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Detox with Chelation Therapy — Help Your Heart & Brain

The AHA! Team — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 05:25:41 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Chelation therapy is considered an alternative medicine that has the purpose of removing “heavy metals” and toxins from the body. Why would someone experience heavy metal toxicity in the first place? Although it might sound like something only tied to rare circumstances of accidental poisoning, heavy metals are more common than you think. If you have mercury fillings in your teeth (or amalgam fillings), have been vaccinated to prevent various diseases, eat farm-raised fish regularly, consume foods that are grown in foreign countries (like China) that aren’t certified organic, or are healing from radiation and chemotherapy treatments, you’re likely experiencing heavy metal toxicity right now to some degree. Chelation therapy involves a chemical solution called EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), which is administered into the body — usually directly injected into the bloodstream — so it can bind with excess minerals. Once bound to “toxins” in the body, EDTA helps detox the body of heavy metals by removing them before imbalances and illnesses have the chance to develop. What is chelation therapy good for? First developed and used in the 1950s for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning, chelation therapy using EDTA is now performed to remove common heavy metals, including lead, mercury, copper, iron, arsenic, aluminum and calcium. While still a controversial practice in mainstream medicine and one that requires more research for us to fully understand how it works, studies show that chelation therapy has potential for reducing the risk of heightened inflammation, heart disease, infections and more. A National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 111,000 adults 18 years or older had used chelation therapy as a form of complementary medicine between the years 2006–2007. (1) Since the popularity of chelation therapy has grown since this time and more health care professionals are being trained in this practice, it’s safe to say that this number is steadily rising. How Chelation Therapy Works Many people who have used chelation therapy regularly feel that it helps them remain more energetic and immune to common illnesses, environmental toxins and stress. Studies show that chelation is scientifically proven to rid the body of excess or toxic metals, especially certain kinds like lead or mercury that can lead to poisoning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of chelation therapy with EDTA for treating lead poisoning and continues to investigate its potential and safety as a new drug for reducing coronary heart disease symptoms. (1) What is EDTA? EDTA is a type of man-made synthetic amino acid. As an alternative, some practictioners also use another substance in EDTA’s place called DMPS (2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid), which works similarly. EDTA chelation therapy works by binding salts to molecules in the blood once EDTA is administered into someone’s veins. After EDTA attaches to heavy metals, together they both move to the kidneys where their elimination from the body occurs through urine. It’s possible that “chelating agents” like EDTA and DMPS can help detoxify the body of toxic elements that contribute to many types of chronic diseases. Chelating agents have specific bonds that form between organic molecules and metals. This gives them the ability to “bind” to metals that build up in the blood, major organs and blood vessels. Some chelating agents, including peptides like glutathione and metallothionein, have been well-researched and proven to transport and excrete toxins from the body, all without the need for expensive surgeries and risky medications. One of the biggest chelation therapy benefits is its ability to help control levels of various environmental metals in the body. Metals, including lead, mercury, aluminum and arsenic, can cause short- and long-term health consequences since they impact functions of the central nervous, cardiovascular, immune and skeletal systems. When the body is out of homeostasis due to experiencing imbalances in minerals, malfunction and damage to vital organs can develop. Some of the most symptoms of heavy metal toxicity include: Chronic fatigue syndrome Trouble learning and remembering new information “Brain fog” and trouble concentrating Autoimmune diseases Neurological disorders and cognitive decline Joint or muscle pain Mood changes, including depression and anxiety 5 Benefits of Chelation Therapy 1. Might Help Improve Heart Health Although ongoing research is still underway, some alternative health care providers use chelation therapy to help treat coronary heart diseases, including atherosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the arteries that can potentially lead to a heart attack or stroke). Why do some provides use chelation therapy for heart disease? EDTA binds with calcium within the arteries, helping to reduce plaque build-up and deposits that can cut off blood flow. (2) Once bound to calcium, EDTA can help carry the molecules out of arteries so circulation improves. In a similar way, EDTA might help control high inflammation and cholesterol levels, which also pose a risk for heart disease. In the future, we might see chelation therapy used a less risky and more affordable alternative to heart surgery and complicated mediations that have many side effects. 2. Acts Like an Antioxidant EDTA might act similarly to antioxidants by reducing inflammation, fighting free radical damage and removing metals that cause the foundation of chronic disease development. It’s been suggested that EDTA binds to not only calcium within arteries, but also other metals stored within bones, muscles and bodily tissues that can lead to increased inflammation or pain. The use of certain chelating agents has been shown to successfully lower the presence of plutonium radiation toxicity within the body, which is tied to increased cancer risk. (3) Uranium and radionuclide are two types of chemicals that can cause toxicity, leukemia and osteosarcoma when someone experiences long-term radiation exposure, but chelating agents, including DTPA, are able to help remove these before serious illnesses can form. 3. Lowers Pain and Swelling Since chelation therapy targets inflammation, the root of most diseases, including arthritis and many autoimmune disorders, many people report less pain from inflamed muscles, joints and bones when using EDTA. Although this theory hasn’t yet been proven in controlled scientific studies, chelation therapy might work by helping to reduce the effects of oxygen ions (also called oxidative stress) that can damage blood vessels and tissue. When inflammation causes the walls of vessels to become clogged, circulation decreases and pain grows. Chelation therapy may offer an alternative to ongoing medication treatments for chronic pain. 4. Can Help Fight Cognitive Disorders There’s evidence that chelation therapy can successfully treat cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. While the exact mechanisms in which EDTA helps resolve these problems isn’t yet clear or proven in studies, there seems to be a tie between heavy metal poisoning (or toxicity), including high levels of lead or mercury in the blood, and medical disorders that affect the brain, memory and learning. Research also shows that increased accumulation in the brain of copper, iron and zinc might be associated with a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Long-term heavy metal exposure can lead to physical, muscular and neurological degenerative changes in the brain that set the stage for not only Alzheimer’s disease, but also dementia, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. (4) 5. Helps Lower Risk for Learning Disabilities Sadly, rates of learning disabilities, ADHD symptoms and autism spectrum disorders have been on the rise in recent years, yet how exactly these conditions should be treated or prevented remains controversial in the medical community. Many practitioners are now looking to alternative treatment methods to control symptoms of cognitive disorders, including some like chelation therapy that target heavy metal poisoning. While not technically authorized to be used for treating such conditions, “off-label use” of chelation therapy might be beneficial for cognitive health due to its ability to lower circulating or stored toxic metals that interfere with brain function. (5) Going forward, we should expect to see new proven strategies using chelating agents that are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and bringing back homeostasis of minerals levels. Related: Aconite: Safe Homeopathic Remedy or Dangerous Poison? How Chelation Therapy Is Performed Chelation therapy sessions take several hours to complete and usually take place in a doctor’s office under special monitoring. Most patients need between five to 30 treatments for best results. Each treatment session involves insertion of an intravenous (IV) to administer liquid EDTA, usually into a vein located in the hand or arm. The procedure isn’t painful for most people, but like with all injections, it’s possible to feel some burning, redness or swelling at the injection site. There isn’t much recovery time needed after the procedure and most patients are free to drive themselves home and go about their normal day. Some people report needing to urinate more than usual following chelation therapy, which can be beneficial considering this is how heavy metals leave the body. How can you locate a health care provider with appropriate training to perform chelation therapy? Currently the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology (ABCMT) is responsible for training and qualifying chelation therapy practitioners. ABCMT has actually been certifying doctors in chelation therapy for over 24 years! The American College for Advancement in Medicine is another organization that offers educational training. Both hold seminars and administer examinations in order for doctors to become board-certified and approved to work with patients. Can you feel safe with a chelation therapy doctor? Most likely, yes! Chelation therapy doctors must be either D.O. or M.D. and have a license to practice in their states, complete a comprehensive course on the diagnosis and treatment of chelation therapy, obtain letters of recommendation, and conduct at least 2,000 intravenous treatments for metal toxicity as part of a preceptorship with a certified physician. You can find out more about the qualifications and seek out a trained practitioner on the American Board of Clinical Medicine Toxicology website. Is chelation therapy covered by insurance? One thing to consider is that currently most insurance companies do not cover chelation therapy. As governing health authorities continue to undergo investigations into its safety and efficacy, it’s only practiced by limited alternative practitioners, which means your regular doctor might not yet offer chelation therapy or be convinced of its benefits. How much does it cost for chelation therapy? Depending on how many treatments your practitioner recommends, chelation therapy cost for an entire course of treatment will vary by patient. Treatments typically cost between $75 and $125. Side Effects of Chelation Therapy You should only receive Chelation therapy with EDTA from a properly licensed professional due to the potential for side effects to develop in some cases. What are the side effects of chelation therapy? The most common side effect is a burning sensation at the site where EDTA is enters the vein, but this usually goes away quickly and is mild. Rare chelation therapy side effects can include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. (6) It’s very important for EDTA to be infused properly and slowly, since high levels can cause electrolyte imbalances. It’s also possible that while it removes harmful heavy metals, EDTA can potentially also bind to needed vitamins and minerals and remove them from the body, which poses the risk for deficiencies. To make up for this, many practitioners give patients large doses of vitamins/minerals following chelation therapy so they avoid becoming very deficient. Although it’s very rare, kidney damage and heart failure can also occur due to blood pressure levels dropping suddenly and abnormally low calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia). At this time, children, pregnant women, and anyone who has a history of heart disease or kidney problems should not use chelation therapy without consulting with a doctor first. (7) Related: Brain Detox: Is It Time for a Cleanse? (Plus How to Do It) Other Ways to Lower Heavy Metal Toxicity If you’re experiencing symptoms of heavy metal toxicity, chelation therapy along with a reduction in common toxins may be able to help you. How can you lower your exposure to heavy metals in the first place? Start by adjusting your diet and then consider taking supplements that can...

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Avoid Expensive Detox Scams

The AHA! Team — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 18:21:07 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – Detoxing continues to be a hot topic in Hollywood and across social media sites. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow promote cleansing as a way to counter everything from weight gain to the effects of too many cocktails the night before. It’s gotten really out of hand… Today, you can find over-the-counter detox kits in every drug store across the country. They’re a huge business. Last year, sales of detox products topped $100 million. But sadly, you’re being sold a bill of goods regarding these kits. Now, don’t get me wrong, toxins are a huge problem… Your environment has changed dramatically in the last 100 years. And you need a good defense against our toxic world now more than ever. Over 85,000 manmade chemicals have flooded our world. These toxins are everywhere – in the air, in your house, in your workplace, in just about everything you use every day… even in your food and water. We weren’t designed to live in this toxic world. Your body is an amazing detox system. Your liver breaks down toxins so your kidneys and bowels can eliminate them. But that system can be overwhelmed by the modern world. Toxins build up so much that we are becoming walking, talking superfund sites. But here’s the problem with the current detox fad – it’s too little too late. Here’s what I mean… You wouldn’t wait to do an oil change on your car until the motor oil is black and the engine is burning, would you? But that’s what detox peddlers want you to do… They want you to cleanse once things have already gone too far. But if you wait until you really need to cleanse, you risk some pretty awful effects. If you have any of these symptoms, you are already toxic: Memory loss Unexplained headaches or back pain Joint pain or arthritis Unexplained weight gain Depression or lack of energy Psoriasis Abnormal body odor Frequent allergies Brittle nails and hair Bad breath 3 easy ways to “un-toxify” for good health Don’t wait until you have a serious problem to detox. A better approach is to use what I call “un-toxification.” In other words, you want to support your body’s natural cleansing organs before you get overwhelmed with toxins. Here are three easy ways to un-toxify safely. Un-tox your body’s biggest organ. I recommend every patient at my clinic detox with an infrared sauna. I prefer this type of sauna to a traditional steam sauna. Infrared light penetrates several inches into your tissue. This releases debris from the fat underneath your skin. It also allows your body to free toxins stored in other organs and tissues.1In one study, sweat from a traditional sauna was up to 97% water. But sweat released in an infrared sauna was only 80% water. The remaining 20% was made up of fat-soluble toxins.2 Cleanse your internal organs. I recommend un-toxifying your internal organs a couple of times a year. Herbs can help clear toxins from your bloodstream, restore liver function, and flush out your kidneys. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum). This is my first choice for a liver un-tox. Take 200 mg in capsule form twice a day. Look for a dried extract with at least 80% silymarin, the active compound. Triphala. This ancient secret from India is a combination of three powerful herbs. This combination forms a powerful gastric healer and acts as a gentle, safe, and highly effective detoxifier for the intestine, colon, blood, and liver. Triphala also helps clear away impacted buildup in the colon. I recommend supplementing with 1,000 mg once a day before food. Dandelion. This root stimulates bile and acts as a gentle diuretic. A 2017 study found that the polysaccharides in dandelions promote liver function.3 Use 4-10 grams of the dried leaf or 4 to 10 mL of fluid extract. Burdock root. This ancient remedy is a diuretic and diaphoretic. This means it increases urine and sweat. These actions strengthen your natural purging systems.4 Rid your tissues of heavy metals. Activated charcoal is called the “universal antidote.” When you take it orally, toxins are attracted to the surface of charcoal particles. Your body does not absorb the charcoal itself. So the toxins stuck to the charcoal eventually exit your body via the bowels. Activated charcoal can extract and neutralize many more times its own weight in gases, heavy metals, toxins, poisons, and other chemicals. It’s so powerful that a tiny amount – less than the size of a postage stamp – can absorb up to four tennis courts worth of toxins! I regularly use charcoal as part of my personal un-toxification plan. But be careful…too much can rob your body of nutrients and minerals. Take 10-15 grams of powdered activated charcoal mixed with water twice a day, two hours before a meal. Do this over a period of one to two weeks. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References: 1. Sears M. “Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: a systematic review.” J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:184745. 2. Evolution Health. Infrared sauna detoxification. 3. Cai L, et al. “Purification, preliminary characterization and hepatoprotective effects of polysaccharides from dandelion root.” Molecules. 2017;22(9):140. 4. Clare B, et al. “The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day.” J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Aug;15(8):929-34. To read the original article click here.

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Revitalizing Energizing Green Smoothie for the New Year

AHA Publisher — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 08:00:01 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – This time of year, it’s easy to feel fatigued and overwhelmed. It’s easy to set aside health goals, and just wait until the new year. But, there’s never been a better time to feel revitalized and energized! We’ve got an energizing green smoothie recipe that can help you stay on track and finish the year strong. In fact, this smoothie contains ingredients that can revitalize and help detoxify your body, from your cells to organs to everything in between. If you’ve indulged a bit too much this Holiday season, try this smoothie to detox and revitalize. If you’re just looking for more energy to finish out the year, try this smoothie for its energizing qualities. And, if you want a new recipe for a healthier new year, commit to this smoothie each day for one daytime meal, and see its wonderful effects on health and energy. Here’s how to make it, and how it can revitalize you! Revitalizing Energizing Green Smoothie for a New Year! Ingredients 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or canned coconut milk 1 scoop Keto Zone Fiber Zone 1 scoop Fermented Greens ® 1 cup spinach, kale, or mixed greens 1 scoop Red Supremefoods® 1 scoop Keto Zone Hydrolyzed Collagen 1/2 cup frozen cranberries (other berries are okay as well, but reduce other berries to 1/4 cup due to higher sugar content) water and ice as needed Instructions Place all ingredients in a blender. Mix well, adding water and/or ice to desired consistency. Makes one serving. Revitalizing and Energizing Foods 1. KETO ZONE FIBER ZONE If you want to revitalize and re-energize your body, start with a healthy digestive tract. The inulin and psyllium husk in Keto Zone Fiber Zone are two amazing fibers that support digestive health. In fact, both inulin and psyllium husk stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. When these bacteria are healthy, yeast overgrowth is inhibited, and digestion improves. What’s more, healthy fibers and digestion directly support immune health (1, 2) and energy. 2. DIVINE HEALTH FERMENTED GREEN SUPREMEFOOD® WITH CHLOROPHYLL When it comes to energizing food, it’s hard to beat chlorophyll. In fact, this lifeblood of plants can do wonders in the human body as well. Chlorophyll acts similarly to hemoglobin in the human body, except it carries magnesium instead of iron (3). It supports immune health, digestive health, and liver health. It also works to alkalize the body and urine pH. This supports liver function and helps the body remove toxins like metals, pesticides, and more. Chlorophyll is found in most raw, live greens. Divine Health Fermented Green Supremefood® contains fermented greens and chlorophyll including alfalfa, kale, spirulina, wheatgrass, and more. The fermentation process makes the nutrients in these foods more bioavailable in the body. Thus, they deliver high amounts of nutrients and chlorophyll to the blood (4, 5). 3. BEETS AND BEET POWDER Beets are one of the most vibrantly colored vegetables around. Their beautiful hue comes from phytochemicals called betanins. But betanins are much more than a pretty color. They are the primary nutrient in beets and are responsible for their many health benefits (6). In fact, they fight free radicals, encourage reduced inflammation, and support the detoxification of the cells. What’s more, beets also support the production and work of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant our cells make to fight damaging substances. Beets also support the oxygenation of the body. This means energy! Beets contain natural nitrates that are converted to nitric oxides in the body. Nitric oxides dilate blood vessels, allowing more oxygen to circulate more efficiently. Nitric oxide may also increase muscle tissues’ ability to use oxygen (6). One of the best ways to get the power of beets, especially when following a low-carb diet, is through Divine Health Red Supremefoods®. 4. KETO ZONE HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN Keto Zone Hydrolyzed Collagen works throughout the body to support health, nutrient absorption, skin, and energy. In fact, it contains many forms of collagen, including types I, II, and III. This combination revitalizes and supports gut health, skin health, joint health, and immune function. In fact, many studies now show that a dose of ~10 grams per day of collagen supports skin elasticity, hydration, dermal collagen density, youthful appearance, reduced wrinkles, and less skin fragmentation (7, 8, 9, 10). What’s more, it supports joint health and movement so you can get out there and enjoy activities in the New Year! 5. CRANBERRIES Cranberries are an amazing superfood. In fact, this low-carb fruit is loaded with antioxidants and phytochemicals that help neutralize free radicals to support cellular health. In addition, whole cranberries, as opposed to juice or extracts, specifically support cardiovascular and liver health. They support healthy cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and arterial flexibility (11). Together, a healthy cardiovascular system and arteries deliver blood, oxygen, and energizing nutrients to the body efficiently. Bottom Line A New Year calls for revitalization and new energy. Try our Energizing Green Smoothie. Of course, you don’t have to wait for 2021. You can choose to finish this year with great momentum and move into the healthiest year of your life. And if you’d like more ideas for detoxifying and revitalizing your body, join Dr. Colbert’s 21 Day Detox and Fast! New energy and new health for a New Year! To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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Ultraviolet Light Treats Influenza?

AHA Publisher — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 07:00:27 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – The healing power of ultraviolet light (UV) has flown under the radar for decades. Yet, it’s one of the most powerful detoxifying agents known to man. It kills bacteria and viruses and can be used in a clinical setting. The therapeutic benefits of light have been known for millennia. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, believed light was essential to balance the body and emotions. And there is good reason why, during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, medics discovered that severely ill patients had hugely better recovery rates when they were nursed outside and had regular exposure to sunlight.1 You see, UV rays from the sun are a natural germicide and have been shown to deactivate the influenza virus, as well as bacteria that cause lethal secondary respiratory infections.2 Patients placed in sunlight also benefited from a boost in vitamin D3, which is synthesized when UV rays strike your skin, and are the key to ramping up your immune system defenses. Today, I’ll show you how UV therapy works, how I use it at my own clinic, and how you can harness the healing power of the sun in your own backyard. UV Light Safely Treats Dozens of Diseases and Health Concerns In the late 1920s, a doctor in Washington developed a system in which a patient’s blood was taken and run through a rudimentary “ultraviolet light box,” before being re-injected back into the patient’s bloodstream. He called the treatment “ultraviolet blood irradiation” or UPI therapy. (Also known as UVBI.) For the next three decades, doctors across America used it to successfully treat dozens of different types of viral and bacterial infections. These included septicemia, pneumonia, tuberculosis, botulism, influenza, mastoiditis, sinusitis, acne and even polio — as well as cancer, rickets, psoriasis, lupus, asthma, pain management, and smallpox lesions. Clinical research from the 1930s and 1940s confirmed the healing power of UV light. One study from 1948 revealed UBI therapy was used to cure 15 of 15 hospitalized patients of viral pneumonia — which is also one of the lethal complications of a coronavirus infection. 3,4,5,6 But, with the rise of antibiotics in the 1950s — UV light therapy was pushed to the fringes of medicine in America. Medical UV research shifted to Russia and Germany, where new generations of intravenous UV-emitting laser devices were developed to irradiate blood. How I Use UV Light at the Sears Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine At my clinic, I use intravenous (IV) laser therapy — a technique that injects the healing power of ultraviolet directly into your bloodstream via low-level laser light. These soft, low-power lasers have nothing to do with surgical lasers, which are used to cut, cauterize, and burn out diseased tissue. Instead of generating a heat effect, soft lasers glow cool. Instead of destroying tissues and cells, they repair them. One of the most astonishing biological benefits of IV laser therapy is its energizing effect on your mitochondria, the tiny power plants in each of your cells. These organelles make a kind of chemical energy called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, by synthesizing nutrients from your diet and the oxygen carried by your red blood cells. ATP is fuel for your cells. If your mitochondria stop producing ATP, your cells simply run out of gas. This causes organs and tissues to malfunction, leaving you prone to any number of infectious and chronic diseases. Multiple studies show that mitochondria act as photoreceptors for laser light. As soon as your mitochondria are hit with the soft laser light, they immediately switch into a higher gear and begin producing more cellular energy. You won’t just feel hyper-alert and brimming with energy after IV laser therapy, which patients usually do — studies show that it can triple your general sense of well-being.8 The mitochondria boost also occurs in the cells that make up your immune system, turbocharging your body’s defenses against infection and disease. IV laser therapy has also been shown to increase the synthesis of nitric oxide, an important signaling chemical that relaxes your blood vessels and allows more oxygen-rich blood to flow through your body.9 This is key to fighting the coronavirus, because — like cancer cells — viral and bacterial pathogens can’t live in high oxygen concentrations. These anaerobic (without oxygen) germs are unable to survive when your cells are saturated with oxygen. The great thing about IV laser therapy is that it’s as fast and painless as a blood test. Here’s what happens… A tiny catheter is inserted in your arm at the vein in your elbow. The tip of the catheter has a tiny bulb that emits a special laser beam. As the blood flows past the laser light it is radiated with a light beam. In about 10 minutes, all your blood has circulated past the beam. That’s it! If you’d like more information on IV laser therapy, just call my clinic staff at 561-784-7852 for details. Or you can visit the website at www.searsinstitute.com. Get the Benefits of UV Light at Home You shouldn’t confuse these soft, UV-emitting lasers with the powerful artificial UV-C light used in hospitals and water treatment plants as a disinfectant. Natural UV-C light can’t break through the earth’s ozone layer and germs have no resistance to it. It’s also dangerous to humans. Instead, IV laser therapy emits UV-A and B waves, which your body also absorbs from sunlight. I’m not a fan of the handheld laser wands you can buy on the Internet either. These are usually sold for pain relief, but they won’t irradiate your blood in the way IV lasers do. The best way to get the healing benefits of ultraviolet light at home is to get out in the sunshine. Here’s what you can do: 1. Get out into the sun. It’s your best source of vitamin D. • You need at least 20 minutes of sun every day for pale skin tones, but 30 to 60 minutes for darker skin tones. Make sure to avoid burning. • If you tan as you do this, increase your exposure a few minutes every day. • If you have sensitive skin, or burn quickly, get 15 minutes of sun twice a day — as the sun rises and sets. 2. Take 2,000 IU to 5,000 IU of a good quality vitamin D3 supplement daily, also called cholecalciferol. It’s the same vitamin D3 your body produces. Just be sure to avoid the synthetic form of vitamin D2, because it is less potent and less absorbable. I recommend at least 2,000 IU a day — and taken in the morning. That leaves you plenty of room for you to get additional vitamin D from other sources like the sun and your diet. But if you’re fighting disease, you’ll need more. Doses of 6,000 IU to 8,000 IU are common, even if you’re not battling disease. Some people need more than others. Ask your doctor for a vitamin D3 test to make sure you know where you stand. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Al Sears, MD click here. References 1. Hobday R. “Coronavirus and the Sun: A lesson from the 1918 influenza pandemic.” Medium. March 10, 2020. 2. Schuit M, et al. “The influence of simulated sunlight on the inactivation of influenza virus in aerosols. J Infect Dis. 2020;14;221(3):372–378. 3. Hancock VK and Knott EK. “Irradiated blood transfusion in the treatment of infections.” Northwest Med. 200(33). 1934. 4. Knott EK. “Development of ultraviolet blood irradiation.” Am J Surg. 1948;76(2):165-171. 5. Barrett HA. “The irradiation of autotransfused blood by ultraviolet spectral energy. Result of therapy in 110 cases.” Med Clin N Am. 1940;24(3):723-732. 6. Miley GP and Christensen J. “Ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy in acute virus and virus-like infections.” Rev Gastroenterol. 1948;15(4):271-283. 7. Hahmi JT, et al. “Role of low-level laser therapy in neurorehabilitation.” PM R. 2010;2(12 Suppl 2): S292–S305. 8. Momenzadeh S, et al. “The intravenous laser blood irradiation in chronic pain and fibromyalgia.” J Lasers Med Sci. 2015;6(1):6-9. 9. Kazemikhoo N, et al. “Modifying effect of intravenous laser therapy on the protein expression of arginase and epidermal growth factor receptor in type 2 diabetic patients.” Lasers Med Sci. 2016;31(8):1537-1545.

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