Lowlands Farm

For most people, that bottle of vinegar sitting on the pantry shelf serves a multitude of purposes. Not only is it a condiment, food preservative, and a general household cleaner, but for many, it’s a medicinal wonder. Most often, it’s taken for granted, and people only see a bottle of vinegar. However, to scientists studying the origins of life on Earth, acetic acid/vinegar, is thought to have played the key role in biochemical development of the first primitive life forms, and without it, life, as we know it wouldn't exist. 

Historical documentation of vinegar’s use for dye making, medicinal purposes, invigorating tonics, a condiment, and as a food preservative dates back to the earliest known records.  

Natural vinegar is produced by the secondary fermentation of the alcohol in wine and is a three to five percent solution of acetic acid in water. Acetic acid is what gives vinegar its distinctive biting taste and aroma. It was probably the first commercially produced acid in the world.  

Acetic acid in fundamental to our existence, not only from a essential biological standpoint, but also in the production of chemicals, light industry, textiles, pharmaceuticals, printing/dyeing, rubber, pesticides, plastics, photographic chemicals, electronics, and food processing to name a few.  

In nature, a family of bacteria called acetobacter converts alcohol into acetic acid, and they're the single largest producer of acetic acid to keep Earth’s the life machine running. 

The microscopic, acid resistant critters are pervasive in the environment. They thrive in the alcoholic ecological niches of flowers, fruits, water, soil, and in a dormant stage, they’re even floating around in the air we breathe. Acetobacter also thrive in the intestines of all living creatures where they're essential to the digestive process and most likely, the major suppliers of acetate to keep our system functioning.

According to the widely accepted Wächtershäuser’s theory on how primitive life forms evolved from the primordial soup, the first organic molecule in the chain of events was acetic acid. He based his theory on the fact that the formation of acetic acid is a primary step in metabolism in most all living things that provides the energy cells use to manufacture all the biological ingredients an organism needs to exist.

There is a metabolic activity essential to life called acetylation, and among many other roles the process has in the body, it also plays the key role in the repair of DNA. A study published in the 2000 Elsevier publication Cell about DNA repair states: “Data show that cells defective for DNA-break repair capability lack the histone acetylase [acetylation] activity leading to apoptotic machinery breakdown.” 

Acetate hemodialysis is a common therapy for people suffering with kidney failure. In several studies, aside from acetate’s buffering effect, it has shown to aid in dialysis by dilating veins, thus increasing the effectiveness of the treatment. One 1987 study on stated: “Acetate provoked vascular dilatation, which was compensated for by a heart rate-dependent increase in cardiac index.” 

Acetic acid is fundamental to the biochemistry of almost all forms of life. It’s the foundation for the acetyl/acetate group which is a plays the essential in the Krebs Cycle/Citric Acid cycle. The Krebs Cycle occurs in all plants and animals. The importance of the function lies in the efficiency with which it captures energy released from nutrient molecules and stores it in a usable form.

In humans and animals, functioning of the Krebs cycle relies on a product produced in our system called Acetyl Coenzyme A created during the synthesis of fatty acids.  

Another acetate-based enzyme called Acetyl Cholinesterase/AchE is integral to the operation of brain functions and the central nervous system.  

In fact, there are a number of acetyl-based enzymes that are essential to human/animal life down to the chemical composition of genes.

Curiously, when it comes to explaining where the acetate comes from to feed the processes, scientists’ explanations seem to be somewhat vague, convoluted, and often, contradictory. However, aside from the metabolic production of acetate by organ functions, large amounts of acetic acid is produced by acetobacter in the intestines which is absorbed into the system; and it would logically appear that that process provides most of the acetate needed.

In a 1985 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Carbohydrate fermentation in the human colon and its relation to acetate concentrations in venous blood, the authors’ state: “These studies show that the large intestine makes an important contribution to blood acetate levels in man and that fermentation may influence metabolic processes well beyond the wall of this organ.”

Several studies suggest that there may be such a thing as an acetate deficiency, and acetate supplementation may be useful in the treatment of Canavan disease, a hereditary, neurodegenerative disorder.

In folk medicine, apple cider vinegar is touted as a cure for many health problems such as a host of allergies, sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and gout.   While apple cider vinegar is the traditional choice, the only ingredient of any volume that may have an effect at the dosage recommended (one – two tablespoons a day) is acetic acid.

As far as cider vinegar’s effectiveness for alleviating gout and arthritis symptoms, the anecdotal (testimonial) evidence is overwhelming. And some studies give credence to the claim; however, they all point to the acetic acid content.

The interesting aspect of the cider vinegar is that unlike the parent apple for which, possibly, is the most well researched fruit, there is no research to be about cider vinegar or even plain of vinegar as having any health benefits.

To an investigative writer, in light of all the abundant health claims made for cider vinegar, the paucity of research, especially to disprove the claims, evokes a great deal of suspicion – the unmistakable aroma of a rat rotting somewhere in the woodwork. It’s most unusual not to see volumes of scientific studies into a product that is so entrenched in folk medicine.

Both the parochial scientists and naturopaths fail to see the possibility of acetate deficiencies. Maybe, it’s simply a question of ‘not seeing the forest for the for the [apple] trees.’ However, the role of acetate in animal health has been well researched in animal husbandry, and farm animal feedstock is routinely supplemented with either vinegar or acetic acid.

However, when realizing that primordial formation of acetic acid is postulated to be responsible for the creation of the first life on earth, and the essential function acetate plays in biochemistry, there has to be something special about vinegar.

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George Glasser -
About the Author:

George Glasser is a UK based writer. He is mainly noted, internationally, for his investigative environmental journalism on water quality issues.

In 2001, Glasser won the prestigious “Project Censored Award” for the expose’ “Is Your Bathtub a Toxic Dump?” published in Earth Island Journal. Presently, Glasser is broadening his scope to write on other health issues.

Written by Chicagohealers.com practitioner Dr. Elizabeth Laskonis, ND, MH, CNC, CNHP -

What are parasites?

A parasite is an organism that lives in or on another organism, at the expense of the host organism. Parasites living inside the human body will feed off our cells, our energy, off the food we eat, even off the supplements we take. There are many varieties of parasites. They fall into several categories. Here are some common parasites: Amoebas, Arthopods, Bacterias and Nano-Bacterias, Flat Worms, Flukes, Fungi, Mildew, Molds and Slime Molds, Microzymas, Mycoplasmas, Nematodes, Pin Worms, Prions, Protozoas, Round Worms, Somatodes, Spirochetes, Tapeworms, Viruses, and Yeast. Some are only visible under a microscope. Some can be passed in the stool and be quite large. Parasites produce thousands of eggs, and have several life stages, ranging from three to twenty four.

Here is a brief description of a few of the known types of parasites:

Arthropods are six to eight legged creatures, such as lice, bedbugs, mites, ticks, and fly larvae.

Bacteria can be present in almost anything. Here are some examples: Shigella species are frequently in pasteurized milk and cause intestinal, muscle and joint problems. Salmonella species are frequently in pasteurized milk and raw eggs and poultry, and cause food poisoning.

E-Coli can also be found in foods. Staphylococcus epidermidis is very difficult to kill and causes sinus and skin infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae often causes ear, sinus, throat, and bronchial infections. Borellia burgdorferi causes Lyme’s Disease. It spends part of its cycle inside the nerve cells. There are also two different species of bacterias that are called nano-bacterias and Spirochetes.

Flukes are leaf shaped, thin worms with a bilaterally symmetrical body and hooks or cup shaped suckers. They have both male and female organs in each individual. They have a simple digestive tract and complex life cycles with two or more hosts, usually one of which is a mollusk. Some examples are: Fasiolopsis buski, Fasciola hepatica, Eurytrema pancreaticum.

Fungi is multi cellular- with long filaments/spores, that can live on the skin, under nails and inside tumors and tissues. Ringworm is a fungus of the skin. There is also mildew, molds and slime molds.

Microzymas can be formed by the body from other types of parasites, or caught from others as a microzyma. They can also morph into cysts, tumors and foreign cells.

Morgons can be caught as a morgon or can become a morgon from being morphed from other types of parasites. They can produce a threadlike fiber that can sometimes come out through the skin. There is a disease called Morgellon’s Disease, associated with this type of parasite.

Mycoplasmas are a crystalline bacterial toxin associated with the Brucella bacterium. They are sometimes found in chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Gulf War illness, AIDS, and related diseases. It can be delivered via insects, aerosol, the food chain, or caught from contact with other infected persons.

Prions are an incorrectly folded protein that are treated as a parasite because of the damage they do. They can get into the cells and cause holes in the brain. This is the leading cause of Alzheimer’s and Mad Cow diseases.

Protozoas are a single cell animal and have very complex life cycles. Some examples are:

Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis species, and Giardia lamblia. There are also three other types of protozoas called Amoebas, Nematodes and Somatodes.

Viruses and Warts – Viruses can cause serious illness. Adenovirus causes the common cold. Respiratory syncytial virus causes respiratory problems. Influenza virus causes flu. There are many other types of viruses. Warts are colonies of several species of viruses.

Worms can be several types of worms, such as Flat, Pin, Round, Thread. Roundworms are elongated, cylindrical worms with well developed digestive tracts. Most species are free living but a large number of species parasitize humans, animals, and plants. In humans, there are both intestinal and tissue inhabiting species. Some species are thorny-headed worms, equipped with hooks to help attach itself to the intestinal wall. Their digestive tract is absent. Some examples are: Ascaris lumbricoides, Pinworm, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Trichinella spiralis.

Tapeworms have an elongated ribbon-like body, with a specialized attachment organ called a scolex on the anterior end. They contain both male and female organs. They have no digestive tract and attach themselves to the inside of the small intestine, or other organs, and absorb nutrients directly into their bodies. Immature tapeworms invade tissues and encyst themselves there. Most require at least two hosts. Some examples are: Diphyllobothrium latum, Echinococcus granulosus, taenia solium.

Tongue Worms can be anywhere in the body, not just the tongue. They are so named for their shape like a tongue, not because they're in the tongue. They are serious and can also cause many problems. They can also morph into other types of parasites.

Yeasts are species of single cells that divide, and parasitize humans. Candida albacans is one of many species.

Other – there are also many other types of parasites that man does NOT know about. We can actually muscle test a person to see if he has “other” parasites that we can’t identify. We can then give the correct herbs to kill them.

Parasites can be transferred from one individual to another by direct contact between the host and a potential host, by cysts or eggs, which can live for some time outside the host before infecting a second host. Some are carried by an arthropod vector, which may itself be a host, if the parasite develops within it. Many have complex life cycles, requiring two or more species of hosts to complete their cycles.

Parasites can be ingested through the mouth, inhaled through the nose, or by skin contact. They can also be transmitted via body fluids. Insects and animals can also transmit them to humans.

Common sources of parasites are contaminated soil, fruits, vegetables, raw or rare meats, pets, mosquitos and flys, feces, polluted water, and contact with another person who is infected.

Factors that contribute to the growing parasite epidemic include the widespread use of drugs that suppress our immune systems. An imbalance of good to bad bacteria in the colon is also a contributing factor. Some other factors include wide use of antibiotics, eating refined carbohydrates, steroid drugs, X-rays and radiation therapy, chlorinated water, stress, low fiber diet, pollution, poor digestions and elimination, and mercury toxicity from dental fillings.

The increase in world travel by tourists, armed forces and immigrants spreads every possible parasite everywhere. The increase in synthetic toxins within the body is changing the life cycles of some species making many parasitology textbooks inadequate. Our changes in lifestyles have increased the spread of parasites all over the world. Increased use of nurseries and other child care facilities increase exposure. Increased eating in restaurants contributes to less control over parasite contamination. Increased consumption of ethnic foods exposes us to a wider variety of species. Increased world travel exposes more people to a wide variety of species for which they have no natural immunity. Increased levels of stress in modern day living lowers our immunity. Increased sexual promiscuity and homosexuality increases exposure. And certain modern medical practices increase the probability of parasitic infection by compromising the patient’s natural immune defenses. Examples are surgery, blood transfusions, incubation, and prolonged hospitalization.

Today it's apparent that 98% of all diseases are caused by parasites and/or toxins. They can affect tissue anywhere in the body. Because they can get into the blood and travel to any organ, parasites cause problems that are not often recognized as parasite-related. For example, a roundworm infestation in the stomach can give the appearance of a peptic ulcer. And chronic Giardia lamblia can be an undetected element in both candidiasis and chronic fatigue syndrome. It's not only the parasites that can cause damage to the body, but also the waste they excrete. These waste products poison the body, forcing the organs to work overtime. Processing these wastes also stresses the immune system. As the detox mechanism becomes overwhelmed, nutritional reserves are depleted and the immune system weakens, resulting in disease development.

Some symptoms caused by parasites:

Hair loss and scalp rashes
Mental confusion and poor learning ability such as ADD and ADHD or hyperactivity
Memory loss, forgetfulness or chronic depression
Mutiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s Disease
Bi-Polar Disease (same as Manic Depressive Disease)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Sleeping problems
Nutrient deficiencies and anemia
Headaches or migraine headaches
Loss of coordination, seizures, general weakness or lack of energy
Loss of hearing or itchy ears
Cloudy or distorted vision, blindness and crossed eyes, floaters and double vision
Skin rashes, Psoriasis, jaundice, or itchy skin
Loss of balance
Horseness, coughing and loss of voice
Over or under active thyroid
Lowered immunity or immune system problems
Chronic lung infections, or breathing difficulty
Rapid or irregular heartbeat, Mitral Valve prolapse
Excessive hiccupping or coughing
Pains in the abdomen, neck, shoulder, back, or inflamed joints
Painful or weak muscles, loss of motor skills, numbness or tremors
Loss of appetite
Poor digestion, bloating and gas, indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation, irritable bowel syndrome
Malnutrition due to poor absorption
Cancers
Ulcers
Crohn’s disease
Hiatal hernia
Acid reflux, heartburn
Weight loss or gain, eating more than normal, but not gaining weight or still being hungry
Teeth grinding or clenching
Hemorrhoids or rectal itching
Swelling in legs or feet
Hypoglycemia
Prostate problems
Frequent or difficult urination, incontinence, burning or itching, or bedwetting or chronic uninary tract infections
Painful intercourse, poor sperm count and viability, infertility
PMS, period problems, menopausal problems, miscarriage, endometriosis
Unexplained fevers
Blood clots
Bone pain or deformity
Chronic infections
Tumor formation
Excessive nose picking or itchiness
Allergies
Chronic yeast infections
Chronic fungus infections of toenails and/or fingernails

These are but a few of the problems that can be associated with parasites. Most health care providers, whether allopathic or natural, tend to miss a large percentage of parasitic infestations and end up merely treating the symptoms the parasites cause. No one is immune from parasitic infection. Every living thing on earth is subject to parasites every day.

Doctors usually use a stool analysis or a blood analysis to detect parasites. However, they can be very difficult to detect since they tend to hide in various parts of the body. There are no specific tests for certain kinds of parasites. Tests are only available for 40 to 50 types of the more than thousands that can live in your body. Thus, a negative lab test is no assurance that a person doesn't have parasites. The most reliable test is kinesiology or muscle testing, but only if done very specifically by someone who knows how to detect them. And then there is no assurance that some may have been missed, because they like to hide. But, it's better to detect what you can and treat them, than to don'thing at all.

In treating parasites, the natural health community has come up with several steps:
1.Identify what types and species you have
2.Dissolve the cysts and tumors they create, and open the cells they're hiding in to be able to kill them.
3.Kill the parasites, with both a “zapper” and the use of herbs.
4.Clean up their toxins.
5.Rebuild the tissues.
6.Realign the energy fields to help prevent further problems.

How can you avoid parasitic infections? Since total avoidance is impossible, you can help yourself by following these instructions as well as you can:

Avoid eating raw fruit and vegetables that have not been thoroughly washed.
Avoid eating all meats that are not thoroughly cooked.
Avoid eating meats cooked in a microwave. The temperature varies from one place to another inside the food, and it doesn't reliably kill parasites.
Precook poultry before cooking it on a grill.
Avoid eating in restaurants as much as you can.
Don’t keep animals in your house. If you must have a pet, keep it outdoors.
Don’t let animals lick your skin or kiss you.
Keep all pets and farm animals wormed with weekly or daily doses of herbal formulations. De-wormers given by veterinarians are inadequate since the pet will get re-contaminated as soon as it goes outside.
Don’t wear other people’s clothing, especially if they have Psoriasis or eczema. Such clothing likely contains Strongyloides worm eggs, which hatch on contact with skin.
Drink only safe water and milk. (Zap it if it's not pure)
Always wash hands after going to the bathroom and before eating or food preparation.
Avoid breathing dusty or moldy air.
Make sure all household members are parasite free so you don’t keep transferring parasites to each other.
Make sure all dishes are either washed in a dishwasher or scalded with very hot water.
Keep all open food packages, including bread, in the refrigerator.
Store bread in a paper bag instead of plastic, to delay the growth of mold.
Keep your fingers away from your nose and mouth.
Use a clean dish cloth daily – cook it in the microwave before using.
When new symptoms appear, recheck for parasites. Kill them before they do extensive damage.
Lastly, but the most important of all, is to keep your immune system up to par. If your immune system is in top shape, when you do get them, your body can then get rid of them, instead of giving them a chance to dig in and cause disease for you.

If you suspect parasites may be the cause of your ailments, you should contact a Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in Parasitology. They will have the correct information and protocols to make sure that you get the ideal treatment options. Everyone is different, and may need a different type of recommendation for getting rid of their particular parasites. It's not enough to just go to the local health food store, buy a two week cleanse, and think that you have destroyed all the parasites you may have. Sometimes it takes weeks or months to destroy certain parasites, depending on what you have, how long you have had it, and your general health.

ChicagoHealers.com mission is the education and advocacy of natural medicine and a holistic lifestyle.

 

Please give credit to the original author when republishing all or part of any article.  Also, kindly link back to www.ChicagoHealers.com

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Charlotte Kerver -
About the Author:

Aritcle – http://www.chicagohealers.com/articles-library/holistic-health/#parasites 

Dr. Elizabeth Laskonis, ND, MH, CNC, CNHP – http://www.chicagohealers.com/naturopath-medicine-homeopathy-herbs/naturopath-medicine-homeopathy-herbsdr-elizabeth-laskonis-lee/ 

ChicagoHealers.com mission is the education and advocacy of natural medicine and a holistic lifestyle. http://www.chicagohealers.com

Land is the new way America is investing. It has become quite lucrative because it's able to withstand the shocks of the economy. Where stocks have performed poorly and when stock exchanges have gone downwards, land has always remained a strong investment avenue. The reason for this trend has been simple – land has many uses and it doesn't cost much to maintain.

The new trend in land owner and acquisition is recreation. Now more and more people are owning land for recreational purposes. They want to be able to use the land for their personal fishing, hiking or hunting. In other cases, they'd want to develop waterfront properties and then offer them for sake or rent them out. Still more, others would want to set up ranches and then earn income from the agricultural operations or just live in them.

Many have bought land for solely agricultural uses. Some have used it for orchards, crop farms and even livestock. The interest in the soaring prices of wine makes land in the rural, warm areas get so much value as the cultivation grapes could earn one so much in money.

It has also become a past time for people to raise timberlands. They would either buy land with existing timber or they soul plant trees to sell later. Timber is a great forest product in the rural areas for the reason that it's the primary input for the building of log homes. The timber produced by the forests is sold to builders who use it to build cabin houses.

You may want to know that land use has changed drastically over the years. No more is the majority of land put to agricultural use. Nowadays many are put to recreational use. It's believed that recreational properties fetch 5 times more come than agricultural land. For this reason, many land owners and investors are devoting their land to recreational use.

The resale value of the land has also increased. Now as land becomes much needed for recreation, so will the price. Selling off land you bought some few years ago could reap you so much in profits. In a good area you may be able to get twice as much as you bought it.

If you're looking to buy or develop hunting property, you may want to try Michigan. In this state you may want to go to the Upper Peninsula where you can be able to get scenic land for your property. This region abounds in great wildlife. You can have deers, elk and quails. They make an excellent opportunity for anyone to put up recreational facilities that will cater to hunters, anglers and hikers.

The place has lots of trails and wood which could serve as the perfect location for someone interested in outdoor sports.

If you intend to buy hunting land in this area, you may want to lease with the local authorities to determine the zoning requirements. You will have to know about what use you can put the land. Many of these places also have their one and conservation policies. You will want to know about these in order that you'll stay within the law as you develop your property.

Another area you may want to buy land is eastern Texas. This area is a preferred destination for many vacationers who want to partake of the beauty of the rural land and then partake of its pleasures. They will want to visit ranches and see cowboys rear cattle. They will want to see large tracts of farmland. Hunting especially is most appropriate in eastern Texas. You can hunt for almost all kinds of wildlife. The warm region provided a good place for most animals.

Buying a hunting ground can earn you a lot of money over the years. You would want to situate your land near a place that has water bodies so you can be able to count on continued support for the wildlife there.

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Jan Burmistroff -
About the Author:

Jan writes for New York land.