So I've cancelled my MRI appointment and will now faithfully taking this product daily. Oh and by the way, I did some independent research on the product. The product does have powerful anti-oxidant properties. As we've discussed previously, inflammation is the cause of many diseases that we currently treat. I was one of the principle investigators for the Jupiter trial which showed that HS-CRP is an important marker for coronary artery disease. I had to personally contact Dr. Paul Ridker to participate in that study, but I am so glad that I did. That study had to be stopped early due to ethical concerns because the treatment group had significantly fewer cardiac events because they had lower HS-CRP's. The statin in that study was one of the first "Super statins" Crestor. I became a speaker for Astra-Zeneca based on my participation in that study. If you can get me some data showing this product to lower HS-CRP some of my colleagues would probably be interested as well. We have many patients that can't take a statin or won't take a statin.

When I was medical director for Radiant Research in Eugene, we studied several medicines that had anti-inflammatory properties for a wide variety of conditions. The upside potential for a nutritional product with anti-inflammatroy properties is huge. I've already talked to my brother who wants to get started on this product and he never gets excited about anything. Thanks again for sharing this product and if you would like me to speak to a small group of people about this product please let me know. I just want to let you be the first one to know that I intend to make the most of this unique opportunity and replace my income as the Chief Hospitalist for Salem Hospital within the next two years. Please let me know when you get the information on reductions of HS-CRP.

See you on the golf course!!!

Mark Walker, DO

Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases

We are a people on fire!

Less than a hundred years ago the common health challenges we faced were infections. With the discovery of pathogenic bacteria and the advent of proper hygiene, death from these problems became less common. Inflammation has become the new epicenter of disease, disability and death.

Inflammation and the immune system Our immune system uses heat to destroy invading bacteria. A specialized cell called a macrophage douses the invader with inflammatory enzymes (like acids) and the heat generated in this battle destroys the invading bacteria.

Sometimes our own healthy cells become the focus for disease. This often happens because of toxic exposure. When we eat, drink or breathe a toxin, or if it is absorbed through our skin, our detoxification system works to remove it before the poison can compromise our health. Unfortunately, many of today’s poisons are simply too strong and they overwhelm our detoxification system and enter healthy cells. These cells now become the target of disease, infection and inflammation. Our immune system must treat them as hostile and use heat to destroy them.

Autoimmune diseases arise when our immune system becomes so overworked that it can no longer tell the difference between healthy cells and sick cells. It attacks all cells of a particular type equally. This body system is never able to heal and chronic inflammation sets in.

The weakest link A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. You are only as healthy as your weakest body system. How robust you are depends mostly on lifestyle choices, somewhat on your environment and a little on your genetics.

When a toxin overwhelms your detoxification process it will likely settle in your weakest system. The immune system melts these polluted cells in an effort to save healthy cells. This is acute inflammation. With chronic toxicity comes the opportunity for chronic inflammation. In the case of chronic inflammation, the immune system attacks any sick cell as well as any healthy cell that looks like the sick one. If the immune system attacks connective tissue we say a person has lupus. If it attacks the beta cells of the pancreas we say they have type 1 diabetes. If it attacks the joints we say they have rheumatoid arthritis.

These are only a few of the more than 200 autoimmune diseases. Yet they all share one common attribute: inflammation.

Putting the fire out Inflammation arises because of: Toxins Injuries Emotional distress Nutrient deficiency We simply must reduce our toxic exposure to reduce the chances of developing an autoimmune disorder. And we must also develop emotional coping strategies and have all of the nutrients we need in our body in the right quantity – every moment of every day. These are the first steps to reducing inflammation.

We can directly douse the fire with anti-inflammatory Betalains such as those found in TriVita's Nopalea. A Betalain is a protein-antioxidant complex found in certain plants grown in hot climates. The hotter the climate, the more Betalains the plant needs to survive and the more we can benefit.

Nutrient strategies According to most authorities, everyone needs to be taking a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement every day. This is even more important for people trying to tame their immune system in an autoimmune flare-up. We also need to eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and take Omega EFA supplements. These fats not only reduce inflammation but they also make your immune system work smarter, not harder. Antioxidants are critical to putting out the fire of inflammation. Betalain “protein-antioxidants” are extremely powerful anti-inflammatory nutrients. Finally, Vitamin B-12 and adaptogens form a bulwark against the blues and physical stress.

We are a nation on fire. This is at the heart of the near epidemic of autoimmune disorders we are facing. Strategies of nutrients and nurturing will help us fight inflammation and help us with what we do best: heal!

The Science Behind Nopalea: Video Click Here