Q.
Would you have any solution to migraine headaches? - Mrs. P.I.I., Glendale, AZ
A.
The exact cause of migraine headaches seems to be unknown. But, some
research indicates that it is a basic, inherited defect, a metabolic disturbance,
that makes a person prone to migraines.
In Great Britain, research has been
done in detecting a biochemical defect
present in some migraine sufferers.
There is an alteration in the body's final
handling of certain foods which contain
tyramine, phenylethylamine, and other
amines.
Tyramine is present in cheese, wine
and citrus fruits. Phenylethylamine is
present in chocolate and alcohol (especially colored rum, rye, scotch, red
wine, beer). A migraine attack may develop up to 24 hours after ingestion of
such items. There seem to be many trigger factors which can set off a migraine
attack. Of course, not all the factors
would apply to one sufferer.
These trigger factors could be
grouped under the following headings:
Dietary; Hormonal; Stress; Weather;
Low blood sugar. Stress covers both
mental and physical strain, as well as
the stress caused by drugs, chemicalized environment, etc.
Migraine sufferers should avoid
foods mentioned above that contain the
offensive amines. The diet should be
predominantly alkaline, with emphasis
on fruits and vegetables and sprouted
seeds. Eat frequent small meals. Avoid
overeating.
Plenty of exercise in fresh air is imperative. Deep breathing exercises are
of specific importance. If constipated,
the problem should be corrected. Constipation is one of the trigger factors.
The following supplements are
suggested for daily use:
Q.
Is it okay to use fluoridated water for
tea, and/or soup, or should I switch to
mineral spring water, which I use for
drinking. - N.H., Grand Rapids,
Michigan.
A.
Fluoridated water should never be
used for making tea or soup, as fluorides are not destroyed by cooking; on
the contrary, they only become more
concentrated as water evaporates. Use
your mineral spring water for tea making and cooking.
Q.
I am a female, 53 years of age. I have
suffered with asthma for 38 years. I've
had all kinds of allergy tests. I've been
taking desensitizing shots for the past
25 years, and my condition is worse. I
can't tell you how many times I've been
rushed to the hospital. I now have an
enlarged heart, with a very rapid heartbeat. My emphysema is also a big problem. At the moment, I am taking Valium and Medrol. My question is, what
vitamins do you think I should take? As
of now, I take 10 mg. zinc, 1 dolomite
tablet, and 400 mg. of vitamin C each
day. I understand that B15 would be
great if I could get it. Between the heart
and the lungs, what vitamins can I take
that would help me? - Mrs. I.G., Pittsburgh, PA.
A.
Yes, B15 could be beneficial. It is
available from some health food stores.
Perhaps 150-200 mg. a day could be
helpful. In addition to this, up to 1,600
I.U. vitamin E (can benefit both heart
and emphysema), 3,000 to 5,000 mg.
vitamin C, and 25,000 to 50,000 Units
vitamin A every day. Other specifics for
asthma and emphysema include: manganese, 5 mg.; comfrey capsules, or tea;
mullein tea; lecithin; onion water and
honey (diluted fresh onion juice, sweetened with honey); and a calcium-magnesium supplement. Zinc intake should
be 30 mg.
Although I am very much against
continuous drugging with Valium and
Prednisolon (a cortisone-like drug, of
which Medrol is one example), I cannot
advise discontinuing abruptly such
medications as your system may have
developed dependence on them, and
would react with severe withdrawal
symptoms. The withdrawal must be
done gradually, and under strict doctor's supervision.
Q.
I like the idea of a liquid breakfast or
lunch. Since I consider you to be the
most reliable source of factual nutrition
information, would you please give me
your version of a perfect breakfast
drink. - B.B., Pasadena, CA.
A.
For people on the go (as many are
these days), a liquid breakfast, made
quickly in your blender, may be the answer to being sure of getting adequate
nutrition in spite of a busy life style.
Here is my version of a liquid breakfast:
Place all ingredients in blender, and
run on high until mixture is smooth approximately 15 seconds. Add more
milk if needed.
Makes one large glass of super-nutritious and rejuvenating drink. In my Optimum Diet, this shake can be used as a
replacement for either breakfast or
lunch. You can take your regular vitamin supplements with it.
Q.
I have just come home from the
hospital where, for two weeks, I was
treated for severe "obstipation" as the
doctors called it. I am a 64-year-old
woman, and have had constipation all
of my life, and as I am getting older, it
seems to get worse. Of course, I was given all X-rays and tests to see if there was
any obstruction or any medical problem, but all tests were normal.
After trying many various laxatives,
the only thing they found that would
work was a liquid called Lactulose which tastes like syrup! This, along
with a herbal laxative seems to be what
I have to stay with to get any relief. I
I have tried bulk diets, to no avail, and it
seems to me there must be some kind of
enzyme or something missing from my
system to cause such a problem.
I would be most grateful if you would
discuss this and give me any suggestions
as to how I might change my diet, or
treat this nutritionally. - M.H.C.,
Magee, Miss.
A.
Although lactulose and herbal laxatives will help temporarily, they are not
the final answer, because they do not
solve the basic causes of your problem.
As reported previously in the "Forum", here is a simple, harmless, and effective 9-point anti-constipation program, in a nutshell:
Q.
In the September issue of Let's LIVE,
I read in your "Forum" a letter from a
63-year-old gentleman who said he was
"over the hill". I am an 81-year-old
woman, have four healthy, married
children, 11 grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. My husband is 83, and
has seemingly completely recovered
from a sudden attack of prostatitis during our first and only plane trip three
years ago. Now he is well, cuts a good
sized yard, has no pain anywhere, but
has never wanted marital relations since.
I miss the sexual relationship. Even
though I have arthritis in my knees, I
enjoy life to the fullest, and wish to
know what I can do for him. could it be
fear? - Mrs. F.L.R., Daytona Beach,
Fla.
A.
Although there are some men in their
80's who do continue with sexual activity, in our culture they are in the minority. I hope that you can be happy enjoying a few more years with a husband
even if he has lost his interest in sex. His
loss of libido is more likely related to
the prostate problems, although psychological factors such as fear of failure, or
fear of causing physical harm to himself, may be involved.
Sexual energy is closely tied in with
the total health level, and the general
energy level. Perhaps you can improve
your husband's libido by giving him specific foods, supplements, vitamins, and
herbs, as suggested in the section on Impotence in my book, How To Get Well
(available from health food stores).
Dear Dr. Airola:
In the December 1975 issue of Let's
LIVE, you mentioned, among other
things, the importance of rubbing the
gums with Vitamin E liquid as a treatment for pyorrhea. I began doing this
about 6 months ago, and my periodontist was very surprised at the results. All
he could say was "just keep on doing
whatever it is you are doing!" - S.S., Los Angeles, CA.
I received the following letter, which I
pass on to my readers:
Dear Dr. Airola:
Why don't we read more about the
therapeutic value of and research into
the use of pectin for arthritis. I was released from years of nagging aches in
my knee after starting to use pectin 20
years ago. I continue to take it when I
feel it is needed. No more aches! No aspirins! No hot pads or rubs! No side effects! Just relief. It has done wonders
for me. - Mrs. Hazel O. Brekke, Albee,
S. Dak. 57210
Perhaps interested readers can write to
Mrs. Brekke for more particulars on
taking pectin. The above address is
complete.
Migraine Headaches
Tea Water
Asthma - Emphysema
Breakfast Drink
Airola Shake
Grind sesame or flax seeds together
with bran, rice, polishings, or wheat
germ in an electric seed grinder, which
every family should own (it is sold in
most health food stores for approximately $12.00). If you use wheat germ,
make sure it is 100% fresh, non-rancid.
Constipation
Remember: it is the combination of
exercise and proper diet that will do the
job, not just one or the other.
Wants Sex at 81
E For Gums
Pectin For Arthritis