All autoimmune conditions, and at their root they are connected by one central biochemical process: A runaway immune response also known as systemic inflammation that results in your body attacking its own tissues. Autoimmunity occurs when your immune system gets confused and your own tissues get caught in friendly cross-fire. Your body is fighting something -- an infection, a toxin, an allergen, a food or the stress response -- and somehow it redirects its hostile attack on your joints, your brain, your thyroid, your gut, your skin, or sometimes your whole body. Interestingly, autoimmune disorders occur almost exclusively in developed countries. People in poor nations without modern amenities like running water, flush toilets, washing machines, and sterile backyards don't get these diseases. If you grew up on a farm with lots of animals, you are also less likely to have any of these inflammatory disorders. Playing in the dirt, being dirty, and being exposed to bugs and infections trains your immune system to recognize what is foreign and what is "you." Unfortunately, many of the conventional treatments available can make you feel worse. Anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil, steroids, immune suppressants like methotrexate, and the new TNF-alpha blockers like Enbrel or Remicade can lead to intestinal bleeding, kidney failure, depression, psychosis, osteoporosis, muscle loss, and diabetes, not to mention overwhelming infection and cancer. When used selectively these drugs can help people get their lives back. But they are not a long-term solution. They shouldn't be the end of treatment, but a bridge to cool off inflammation while we treat the root cause of the disease. Found this from an article a while back. Nine Steps to Treating Autoimmune Disease 1. Check for hidden infections -- yeast, viruses, bacteria, Lyme, etc. -- with the help of a doctor, and treat them. 2. Check for hidden food allergens with IgG food testing or just try The UltraSimple Diet, which is designed to eliminate most food allergens. 3. Get tested for celiac disease, which is a blood test that any doctor can do. 4. Get checked for heavy metal toxicity. Mercury and other metals can cause autoimmunity. 5. Fix your gut. Read up on Irritable Bowel Syndrome. 6. Use nutrients such as fish oil, vitamin C, vitamin D, and probiotics to help calm your immune response naturally. 7. Exercise regularly -- it's a natural anti-inflammatory. 8. Practice deep relaxation like yoga, deep breathing, biofeedback, or massage, because stress worsens the immune response. 9. Tell your doctor about Functional medicine and encourage him or her to get trained -- go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org for more information and to get a copy of the Textbook for Functional Medicine. RA does not limit itself to the joints. It affects the whole body, although the hands, feet, wrists, ankles, and knees are most often affected. RA is an AI disease, which means that the body’s immune system turns on itself and attacks its own tissues.

You will benefit from a gluten-free diet if you have: • An autoimmune condition like lupus, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis • If you regularly experience 2 or more of the following symptoms: Abdominal Pain Gas and Bloating (especially after eating bread) Diarrhea Frequent heartburn Allover Weakness • Eliminate bread, pasta, barley, and rye • Read food labels to avoid sources of gluten: soy sauce, lunch meats, blue cheese. Google “avoid gluten†for a complete list. • Add more fresh fruits, vegetables, and rice to your diet. Daily Meditation and Prayer for at least 6 months A common class of drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, as well as Crohn’s disease, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have recently been linked to leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancers. Earlier research suggests these meds increase the risk for fungal infections and shingles. Excess weight puts added strain on painful, swollen joints.

Fish Oil - Studies show that people with rheumatoid arthritis who take fish oil have improvements in stiffness and pain. Take a good brand – such as Carlson’s. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid that is found mostly in plant-based oils. GLA can be gotten from several plant-based oils including evening primrose oil, borage oil, and black currant seed oil. Most of these oils also contain some linoleic acid. GLA may help reduce inflammation. Some preliminary evidence suggests evening primrose oil may reduce pain, swelling, and morning stiffness; but other studies have found no effect. When using GLA for arthritis symptoms, it may take 1 - 3 months to see any benefit. It is unlikely that evening primrose oil would help stop progression of the disease, so joint damage could still occur. For rheumatoid arthritis: Evening primrose oil (EPO), 3,000 mg daily, or gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), 1,400 mg daily, both divided into several smaller doses throughout the day. It’s worth trying for at least 3 months. OTHER TIPS Acupuncture reduces pain in 90% of patients! Homocysteine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in our bodies. In small quantities, it’s safe. In large amounts, it can produce free radicals that can lead to a build up of plaque in the arteries and heart disease. Rheumatoid arthritis patients tend to have high homocysteine levels, which, point to inflammation. A simple inexpensive homocysteine blood test indicates inflammation. Make sure you get this test next time you see your doctor. A change in diet, stress reduction, or vitamin therapy can all reverse it. Every time you have your cholesterol checked, tell your doctor to check your homocysteine. You need to fast for about 12 hours (nothing but water). Homocysteine levels should be 8-14 micromoles per liter, and ideally, less than 10. When you have enough betaine, vitamins B6 and B12, and folic acid – you can keep your homocysteine levels low. Green leafy vegetables are the primary source of folic acid. Folic acid may be the most important nutrient to keep your homocysteine levels low. It is also very abundant in legumes (beans). The way you cook vegetables can also either reduce or retain folic acid. When you stir fry, you seal in a number of nutrients and retain more folic acid than if you steam or boil them. Some medications and other substances block the absorption of folic acid. They include oral contraceptives, alcohol, nicotine, anticonvulsants, antibacterials, and some chemotherapy drugs. Aging is a factor in high homocysteine levels. Aim for 400-800 mcg a day if on medications or if your diet lacks folic acid. Eat at least one serving of dark-green leafy vegetables a day. Tea also contains a lot of folate. Drink a couple of cups of green tea daily. If your homocysteine is high, tea is a much better choice than coffee. B12 often becomes lower as we age. If you have digestive problems or not enough friendly bacteria like acidophilus and bifido, you are likely lacking in B12. Begin by chewing your food well. Next, consider taking enzymes and hydrochloric acid. Check with your health care practitioner about these supplements before taking them. B12 is lacking in a vegan diet. However, many vegetarians who eat eggs and dairy get sufficient B12 from their diet and a healthy digestive system. B6 helps lower homocysteine. It is found in meat and whole grains, but the amount in food may not be enough to lower your homocysteine. Consider taking a multivitamin with 25-50 mg of B6. Probiotics lower homocysteine. Take probiotics and add dietary sources of friendly bacteria like plain yogurt, sauerkraut, and miso soup.

So very sorry. :grouphug: Much of this may have already been mentioned or you may have read up on it. Unlike the “wear and tear†joint pain of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, in which the immune system attacks itself. Rheumatoid arthritis usually starts around 40 to 50 years of age. Women are 3 times more likely to develop the pain and swelling that mark this condition than men. EAT MORE Turmeric daily – excellent for rheumatoid arthritis – sprinkle on vegetables and you can add ¼ tbsp turmeric at the end of cooking almost any food. Aim to have at least ½ tsp turmeric per day. Add a dash to soups. Season meals with ginger and turmeric as often as possible Both these spices have anti-inflammatory properties. Get more omega-3s from: wild Alaskan salmon and other cold-water fish; freshly ground flaxseed; chia seeds; omega-3-fortified eggs; and walnuts. 5-9 daily servings of fresh fruits and veggies from across the color spectrum Fresh fruits and vegetables—naturally rich in antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory substances—have been found helpful for rheumatoid arthritis in numerous studies. EAT LESS Polyunsaturated vegetable oils (corn and soy oils) Partially hydrogenated oils (margarines, vegetable shortenings) Processed foods that contain these fats Fewer animal products Saturated fat Sugar Processed foods, particularly those made with grains high in gluten. SUPPLEMENTS A good probiotic Interesting new research in both animals and humans, however, points to a previously undiscovered factor in rheumatoid arthritis—bacteria. Germs in the gut of mice appear to trigger an immune response that results in this painful condition, reports the journal Immunology. When you see illnesses that seem to be inflammatory or autoimmune, flora in the gut may well be playing a role. 60% of your immune system’s receptor cells are located in the colon and another 15% in the lower part of the small intestine. Ideally, probiotics should comprise about 85% of the bacteria in the GI tract. But the rapid increase in drug-resistant pathogens—caused by feeding antibiotics to livestock and overuse of these drugs by the mainstream medical community—means that more people have much lower levels of beneficial bacteria. Today, many have beneficial bacteria counts as low as 5 per milliliter—when they need 5 billion per milliliter! Given this kind of friendly flora meltdown, a good probiotic such as Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 PLUS, 1 capsule in the morning and another on an empty stomach in the evening, is ideal. Each capsule contains a blend of 12 different strains of live lactic acid bacteria plus 10 viamins, 8 minerals, and 18 amino acids. The most crucial ingredient is E. faecelis TH10, a special strain of lactic-acid producing bacteria. Research finds that this TH10 type of probiotic may also help protect against H. pylori (implicated in ulcers), E. coli, and antibiotic-resistant superbugs. While you can get millions of colony-forming units of friendly flora from probiotic foods (like yogurt with live, active cultures), you want a probiotic product that includes organic acids, which bacteria utilize to keep the colon’s pH acidic enough to further promote the growth of good bacteria. In addition, it needs to be enteric coated to keep the billions of beneficial bacteria intact and able to survive stomach acid and bile. Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 PLUS is stable at room temperature—important if you’re traveling—and is gluten-free, non-GMO, and hypoallergenic with no preservatives. Third-party research confirms its benefits

I have The Diet Cure and have found it to be very helpful. Her other book is one that looks very good. Heard great things about it. Here's her site.

Actually, I take most of them, but not every single day. I usually don't take any supplements on weekends - to give my body a break. I do take Magnesium about 5 days a week. If I were to pick just one out of all these, that would be it. Most of us are deficient in magnesium. If depression is a problem, I would also add in St. John's Wort. If insomnia is a problem - Valerian/Melatonin/L-Tryptophan are all helpful. GABA and 5-HTP are great, but not as essential. I've never tried Bach Flower Remedies, but have heard fabulous things about it. Never tried Rhodiola either. The others I may alternate. One day, GABA Calm, another day 5-HTP, or maybe melatonin. Depends on what works for you. How you react. How sensitive your body is. My body is not that sensitive at all and can tolerate most things. Also depends on your budget. I do find alternating supplements at times, varying the dosages, and taking breaks from them help. If you do the same thing day in and day out, your body will become sort of desensitized to it. Hard to explain, but I think that the body sometimes needs a challenge. When I take a break from Valerian, for example, and then start taking it again - a break of about a month - it works far more effectively.

I started juicing veggies (and sometimes fruit, but mostly veggies) more than 16 years ago. There have been times in my life where I've been neglectful - pregnancy, etc. But every time that I've juiced, I've always felt so much better. Looked better also :D. My parents do the same as well. Helps them immensely. I juice veggies any morning that I can. Dh and I have veggies alone. The dc have the same along with an apple. That's it. I've never been able to go on a total juice fast. I would love to, just haven't been able to. This is my favorite juicing book. Juicing keeps most of us regular. Having at least one bowel movement a day is really important. Juicing also helps to alkalize your body and to maintain a proper pH balance. This is really the key to overall health. Oh, I'm happy. I just found an old post that I'd saved about juicing. I try to juice daily or at least as often as possible. I juice veggies for the most part, and seldom juice fruits, since they say that too much fruit juice raises insulin levels. When making juices for our children, however, I add a little bit of fruit – usually an apple. Adding an apple or some grapes is also great for those who cannot stand the taste of veggie juices and are just starting out. Any good juicing book will give great recipes as well as all the benefits of various juices. My favorite one is Juicing for Life. There are many others, but that’s the one I have and like. I like to rotate my juicing recipes and vary the vegetables. As with any food, if you keep juicing the same veggies day after day, you may develop food sensitivities to them. Variety is important. My reasons for juicing: 1. I believe that regularity of and ease with bowel movements are probably amongst the most important measures of overall health. A healthy person should preferably have at least one bowel movement per day. Also, it should not be painful, take too long, or involve straining. Bowel movements should be easy. There should be very little time for magazine reading ;)! I notice a huge difference in this area when we juice as opposed to when we don’t. 2. Juicing helps to detox the liver. The cleansing and health of the liver is essential to overall health. The liver has many important functions – mainly to clean the blood and to remove toxins and waste. 3. One of the most important measures of health is a well-balanced pH system – one that is just above neutral and slightly alkaline. Pretty much any disease and health disorder (ranging from acne, to the common cold, all the way to cancer), simply cannot survive in a system that is alkaline. Vegetable juices are great for alkalizing. A good friend of mine, who really knows her stuff about natural healing, once told me that maintaining a healthy pH balance and lymphasizing are the two best things one can do for overall health. 4. Most of us know that the more raw foods we can eat, the better. Juicing is a great way to do this. For those who reject juicing because of the lack of fiber, yes, of course fiber is essential. Most of us need even more fiber than we’re currently taking. To me, juicing is an excellent way to get even more nutrients than I would otherwise. When I see the amount of veggies that I juice, I know that it would be very, very difficult to eat all those veggies. I see juicing as an addition to a high-fiber diet. Besides, from what I understand, juicing removes mainly indigestible fiber, which your body cannot absorb anyway. The only downside of juicing is the amount of time it takes to prepare the veggies and to clean the juicer. The latter really and truly can be an absolute pain! But the benefits of juicing far outweigh this. After juicing, you should drink it within a few minutes, or the enzymes will be destroyed from exposure to air. Within 20 minutes the enzymes are all oxidized.

EXERCISE is key Do something that you enjoy - even if you don't, once you get into a routine (say after 6 weeks, you'll see amazing benefits). Whatever you choose, it will help. I’m convinced that if my dad didn't exercise, he would never be so upbeat. That and prayer. When my Dad gets frustrated or upset, he goes out for a walk or a swim. I'm not as disciplined as he is. But he's an example to me. Exercise will calm you down, lift your mood and help with depression. People who exercise for 30 minutes 3 times a week see mood improvements similar to those who take the antidepressant Zoloft. Many yoga poses and the regular practice of yoga help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Take a walk for well-being – walking or just being outdoors helps greatly with depression and anxiety OTHER TIPS Vanilla is calming and boosts serotonin levels in the brain. Just like comfort food, vanilla can bring us back to a place of security and peace. Burn a vanilla-scented candle or inhale the aroma of vanilla beans. Lavender contains linalool, a substance that blocks the stress response in the body and relaxes the muscles. Perfect if you have neck and shoulder pains Add 6 drops of lavender essential oil to your moisturizing lotion. COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY I've heard great things about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.htm MINOR DEPRESSION VERSUS MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (MDD) Minor depression is a transient and time-limited condition. Feeling blue from time to time, usually in response to a stressful or traumatic life situation – such as: a painful divorce, a scary medical diagnosis, or the loss of a job But if your blues last longer than a few weeks, or if they occur outside the context of a major life change, you may have MDD.

NUTRITION Amino acids help the body produce neurotransmitters that affect your mood. The body uses the amino acid L-tryptophan to make serotonin and the amino acid L-tyrosine to make norephinephrine. Amino acids are found in turkey, cheese, chicken, fish, beans, almonds, avocados, bananas, and pumpkins seeds. Zinc is required by the brain in order to produce GABA, a compound that eases anxiety and irritability. Zinc is found in oysters, crab, turkey, lentils, barley, yogurt, and pumpkinseeds. Look for foods that are high in the amino acid tryptophan. This amino acid may help mitigate insomnia and depression by boosting serotonin and melatonin levels in the brain. Whole grains – Fiber-rich foods such as brown rice, oats, and quinoa Sunflower Seeds Fruit – Bananas, mangoes, figs, and dates Tuna, turkey, whole grain crackers, yogurt

The Bach Flower Remedies represent a form of psychotherapy in a bottle, a noninvasive modality to address negative emotional states like: • Anxiety • Depression • Impatience A Welsh homeopath, Dr. Edward Bach recognized in the 1920s that, if herbs have healing powers, so must flowers. Over many years, he experimented with numerous flowers and trees to create a total of 38 plant-based Bach Flower Remedies. Bach Rescue Remedy is used in many emergency rooms to help alleviate trauma. Centuary is useful for boundary issues, especially for people who give too much of themselves Impatiens is good for irritability and short tempers. Oak is for those determined types who struggle on (despite setbacks) through adversity or illness. Rock water can ease tension for those who tend to be hard on themselves. Rhodiola rosea is an excellent addition to any stress-reduction program – along with exercise, daily meditation, prayer, more rest, a healthy diet, and specific supplements • Increases energy • Alleviates depression • Helps with weight loss • Relieves mental and physical fatigue • Stimulates brain chemical production – norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin – which all help you think and feel better • Improves sleep • Improves mental alertness • Improves short-term memory • Enhances weight loss The amount of Rhodiola you need to take is not critical. High or low amounts of this her both work. Not all Rhodiola supplements are equally effective. Any Rhodiola you buy should be standardized extract and say Rhodiola roesa on the label. Nature’s Way Planetary Formulas HerbPharm Melatonin is a natural hormone that promotes sound sleep. Acts as an antioxidant - early in life, the body produces an abundant supply, but as we age, production steadily declines Helpful for more difficult insomnia Cleans the toxins and free radicals from cells Helps protect cells from DNA damage Designed to prevent toxins from entering your brain Has been shown especially effective at preventing free radical damage to cell membranes (one of the prime targets of EMFs from cell phones etc) If melatonin is taken in the evenings, tumor growth may be slowed Decreases anxiety by stimulating GABA (a brain chemical that calms you down) Supports your immune system by regenerating your thymus gland – the center of immune function In one study, breast cancer cells were dosed with the same amount of melatonin you’d find in a young, human body. Growth of these cancer cells was blocked by 75%. At the very least, this suggests that melatonin could be an important hormone in protecting against breast cancer. Melatonin has been used in high amounts – 20-40 mg – to protect against cancer. Helps thyroid gland produce T3 Protects your bones Helps body use zinc: a mineral needed to lower stress and increase appetite Slows down graying hair WHY WE NEED MELATONIN When we stay up late at night or work night shifts, we keep our body from producing melatonin. This increases the risk of hypertension, heart disease, migraines, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Studies show women night-shift workers have a 500% higher risk of breast cancer and male night shift workers have a 50% increased risk of colorectal and bone cancer. While not realizing it, many people increase this risk with inconsistent sleep/wake schedules - late night studying or partying or shift work schedules. After the age of 45, melatonin levels decrease. Melatonin is the only hormone supplement that’s safe to self-medicate. GUIDELINES • Start with 1 mg just before bedtime. Take 2 hours or less before bedtime. If this is not effective, gradually increase dosage. Melatonin dosages vary from individual to individual ~ and most do not need the highest dose. Ease into melatonin in increments. Some take up to 20 and even 40 mg. • Do not take melatonin every single night – a few nights a week • Do not take melatonin during the day. • When you awaken after melatonin-assisted sleep, you should feel refreshed – not tired or groggy. If you do experience grogginess, reduce the dosage. • Do not give to children • If you wake up in the middle of the night, you can take another 1-5 mg. NATURAL SOURCES Walnuts Fiber-rich foods such as brown rice, oats, and quinoa Cherries—when tart—and their juice

GABA CALM – take sublingually before bedtime or a few hours before sleeping 100-500 mg daily Try to avoid eating or drinking anything for 20 minutes before and after taking this YOU LACK GABA IF YOU: • Frequently experience back pain or muscle tension • Worry excessively • Often feel nervous, jumpy, or anxious • Sleep problems • Stress-related physical symptoms: headaches, IBS, and muscle aches • Elevated cortisol levels which can lead to belly fat • Are an emotional eater GABA is the brain’s natural calming agent. • Helps de-stress • Relaxes muscles • Suppresses cravings and helps curb emotional eating. • Anti-depressant • Helpful for day-to-day anxiety 5-HTP Helps with: • Sleep problems – quality and duration • Emotional eating and evening cravings – helps suppress appetite • Anxiety and depression as it increases serotonin levels • Melatonin production • Serotonin production Best if taken sublingually - opening the capsule and pouring the contents on your tongue. Try to avoid eating or drinking anything for 20 minutes before and after taking it. No more than about 3 capsules a day – can safely take up to 400 mg per day – although most need less. Loses its efficacy if taken every single day – best if you take breaks – sometimes alternating days – and sometimes take a break for an entire month or so It may take 1-2 weeks to notice any effects and up to 6 weeks to notice the full benefits. Be cautious about taking this if you’re on anti-depressants L-TRYPTOPHAN may help mitigate insomnia and depression by boosting serotonin and melatonin levels in the brain May help cure night-time waking 500-1000 mg before bed Vitamin B12 converts amino acids to those all-important brain transmitters, serotonin and norephinephrine. Vitamin B12 helps the body make SAM-e as well, a compound that’s involved in optimal neurotransmitter production and function. Low levels of SAM-e can lead to depression. The sublingual or time-release form is the best absorbed Doses of 500-1000 mcg are the usual recommendation Oral vitamin B12 isn't well absorbed; you may need up to 1 or 2 mg daily. Ask your doctor about B12 shots or doses you can take under the tongue. Zinc is required by the brain in order to produce GABA, a compound that eases anxiety and irritability. 25-50 mg per day DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN 100 mg Use zinc gluconate lozenges or OptiZinc for best absorption According to a study, women who took a daily zinc supplement in addition to a multivitamin for 10 weeks experienced significantly less anger and depression than those who took only a multivitamin. Valerian is used in Chinese medicine for insomnia. This herb promotes relaxation and curbs anxiety. Take 400 to 800 mg in divided doses throughout the day.

Shelly, sorry you're going through this. :grouphug: Good for you for not wanting to go on meds. I've only had time to read some of the replies. Sorry if I'm repeating what others have said already. Here's some info I have. As someone else mentioned - or maybe it was more than one person - if you have a spiritual outlet, wonderful. I find that that helps me immensely. Positive Thinking Every Day by Norman Vincent Peale - great book Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl – if I could, I would give a copy of this to almost every friend and acquaintance - my all-time favorite self-help book Some other books that may be of help. Have not read these, but have heard very good things about them. The Anxiety Book: Developing Strength in the Face of Fear by Jonathan R. T. Davidson, Henry Dreher The Worry Cure: Seven Steps to Stop Worry from Stopping You Natural Prozac by Joe C. Robertson SUPPLEMENTS I always believe in a healthy diet first and foremost. Supplements come after. I've tried and taken most of these. Not all. I don't take supplements every single day. I usually like to give myself a break 1-2 days a week. I also take a break from certain supplements for a month or so at a time. The body, otherwise, becomes overly efficient and the supplement, I find, is not as effective, as when I take a break from it. Vitacost.com and amazon are both great for supplements. Good prices and helpful reviews. St. John’s Wort – 300-1000 mg To raise serotonin levels Help relieve chronic insomnia Help relieve mild depression – especially if you’re healthy and not taking other medications. Because this herb can sensitize the skin to sunlight, take it in the evening after the sun has set. Magnesium – depression and anxiety are symptoms of a magnesium deficiency Magnesium is crucial for the synthesis of serotonin and other neurotransmitters. Magnesium is usually lacking in those with depression. In fact, one study reported “rapid recovery from major depression” after treatment with magnesium, and found that magnesium helped relieve the anxiety and insomnia often associated with depression. Many women have an undiagnosed magnesium deficiency ,which can contribute to anxiety. Some say to take equal amounts of calcium and magnesium. For most people on a healthy diet, 500 mg of each supplement should be enough. If you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency (and most of us do!) – if you’re feeling edgy, have muscle cramps, suffer insomnia, crave chocolate, or notice increased urination, adjust your calcium-magnesium ratio, so that you’re taking at least as much magnesium or—ideally—twice as much magnesium as calcium. 400-1200 mg daily of Magnesium is helpful but use according to bowel tolerance. Your body knows how much magnesium you can tolerate from bowel tolerance – take as much magnesium as your bowels can tolerate If you can, add 100 mg of magnesium to your nutritional supplements, and increase it by 100 mg every few days until your stools are soft, but not uncomfortably loose. Take in divided doses and with meals to ensure optimal absorption – preferably more at night Some say to not take magnesium with calcium - I think that that is preferable. Calcium, magnesium, and many other minerals are best absorbed when they are bound to an acidic carrier such as citrate, aspartate, picolinate, or amino acid chelate. Minerals need an acidic base to break down and get used. The most absorbable forms are magnesium citrate, glycinate taurate, or aspartate, although magnesium bound to Kreb cycle chelates (malate, succinate, fumarate) are also good. Avoid magnesium carbonate, oxide, sulfate, and gluconate. They are poorly absorbed (and the cheapest and most common forms found in supplements). Side effects from too much magnesium include diarrhea, which can be avoided if you switch to magnesium glycinate. People with kidney disease or severe heart disease should take magnesium only under a doctor's supervision.

Thanks so much. Just did it. :D

I LOVE their catalog. :D About once a year, I go through pretty much their entire catalog and start marking things off.

This and pretty much all that has been said already. I don't know as much as I would like to know about herbal remedies. I know a bit. But my knowledge is more scattered and all over the place. I really like Gillian McKeith's books. But these and other approaches that I follow and read up on are more on nutrition and supplements. Not so much just herbal. I love and believe in acupuncture. Where is Peela when we need her? :D She knows much, much more than me. This is a book I really would like to get. No, not just for cancer, but possibly for prevention as well. I'm very interested in Ayurveda (not exactly herbal). I don't feel very qualified to give much input here - since you asked for herbal. Everyone has posted great suggestions. Hoping to bump this so others can share also. :)

I think you have me. I'm still trying to learn the layout and ins and outs of it. Haven't had much time. I'm frustrated at the "2011 Reading Challenge" part. It doesn't seem to allow me to input the books I've read in 2011, even though I have a 2011 Bookshelf. Annoying. Or maybe it's just me. I need to spend more time there figuring things out. Been too busy. On a similar note, my own personal goal from here on out, which is more realistic for me, is 26 Books per year. It's very rare for me to finish a book in a week. Plus, I read other stuff - National Geographic, etc. 26 books for me is more do-able. :)

So happy for you. :grouphug: I love Emerita. :D I take a break from it from time to time. I find that most products work better that way. I also don't use it on weekends.

So very, very happy for you :grouphug:. I've been reading all/most your posts about this. I can fully relate since my dh will be going through the same exact two tests next week and we're both very worried. Him, much more.

Side, but I wish, wish, wish that I could sleep on my back.

Thanks, Susan. :) I've ordered from Meridian before. I'm on the lookout for any good company with some really great special offers. :) Fil is visiting soon and I want to place an order. I'd like to start another round right after Christmas or so. Can't wait! :D If you load, load, load, and load some more - on healthy fats - and if you read up on it - and snack on sliced cucumbers, you should be fine. I had the same exact worries. People think that hcg is a fad diet. I don't think it is. If done correctly, it's a lifestyle change. If one goes through with P3 and P4.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - anything made by A&E/BBC is superb. If I could, I would give this to all my friends :D. There are many others made by A&E/Romance one.

I see that the OP has posted "nt". I know what "nm" means (never mind), but does "nt" mean no thanks? :confused:

Some of these are about losing grandparents. Now One Foot, Now the Other – de Paola [losing grandfather] Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs – Tomie de Paola [losing grandparent] Preparing the Children – Kathy Nussbaum [losing grandparent] Badger’s Parting Gifts – Susan Varley Annie and the Old One – Miles Heaven – Shriver Betty Doll – Polaccio The Hickory Chair – Frastino The Cozy Book – Mary Ann Hoberman [helps children deal with fear, change, hurt, etc] [Ages 3-9] Saying Goodbye to Grandma – June Thomas Marianne’s Grandmother – Bettina Egger

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: Some links and additional info - far too much info ;): http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/27/earlyshow/health/main5269114.shtml Someone here, I think, posted this: There’s a Gary Taubes video where he talks about how when we increase our exercise, our appetites naturally increase to adjust. Conversely, when we reduce our caloric intake, our bodies naturally reduce their energy output to adjust. The video is long, but definitely worth watching! He describes (in general layman's terms) the biochemistry of how weight gain and loss occurs, and it's very valuable information. There’s a Gary Taubes video where he talks about how when we increase our exercise, our appetites naturally increase to adjust. Conversely, when we reduce our caloric intake, our bodies naturally reduce their energy output to adjust. The video is long, but definitely worth watching! He describes (in general layman's terms) the biochemistry of how weight gain and loss occurs, and it's very valuable information. http://webcast.berkeley.edu/event_details.php?webcastid=21216 Weight loss begins in the kitchen. I need to remember this. In order for me to lose, I need to eat MUCH, MUCH less ... which is really, really hard for me to do. :confused: If I want to maintain, I need to eat about the same or slightly less and maintain the same level of workouts. Someone here said this: "Great bodies are made in the kitchen and improved in the gym." http://www.thefactsaboutfitness.com/articles/aerobicexercise.htm http://nymag.com/news/sports/38001/ This one, I think, looks really interesting.

I finally decided to try to count the number of books I've read in 2011. I actually went back through all this year's threads. :D Seems like I'm on book #32, not including all the read-alouds I do with my dc.