Did you know…
DIVING REFLEX AND THE VAGUS NERVE – Huh?!
The diving reflex is an automatic physiological reaction that helps the body conserve oxygen during submersion in water.
Here’s the gist: splashing cold water on your face activates the trigeminal nerve. How does this help? – Read on.
- Blood and oxygen are redirected to the heart, and the vagus nerve is activated.
- Heart rate slows.
- Blood is redirected to vital organs.
- The blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity increases, giving a temporary boost to oxygen supply and helping you stay alert, energized, and resilient during physical stress and low-oxygen situations.
Why do we need to know this? The cold water face splash relieves stress, modulates panic attacks, and soothes mental distress of any kind.
Activating the diving reflex can be helpful as a simple noninvasive technique to interrupt certain types of fast heart rhythms, including paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, an abnormal heart rhythm in which a short circuit in the heart’s upper chamber causes a rapid, regular heartbeat that starts and stops suddenly. Full article HERE.
MORE BAD NEWS ABOUT ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
For years we’ve known about the severe neurological effects caused by artificial sweeteners.
A new study reports that aspartame, a widely used sugar substitute found in diet drinks, chewing gum, and low-sugar yogurt, may elevate insulin levels, potentially increasing the long-term risk of a long list of serious health conditions.
Overproduction of insulin creates a vicious cycle leading to chronic weight gain (particularly abdominal), intense sugar cravings, and fatigue. Long-term consequences include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, PCOS, fatty liver, and increased cardiovascular disease risk. More information HERE.
MICROPLASTICS AND CANCER
Microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5mm) originate from two main sources: the fragmentation of larger plastic items (like vehicle tires), and the direct release of small particles from personal care items and foods and water stored in plastic.
Microplastics are harmful because they accumulate in human tissues and marine ecosystems, leaching toxic chemicals like BPA and phthalates, while acting as vectors for pathogens.
They cause inflammation, oxidative damage, and cellular disruption, with potential links to infertility, immune dysfunction, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Now, a new study reports on microplastic particles found in cancer tumors. Coincidence or cause? More information HERE.
INTRAVENOUS VITAMIN C AND CANCER – THE EVIDENCE IS MOUNTING
Two of the greatest frustrations my cancer patients and I experience are (1) how little conventional oncologists know about integrated approaches to cancer, and (2) how little they care.
For years, the NIH (National Institutes of Health), one of America’s most conservative medical bodies, has published articles on how intravenous vitamin C helps combat cancer three ways: (1) by killing cancer cells, (2) by helping conventional chemotherapy work better, and (3) by lessening chemo side effects.
THIS article aspires to stimulate further research into intravenous vitamin C’s potential to help cancer patients.
THERE ARE SOLUTIONS TO THE MICROPLASTICS PROBLEM
Microplastics are in the news nowadays.
Microplastics are omnipresent in our environment and in our bodies – but who can tell us how to avoid them, and how to eliminate them?
A Tarleton State University study used groundwater, fresh water, and sea water to identify a surprising solution.
The research team compared the ability of extracts of okra, fenugreek, and okra and fenugreek together to remove microplastics and other pollutants such as heavy metals from water sources.
Fenugreek won out for removing microplastics from fresh water, with okra working best in sea water, and they both beat out the commercial chemical polyacrylamide.
One gram of plant extract per liter of water did the job in about an hour. As a bonus, other toxins were removed as well!
See Dr. Mercola’s review of the research HERE. And on PubMed HERE.
MORINGA SEED WATER PURIFICATION
We first learned of Moringa’s multiple uses when we toured ECHO Global Farm in North Ft. Myers Florida years ago.
One impressive demonstration revealed how Moringa seeds purify water.
Moringa is now in the news for its ability to bind with microplastics, as well as with dirt and bacteria. For a scientific explanation of how this happens, go HERE. (Or go HERE for a simpler explanation.)
We grow Moringa in our orchard on Hawaii’s Big Island, and we’ve used the powdered leaves in salads and as a high protein condiment supplement.
Our next step might be using it to remove microplastics from our drinking water.
Drs. Connie (Ruhia) and Marcel (Mahavir) Hernandez
836 W. El Camino Real
Mountain View, CA 94040
DrConnie@DrsHernandez.com
DrMarcel@DrsHernandez.com
650-282-5176 (voice)
(leave us a message)
650-447-2622 (fax)