Michael Jackson - Lupus and Autoimmune Disease

King of Pop
Michael Jackson
1958 – 2009




"Gone Too Soon"....that is one of my favorite Michael Jackson songs and now it has been appropriately sang for him.
I was affected deeply and shocked by Michael's sudden death and my heart goes out to his family, friends and fans all over the world.
It came as a big surprise to many that
Michael Jackson suffered from the autoimmune disease Lupus.
As a fan of his music and someone who defended his uniqueness for decades I'm glad the truth is coming out and Michael's being vindicated. He deserves that!

As the story unfolds we learn Michael Jackson wore the famous sequined white glove to hide the early stages of his skin disease Vitiligo. Larry King interviewed Michael Jackson's dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein who stated; “Jackson's particular case was bad because it affected his entire body, but it was Michael’s face and hands that were difficult to treat."
Dr. Deepak Chopra told PEOPLE that his longtime friend Michael Jackson suffered from Lupus a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body including the skin.
Sadly autoimmune diseases are gravely misunderstood and people are generally berated and criticized who have them. People do not understand why symptoms come and go so a person may be considered lazy or faking it. The symptoms are chronic and include various types of pain which can vary widely from one flare to the next.

Researching for this post I learned that Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis often have "Overlap Syndrome."
Connective tissue diseases are a family of closely related disorders which include: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Polymyositis-Dermatomyositis, Systemic Sclerosis, Sjogren's Syndrome and various forms of vasculitis. When you have one or more of these diseases it's called an 'overlap.'

Michael hid his illness from the world but maybe the media coverage will enlighten people to autoimmune disease; and more compassion will be shown for those who suffer chronic pain.
Video: Michael Jackson in video clips discussing Vitiligo > http://mj.magnify.net/video/Michael-Jackson-Vitiligo-clips




Tribute to Michael Jackson

"Gone To Soon"

Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=101iXwPTNE0

Recommended read: "The Autoimmune Epidemic"
by Donna Jackson Nakazawa.
The book sheds light on why there is an increase in autoimmune diseases in developed countries.

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-tv

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheumatoid_arthritis

Good Health to You!

Sandy Guerriere

Autoimmune Disease: "A Body Gone Haywire"

Primarily our immune system protects us from disease.
Ideally, antibodies, which are part of the immune system, recognize and destroy infections like bacteria and viruses so we don't get sick. To do this successfully our body must be able to distinguish between "self" and "non-self" ...in other words bacteria and viruses.

When our "body goes haywire" autoimmune diseases occur.
The body misinterprets "self" as "non-self" resulting in the destruction of its own cells.

Scientists say immune system diseases appear when multiple genes work together to make an individual vulnerable and ultimately a trigger occurs that disrupts proper functioning of the immune system.
The trigger could be an infection, medication, or environmental exposure. To date triggers remain unknown.

Autoimmune disease "family members" include: Multiple Sclerosis, Psoriasis and Lupus.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disease resulting in inflammation that attacks and affects multiple parts of the body including skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs as well as any other parts not exclaimed.

It's of interest that two-thirds of people with rheumatoid arthritis are women. As with other autoimmune diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis is thought to be be caused by a combination of genetics risks possibly triggered by infections or exposure to an unknown substance in a person's environment.

I highly recommend reading the book, "The Autoimmune Epidemic" by Donna Jackson Nakazawa. The book sheds light on why there's an increase in autoimmune diseases in developed countries.

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-tv

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheumatoid_arthritis

Good Health to You!

Sandy Guerriere

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Spice Up Your Life to Fight Inflammation and Pain

Many readers have recently asked for a list of *spices and *herbs that I use to help me with inflammation and pain.

There are several staples in my daily diet that have helped me. This is only a partial list, you may know of others that have helped you. If so, I'd love to hear about them.

Turmeric – It’s main active ingredient curcumin is good for inflammation but research shows it’s also good in fighting many diseases. In India this colorful spice is known as 'Holy Powder' and has been used for centuries in treating infections, wounds, and other health problems. Recent research has shown it’s a wonderful antioxidant, antiviral, anti-cancer, antibiotic, and is being used by health care practitioners for relief of congestion, Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and other conditions.

Black Pepper - Black pepper is one of the most commonly used spices and I use pepper with every meal and lots of it. I prefer peppercorns and like it coursely ground. Black pepper is known to improve digestion by stimulating the taste buds and thereby alerting the stomach to increase hydrochloric secretion. It’s also an antioxidant, and has antibacterial effects. The outer layer of the peppercorn helps stimulate the breakdown of fat cells,....good news for us who struggle with our weight!

Cinnamon - Cinnamon with it's healthy dose of manganese also helps eliminate and prevent the clumping of blood platelets. Did you know the scent of cinnamon can boost brain function, yes, smelling cinnamon can improve your memory. These days who doesn’t need that? It also helps stop the growth of bacteria and for people with type 2 diabetes researchers claim cinnamon can help them respond to insulin and thereby normalize their blood sugar levels. I love cinnamon toast and it's sometimes my bedtime treat with a tiny bit of honey and butter. Yum! It puts me right to sleep.

Cayenne - Benefits of cayenne pepper are endless it seems. It fights inflammation, prevents stomach ulcers, boosts immunity, offers pain relief, has cardiovascular benefits, and helps clear congestion. No matter what ails you a dose of cayenne will help you out and it’s full of vitamin A. I use Cayenne pepper every day, from eggs at breakfast to my bean salad at lunch or stir-fry for dinner. I love the flakes too, especially in soups or on pizza.

Ginger - I drink fresh ginger tea often especially in a flare and researchers support the fact it gives relief to those who suffer chronic inflammation like Rheumatoid Arthritis. In one study +75 percent of those participating reported relief from both pain and swelling. Dosage will depend on your condition and advice from your health care practitioner. I use fresh slices of ginger to hot water and let seep for about 5 minutes in my coffee pot, pour and add organic honey to taste. It's good for an upset stomach or digestive disorders too.

Licorice - This can works in the body like cortisone without harmful side-effects.

Parsley - I use parsley in my morning juice. It’s added in with carrots, celery, garlic clove and beet slices. Parsley is effective in flushing uric acid from the tissues to ease pain in our joints. I use one handful per juicing. I never cook parsley, it's a garnish for my meals added as a topper.

Whatever *spice or *herb tickles your fancy enjoy them everyday.

'Spice Up Your Life'..enjoy the health benefits and lessen pain from inflammation.
You may also enjoy my post on the benefits of Garlic.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - Immune Support with Raw Garlic

'Good Health to You'

Helpful link:
http://heartspring.net/anti_inflammation_herbs.html

*Consult your Health Care Practitioner before adding spice or herbs to your diet while taking medications since interactions can occur.

Dealing With Isolation and Unpredictable RA Flares

This past Sunday the weather was beautiful so I was able to lay out on my deck and soak up some much needed sunshine.

As I bask in the sun I began to think how alone I feel lately, kind of isolated. True, when you can't do much being alone comes with the territory. Thankfully I'm more of an introvert which helps me deal better than someone who loves to be with people.

I've been chatting with fellow sufferers and researching how RA [with it's unpredictable flares] distances us from others eventually; worse yet, it can distance us from those we need most, our family and closest friends.
The truth is, sooner or later people get tired of inviting us places because we don't show up! Right? Maybe that has happened to you?

Unfortunately when we are in a flare we need to rest, we can't push ourselves or it will make things worse.
The longer we're chronically ill the more isolated we can become. This can and does defeat all the good effort on our part to stay healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Personally I've found it helpful to reach out to others who share a chronic illness even if that support is in the form of an email or visiting with new friends on a Social Media site like Twitter, StumbleUpon or Facebook.
I enjoy meeting people from around the world and sharing. Recently I joined a new local Social Media site, Wilmington's 3rd Street Plaza.

Getting involved in anything you enjoy alone can help.
Whatever you enjoy doing alone practice expanding that interest.
There are also times we may need support professionally especially if loneliness becomes as chronic as our disease. Isolation can cause depression.

Despite various treatments RA remains unpredictable.
How often and how acute the flare-up depends on the individual. We each respond differently to stressors as we do to therapies.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is not a 'Cookie-Cutter' disease, you and I are unique.
Control over this disease is limited and challenging, it requires we continuously adapt to our disease state.

Please keep doing "positive" things for yourself. Do whatever helps you cope within your means and limitations.

Never give in to self pity. Keep hope alive and know that tomorrow is another day, and even if you only make it to your deck,...enjoy the Sunshine.


"Good Health to You"



Worthy read:

The Autoimmune Epidemic: Bodies Gone Haywire In a World Out of Balance
by Donna Jackson Nakazawa

Photo by SandyGuerriere
SandyGuerriere - Twitter
artistrybysandy - StumbleUpon
Sandy's page - Wilmington's 3rd Street Plaza

Listen To Your Body

After researching nutrition and alternative health care for the past 20 years I've witnessed a 'common theme' which shows up in many studies.
It's of great importance that we listen to the warning signals our bodies try to give us before chronic disease can plan it's disastrous assault.

A good example of listening to our body comes from animals.
Have you ever noticed your dog or cat sniffing around the yard or garden and when it finds a certain green plant and eats it shortly afterwards they will vomit?
Yes, animals instinctively sense when a toxin or micro-organism intruder has invaded their body, and they will look to nature for just the right plant to provide a cure. (for instance chlorophyll or whatever is in the plant)

Modern medicine has failed in many ways to tap into preventative practices such as lifestyle changes, foods and herbs that can help support health to prevent medical conditions and disease.
In fact, there are a lot of negative statistics associated with conventional medical care.
Researchers state that more people die due to medical mistakes, reactions to prescription drugs, infections in hospitals than those who died of heart disease each year!

Bottom line, we need to become pro-active and responsible for our health and medical decisions along with finding a compassionate, qualified health care practitioner.

It's important we find out how our body functions, and what it needs in order for us to have optimal health.
Rememeber too, we are unique as individuals; what works for one person may not work for another. There's no room for 'cookie cutter' health care!

Most of us desire a long healthy life, and since we weren't handed an 'owner’s manual' it's up to us to take charge and research for answers to our medical conditions.

'Listen To Your Body'...what's yours telling you?

'Good Health to You'


Excellant read:
Extraordinary Healing
by Art Brownstein M.D.

photo - www.jimdowningphotography.com

Immune Support with Raw Garlic

Garlic! Stinky to some and delicious to others. But, the wonders of garlic are numerous, not only a powerful natural therapeutic herb but it's a strong-flavored seasoning for food. Garlic also helps lower cholesterol and high blood pressure and may help prevent heart attacks by reducing blood clotting.

Since Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers usually have infections more often than the general public, "raw garlic" can help them get over these sooner and may actually reduce inflammation in the body.
Garlic is a potent antibiotic and it's especially active against fungal infections and has "immune-stimulating" properties with antibacterial and antiviral effects.

How great is that?! Personally I use garlic everyday; from my a.m. juicing, as an addition to stir-fry or in salad dressing.

My children say I smell like a 'garlic bulb' sometimes but I say, "there's worse smells around"...and I happen to love the smell.

Interestingly enough, the compound principally responsible for garlic's disease-fighting ability (and pungent smell) is allicin, also found in lesser amounts in onions and other white vegetables. (I love onions too and use them everyday as well.)

Use garlic often, and remember allicin is formed from an inactive precursor compound only after garlic is mashed or chopped and exposed to air for at least a few minutes. (I suggest using organic grown garlic when possible.)

Have a glass of Red wine while you wait with a piece of fruit or unbleached unbromated bread...

"Good Health to You!"

*Consult your Health Care Practitioner before adding spice or herbs to your diet while taking medications since interactions can occur.


Side effects, helpful information or questions:

http://wiki.medpedia.com/Garlic
http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Crushed-Garlic-Has-Health-Benefits-18347-1/
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=60
http://www.soul-guidance.com/health/garlic.htm

Red Wine Fights Inflammation

*Red Wine fights inflammation, the diet-inflammation connection has been established. This is good news for those of us who suffer from autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Studies show drinking a glass of *Red Wine daily along with changes in our diet and lifestyle slow down aging, support a healthy immune system, and decrease chronic inflammation significantly.

Chronic inflammation is caused by many factors including genetics, environment and lifestyle but recent studies prove a connection with diet.
The Western diet promotes inflammation, obesity and has largely contributed to the health crisis we face today.

Red wine and a host of other antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dark chocolate, green tea, and turmeric are a *'line of defense' against inflammation.
In a recent study published in May 2008 (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) it states, "by selecting foods based on total antioxidant capacity it has a 'marked effect' on decreasing inflammatory markers."

Choose Organic *Red Wine to limit pesticide residue.
Green living trends give us great wines from Organic farms and introduce a variety of wines at affordable prices. You can find many at your local supermarket. One of my favorites is a Pinot Noir from California for $13.00. But, I also enjoy many Italian and French wines. We are individuals so our tastes will vary.

*'Line of Defense' - Decrease inflammation when cooking by using a variety of spices and herbs like fresh ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, red pepper, raw onions and garlic.
Add raw garlic last to retain nutritional value.

"Good Health To You"

* I need to point out if you're taking medications used in convenitonal medicine, many of these drug therapies conflict with my natural approach to treating autoimmune disease.

Please consult your healthcare professional before the use of alcohol including red wine.




www.jimdowningphotography.com - photo by Jim Downing