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By David Sandoval Founder and formulator of Platinum Health Products What is Addiction? Addiction is any physiological or psychological dependence that negatively impacts a person’s life. Addiction often results in chronic disease and disruption of interpersonal family and work relationships. Although addiction is most commonly used to term chemical dependency on cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine and drugs, a person can be addicted to many forms of behavior including gambling, over-eating, sex, and acts of recklessness. Addiction is difficult to eliminate because the body adapts to accept addictive substances as permanent components of its chemical make-up. In cases where addictive substances become necessary components of the body chemistry, painful withdrawal symptoms manifest when the substances are withheld. Causes of Addiction: Ø A genetic predisposition to addiction is usually present. As a result, even when stabilized, an addict must closely monitor the addictive substance throughout his or her lifetime. Ø Biochemical imbalances: addictive personalities may lack the natural stimulants and relaxants the brain uses to maintain the body, which may result in the brain sending wrong or garbled messages. Addictive individuals may seek alternatives to natural mood enhancers through the artificial stimulus of addictive substances. Ø Personality dynamics – dependency, anger, mania, depression or introversion Ø Social or cultural pressure to use or consume addictive substances Ø Dysfunctional family life Facts you should know: Ø Less than 15 to 20 percent of the addictive population, once sober, remain “clean” Ø Alcoholics have double the usual death rate in men, triple in women; a 10 – 12 year decrease in life expectancy; six times the suicide rate. Ø Drug addiction, including alcoholism, inflicts metabolic damage on every cell in the body. Signs and Symptoms:
Treatment and Prevention: Research has shown that drugs and other addictive activities create chemical vacuum tubes or pathways to the brain that must be filled. When empty, the craving or suction begins. Certain foods with phyto chemically satisfying compounds can act to fill those pathways, dramatically reducing the body’s desire for addictive consumption or activity. 1). Diet Ø Adopt a diet of biochemical restoration, designed to reverse symptoms of addiction by changing the body’s chemistry and nutrient deficiency through dietary intervention Ø Most addictive individuals have problems processing sugar and carbohydrates. A hypoglycemic diet that stabilizes blood sugar levels is critical to successful treatment. Ø Eliminate all simple sugars (foods that contain added sucrose, fructose, or glucose), fruit juice dried fruit, and low-fiber fruits (such as grapes and citrus fruits) Ø Limit consumption of processed carbohydrates (products made from refined flour, instant potatoes, white rice, etc.). Instead, emphasize consumption of complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables, and beans. Ø Eat several small meals throughout the day with snacks in between meals instead of two or three big meals. Focus on consuming complex carbohydrates with protein rich foods and health promoting fats such as those found in cold water fish (like salmon and tuna), nuts and seeds, flaxseed oil, olive oil and coconut oil. 2). Nutritional Supplements Ø Green Juices like Organic Barley Green Juice and Organic Kamut Blend help with detoxification and contains magnesium, a cofactor in many enzyme systems involved in blood sugar control. Take 3 – 5 servings per day. Ø Apothe-Cherry naturally contains melatonin, which may help regulate sleep patterns. Take 2 tablespoons prior to bed. Ø Spirulina acts as natural source of general essential vitamins and minerals. Spirulina provides a foundation of nutritional support. Megavitamin therapy is commonly cited as one of the most vital tools for replenishing vitamin deficiency. Approximately 50% of all addicts are vitamin deficient. . Take 10 – 20 capsules or 2 Tbsp in a green drink daily. Ø Flax Advantage – contains linoleic acid, which can stimulate brain function. Take ½ cup of fresh flaxseeds ground daily. Ø Rice Bran Solubles – aids in stabilizing the erratic blood sugar seen in alcoholic hypoglycemia and contains vitamin E and tocotrienonols. Take 2 tablespoons daily. Ø Aktivated Barley is a slow burning carbohydrate that may help normalize blood sugar. Take 1 tablespoon daily. Ø Mater Amino Complex makes complete protein available to the body within 22 minuets and provides 99% assimilabe protein to help provide amino acids to the brain, muscles and tissue. Take 1 tablet for every 50 lbs of body weight twice a day. Ø Zinc – a key nutrient in the breakdown of alchohol, zinc is typically deficient in alcoholics Ø Vitamin A – vitamin A deficiency works with zinc deficiency to produce major complications for substance abusers including night blindness, hormonal disturbances, poor immune function, cirrhosis, decreased testicular function, and skin disorders. Caution: a damaged liver loses much of its ability to store vitamin A, so an alcoholic who shows evidence of impaired liver function is at high risk for vitamin A toxicity. Consult a physician to determine if vitamin A supplementation is appropriate. Ø C From Nature has naturally occurring vitamin C. Substance abusers are typically deficient in key antioxidants including vitamin C. Take 3-9 capsules daily. Ø Aloe Vera 40 x contains unique polysaccharides that have been shown to be beneficial in blood glucose control and can assist in the body’s ability to heal internal organs. Take 20 drops daily diluted in water. 3). Herbs Ø Milk thistle – contains some of the most powerful liver protective substances known that also stimulate the growth of new cells. The liver is one of the organs most damaged by substance abuse. Recommendations:
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