Mother Nature’s secret weapon
Your best defense against threats from within – viruses, bacteria, chemicals, parasites, fungi, tumors, etc. (it’s a jungle in there) is a well-armed immune system.
One of the most important weapons this special force has for your defense comes from a sweet and natural source – mother’s milk! The substance, called lactoferrin, is an enzyme that kills biological invaders by denying them iron. In other words, it induces an iron deficiency anemia in the invaders.
Mother’s milk, known as colostrum, has a very high concentration of lactoferrin. This remarkable chemical acts as a defensive shield for the baby against all microscopic invaders. This milk is the only source of lactoferrin available to the newborn baby. It is not available in artificial formula and probably never will be – at least in our lifetimes.
But lactoferrin is not just for babies. It’s an important nutrient that you need for your survival, at any age. When you contract an infection, there is a rapid rise in the lactoferrin content of the blood. For example, if you contract a sore throat, white blood cells race to the scene and start firing lactoferrin-containing granules that bind up all the iron at the scene of conflict, causing a rapidly induced iron deficiency anemia that neutralizes the bacteria.
Bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and other pathogens that require iron to grow will not be able to survive if lactoferrin binds iron in your blood and keeps it away from those cells.
Of course, your body needs a certain amount of iron for good health. While lactoferrin makes iron unavailable to harmful intestinal bacteria or cancer cells, it also has the unique ability to transport iron to areas where it is needed. This amazing molecule can fight against infectious agents selectively while allowing important cells, such as the immune cells, to have the amount of iron needed to fight the good fight: It’s one of those great mysteries of life.
While healthy, take one 100-milligram capsule twice daily to bolster your immune system. At the first sign of an infection, double the dose. If you’re recovering from cancer, you can take up to 1,500 milligrams a day without fear of side effects. (This may seem like an extreme amount, but keep in mind that large quantities of lactoferrin are well-tolerated and easily processed by newborn babies.)
Since lactoferrin is a natural substance, large pharmaceutical companies aren’t able to patent it and make millions. But it is available from a number of sources, including some health food stores.
Run towards the light!
Rosacea is a skin disease characterized by redness of the face, tiny but easily visible blood vessels, and superficial zits. The flushing can be brought about by emotion, heat, spicy foods, hot drinks, or alcohol and tends to get worse rather than better with time. It may even become permanent. It is much more common in women, but, paradoxically, when men do get it, the condition is usually worse than the average female case.
Eye complications are a potential, and very important, concern in cases of rosacea. Cornea problems, eyelid inflammation, iritis (inflammation of the colored portion of the eyeball), and swollen and infected eyelids may occur.
Conventional treatment has not always been successful, but a new procedure, called “Intense Pulsed Light” therapy (IPL), also known as PhotoFacial, shows great promise. The treatment is relatively painless, requires no hospitalization, and has no significant side effects. In Chapter 41 of the textbook Lasers in Aesthetic Surgery, the doctors conclude: “PhotoFacial provides superior cosmetic results. Specifically, the treatment offers relief from the redness and flushing of rosacea”
This treatment, I am convinced, is a winner. In addition to its effectiveness in treating rosacea, it also improves many other skin conditions, such as irregular pigmentation caused by the sun, fine lines and wrinkles brought on by aging, and dark circles under the eyes.
For treatment, I suggest you contact the Institute for Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Los Gatos, California at (408)356-2154. They can refer you to a qualified doctor in your area.
