as to avoid the diuretic effect and sodium loss. The water volume must be measured precisely as we may not be drinking as much as we think we are. How many people drink 2-3 tall glasses of water upon awakening? This may be needed before each meal. Other liquids do not count and are usually dehydrating according to Dr. Batmanghelidj. I think that everyone should try this, but I have several criticisms of this work. It is first-rate work, but little or no mention is made of the different choices of water. (See http://www.wellatlast.com/products.html#waterionizer ). (If there is significant toxicity, distilled water may be needed.) Neither is the fact that some foods like monoamine containing foods (See my Allergies and Candida book), meats, and allergies cause dehydration in many people, perhaps regardless of how much water is imbibed. There is no warning that many people are already eating far too much salt. Many people ingest ten times the amount of salt they need! The �water cure� may be beneficial, in part, because it leads to diuresis and elimination of much of this excess salt! So, in my opinion, dehydration may be greatly improved just by cutting out, or down, on allergies, monoamines, salt and meats, and by eating less. (Recall also my discussion above about the blood vessel constriction and the factors that lead to this. This was part of the hyperventilation/low CO2 syndrome, perhaps ultimately due to low glutathione levels.) But I may be wrong, and the heroic efforts of long-term re-hydration may cure or greatly improve asthma and the other maladies noted above. Everyone should try the water cure, for at least two months, as it is virtually without side-effects, and free, and it may work.

Some pulmonary disorders like emphysema, and pulmonary fibrosis are said to be incurable, but the different modalities in this article can provide significant relief. Asthma though has been cured. New NIH guidelines now, however, say that asthma is incurable. I believe that is said because there is much money to be made on lifetime drug support. In fact, I have already written that asthma medications (oral and inhalers) have a long and sordid history of containing the most allergenic ingredients or preservatives, coloring agents, etc. This remains the case today. Bronchodilators cause hyperventilation--acting almost like adrenalin; and hyperventilation, we know, can cause asthma and thus such drugs may make it very difficult to overcome asthma. Oftentimes more and more puffs are needed until it stops working. Older texts until the 1940�s declared that no one died from asthma. Now some 6,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from asthma or the medications for it. Some benefit for asthma comes from the work of Harry Philibert, M.D.

Philbert began using what is now called "neural therapy" 50 years ago. This refers to injections of procaine or lidocaine or cortisone, or combinations of these, into various trigger points or pain points or other points on the body. This therapy came into its own in Germany in the 1940�s and today it is said to be a frequent treatment there for pain disorders. It is not popular elsewhere. Major work in this area was elucidated by Janet Travell, M.D. She discovered many "trigger points" throughout the body. Her treatments were injections, or compression on these trigger points, or the "spray and stretch" method which employed spraying a numbing compound while stretching the muscle. She was President Kennedy's White House physician and even designed his famous rocking chair. A related treatment protocol for trigger points is Bonnie Pruden's myotherapy. This involves pressure on the trigger points followed by stretching and exercises to loosen up the affected muscles. There are many other, newer systems offering some manual type of therapy on trigger points. The point here being that the existence of trigger points in a person may signal not just pain, but may be the cause, or a cause, of many serious diseases!

Neural therapy is variously hypothesized to correct neurological, lymphatic, acupuncture, fascia matrix, and/or toxicological/chemical imbalances. There are involved theories as to how procaine or lidocaine injections into nerve/pain/trigger points can sometimes lead to such profound and rapid changes, and health improvements, in the body. They are beyond the scope here, and are as of yet unproven. But any, or all, the imbalances noted above may be involved. All these systems may be imbalanced and inter-related. Philibert found that asthmatics that received injections into their infraspinatus muscles (for shoulder blade, or other pains) later told him their asthma was improved.

Less well-known, and even more crucial for survival, may be Dr. Philibert's discovery of the coronary reflex. Here the pain points are on the pectoralis major muscles' joining to the sternum. According to Philibert, this cardiac reflex may be a cause of angina, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), high blood pressure and 50-60% of heart attacks! He notes that autopsies on half of all heart attack fatal victims reveal no heart or blood vessel disease that could have caused the heart attack! When this reflex becomes active, chest pain, vasoconstriction, panic, tachycardia, and eventual heart attack may ensue. But there is a prerequisite to this reflex. First there must be some trauma to certain vertebrae. This occurs in whiplash, and other, injuries. Here is a critical link to fibromyalgia. Many fibro sufferers report a car accident or other trauma then led to severe, chronic pain. Once again, Philibert duplicated his findings with rabbits. Only those rabbits whose vertebrae were first traumatized followed by saline injections into the pectoralis major pain points died of cardiac arrest. Dr. Philibert, or other neural therapy physicians would treat both the spinal vertebrae and the pectoralis major pain points with lidocaine injections.

The typical whiplash-injured vertebrae--that also can lead to activating the coronary trigger (reflex--include C-4, 5, 6, 7 of the cervical spine (neck), T-4, 5, 6, 7 of the thoracic spine (just below the neck), and L-3, 4, 5 (of the lumbar region) and S-1 of the sacrum. The cardiac trigger reflex points themselves are the following: Most often Philibert found that the tendon end of the Pectoralis Major muscle where it joins the sternum at the level of the left 3rd and 4th ribs, and less frequently the 5th rib. It can exist on the right side as well. But note that it is the C-5, 6 vertebrae that also innervate the infraspinatus muscles! I may be the first to hypothesize a direct connection between the Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Impingement (HHS/VNI) Syndrome to the respiratory and/or cardiac trigger reflexes of Dr. Philibert. Perhaps the activation of one or both of these two Philibert trigger reflexes causes or exacerbates the HHS/VNI, or vice versa! Perhaps the activation of one or both of these reflexes is a missing link preventing the stomach from staying down! I am currently researching these possibilities. The vast majority of the physicians employing neural therapy do not know or use his cardiac and respiratory reflexes, and the other triggers Philibert found.

In general, neural therapy practitioners claim that 40% of all illnesses are due to interference fields in the body. They claim great success with the following maladies: allergies, arthritis, asthma, emphysema, heart problems, sinusitis, eye diseases, hormonal/endocrine imbalances, PMS, bladder dysfunction, prostate problems, circulatory disorders, many gastrointestinal problems, dizziness, ear problems, gallbladder, kidney, liver disease, headache, chronic pain, and other ills. Neural therapy is said to be very effective under the following circumstances: Other therapies, including holistic therapies, do not work as expected, and new symptoms and organ involvements continually arise despite all treatments.

I have begun to use Advanced Kinesiology to perform a "Priority Balance" when the Philibert reflexes test weak (with good results). With this modality, the body "tells" the kinesiologist how to fix these trigger points. But this may be one area where an injection of procaine or lidocaine deep into these points may be the best treatment. I do not yet know which is the better method at the present time. I insert the following here at a later date: I have not found neural injections to last long at all. Likewise for the manual therapy. But I have learned this and teach these methods to my clinets for them to repeatedly do on themselves as it can be a great help for asthma, hiatal hernia and many other problems.

To sum up, there are many new methods available for preventing, improving, and even curing respiratory and cardiac illnesses. First though we need to recognize that much of the fatigue, and brain fatigue in those with allergies, CFS, and FMS may actually be due to subclinical asthma, hyperventilation (low CO2), and/or sleep apnea. ("Brain allergies" may sometimes really be asthma without wheezing.) These dangerous conditions (asthma, sleep apnea) need to be tested and dealt with if found. Failure to do so only ensures that they will get worse and can even be fatal. If your orthodox or holistic physician won�t employ an inexpensive Peak Flow Meter, get one yourself; and/or test your breath-holding time. Regarding sleep apnea: do you snore or wake up unrefreshed? Get someone to observe your sleep, then get the full-blown test. The various methods noted here--hyperventilation correction (breath re-training), Philibert pain point injections (neural therapy), herbs, glutathione, breathing device, and re-hydration may provide some improvement for even the most disabling pulmonary disorders including emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, and COPD. For asthma, there may be a relatively rapid, total cure. For fatigue/fibromyalgia: correcting hyperventilation, dehydration, glutathione deficiency, and using Philibert, or other, neural therapy injections, may yield relief or cure�assuming the other things my books discuss have been dealt with. Even for heart attacks, angina and other cardiac problems, there may also be a rapid method for prevention, improvement or cure.

Be well.

[NOTE: If you like my articles, please order my book(s), and other publications, and consider coming here for Kinesiology consultation and/or seminars, or phone consultations. Please do not send us your medical history, I can only help those that are ready to proceed fully. Thank you.]

A Missing Link To Chronic Illness, Allergies and Longevity?: Hiatal Hernia Syndrome/Vagus Nerve Imbalance

Copyright 2002, 2005, 2007 Steven Rochlitz, PhD
All rights Reserved. Illegal to Copy or Transmit Without Express, Prior Permission
rochlitz@wellatlast.com (928) 649-2116

CRUCIAL NOTE: Some people may have [elsewhere] read a preliminary, unauthorized version of this article that is posted in violation of copyright law, and was never meant for publication, and is significantly different from this author's correct version of his article you are reading now. See, for example, the last few paragraphs below. And see the author's new booklet linking the Hiatal Hernia to a heart defect. Everyone with a Hiatal Hernia or Vagus Nerve problem needs to order and read that now. Please also note that (regretfully) various problems have prevented me from training anyone else in my breakthroughs for this complicated condition.

[Legal Disclaimer: This article is not intended for diagnosing, prescribing or treating any medical condition. Consult your physician.]

Could there be a factor either unknown, or not fully understood, by both mainstream and alternative medicine, that can initiate much chronic illness including allergies? Could there be a very dangerous condition in the body that can cause virtually every other organ of the body to malfunction? Could 85% of the population have this undetected condition? The answer is decidedly yes to each of these questions. At the end of this article, surprising, new evidence will be revealed that this factor may even be a predictor of life expectancy.

The biochemist Carey Reams, PhD, said, "illness begins with the Vagus Nerve." The Hiatal Hernia Syndrome (HHS) by pinching the Vagus Nerve causes Vagus Nerve Imbalance (VNI). This imbalance is usually a hyperexcitability, but a decreased energy state is also possible at some point in time. In a Hiatus Hernia, or Hiatal Hernia, the upper portion of the stomach protrudes through the opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm muscle. I urge the reader to go beyond any preconceived notions that this condition only causes GERD (acid reflux) and minor discomfort, and to read this article in its entirety before judging this work. My own recent research will be described for the first time, after reviewing one pioneering clinician's findings.

This article will reveal how this condition, Vagus Nerve Imbalance/Hiatal Hernia Syndrome, which I will abbreviate as VNI/HHS, can cause so many other maladies and symptoms, and how it can cause many other organs to malfunction. Then I will describe testing to uncover the VNI/HHS, and finally how to treat this insidious malady with various modalities. These methods include manipulations to rapidly correct (bring down) the stomach, as well as nutrition, diet and lifestyle changes. Health practitioners and/or patients can learn the crucial manipulations.

Theodore Baroody, D.C. called the Hiatal Hernia Syndrome, "the Mother of All Illness." 1 He states that nearly "every [non-infectious] condition (except trauma) is the direct result of some digestive dysfunction." 2 He wrote that the Hiatal Hernia Syndrome is "dangerous and brings about constant imbalances that lead to all maladies known to mankind." 3 He found that over 85% of of his patients when tested have a Hiatal Hernia! He further postulates that about "85% of the overall populace" has the HHS! My own clientele, mostly sufferers of severe fatigue/fibromyalgia and extreme food, chemical, and electromagnetic sensitivities have the Hiatal Hernia Syndrome over 90% of the time. It's no coincidence. I cannot blame the reader for any initial disbelief, as both Baroody and myself are often "mind boggled" to see again and again how seemingly unrelated illnesses or symptoms can be immediately relieved when "the stomach is brought down." The difficulty in seeing all this clearly often arises because many factors can prevent the stomach from "staying down." My own improved techniques may make this change last, and thus the improvement in these many, seemingly, unrelated conditions will be clear. I have gone vastly beyond all other practitioners regarding the Hiatal Hernia and Vagus Nerve Disorder--even finding a hidden heart defect that may be the real reason some with HHS/VNI suffer so much!
As stated above, Hiatal Hernia refers to the stomach's protrusion through the opening, (hiatus), in the diaphragm muscle. Wellness can ultimately only return when the diaphragm's hole, (hiatus), has been repaired and the stomach can no longer jump up. This can take months of continuously doing everything just right. The key to an enlightened understanding of the VNI/HHS is that the amount of stomach protrusion is often irrelevant. In many people, serious illness begins unfolding even if the amount of protrusion, (the Hiatal Hernia), is "small," as found, for example by X-ray. In many sufferers, any such protrusion causes major hyperexcitability of the Vagus Nerve! The extensive Vagus Nerve is so diverse and so interconnected to so many organs that it has been nicknamed the "wanderer." The slightest upward displacement of the stomach through the diaphragm disorders the Vagus Nerve. Immediately the stomach no longer is able to produce the proper amount of hydrochloric acid. The entire digestive process is then adversely affected. The final result is often that the entire body will become too acid.

From an imbalanced Vagus Nerve, any other organ can begin to malfunction depending on genetic weakness and various other factors. Of course, the diaphragm itself will directly be affected and breathing normally no longer occurs. Other openings in the diaphragm itself now stretched or torn allow the major blood vessels to and from the heart to pass through it. Thus spasms in the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava can occur. Indeed, Baroody found kinesiological (muscle) tests for two separate "stuck diaphragm" conditions related to abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava imbalances4. The heart itself can be crowded, and pressed on, by the stomach being "where it doesn't belong." These last factors and the direct hyperexcitability of the Vagus Nerve's connection to the heart, leads to many Emergency Room visits and "pseudo-heart attack" symptoms of chest pain, difficulty breathing and left arm numbness. The reader, if experiencing these complaints, should seek emergency medical care, and not assume they are arising from the HHS. There is a remarkable similarity between Hiatal Hernia Syndrome and angina. [See the CRUCIAL UPDATE at the end of this article for rochlitz' breakthrough linking the heart and the H.H.S.] Both can cause similar symptoms and both can occur after similar events such as overeating, exercise, and heavy lifting. My own hypothesis is that the Hiatal Hernia Syndrome, if uncorrected, may sometimes eventually become true angina. Also I have noted that every person I have seen with either atrial fibrillation or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) has hiatal hernia. It usually takes years before it gets to these seroius cardiac complaints, but dealing with the Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Syndrome and also muscle trigger points may be the best long-term solution if these are the ultimate causes of the heart rhythm disorders..

Pregnant women, for the obvious reasons, need frequent Hiatal Hernia corrections. This can provide remarkable relief for many complaints. The Hiatal Hernia can readily result from the trauma of birth. This will be undetected unless a good kinesiologist is around to perform surrogate muscle-testing on the infant. Now the end of this article will reveal that there is a possible link between Hiatal Hernia Syndrome and life expectancy. I would propose a long-term study, from birth, to learn statistically what illnesses correlate with Hiatal Hernia as well as the Hiatal Hernia's possible use as