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| tive, eliminative, or reconstructive action by the vital force. The secret of good herbal and nutritional therapies is w recognize and draw upon the vital resources inherent in the unique constitution of each individual. Thus, a typo-logical assessment is essential before deciding upon specific treatments. |
| Blood Chemistry |
| I also pay close attention to two important markers found in the blood chemistry: albumin and platelet levels. What I look for is an albumin level as high in the normal range as possible (4.5 to 5) and a platelet level in the low normal range (150 to 200). |
| Albumin is the most abundant protein found in the bloodstream, and optimal levels are vital to many of our body's important functions. Some of these vital functions include liver and kidney function; antioxidant functions within the blood and connective tissue; scavenging the stress hormone cortisol in the blood; removal of waste products from connective tissue; transportation of many vital nutrients throughout the body, including vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids; detoxification of heavy metals and chemicals, and protection of cellular oxidation of such metals. |
| Albumin is also vital to the function of aldosterone, which regulates fluid balance within the cells and the entire body. High levels of albumin prevent mutation, and low levels are an early predictor of morbidity and mortality. One of the many attributes of the nutritional supplement chlorella is its ability to increase the albumin level. |
| Platelet levels are also vitally important to the health of the person with cancer because cancer, by its very nature, forms tumors in order to grow. In order to have metastases, the platelets must aggregate and clump together. This means that if an individual's platelet count starts rising above the normal range, it is likely that the cancer is spreading. It also means, however, that by inhibiting platelet aggregation with enzymes like bromelain and herbs like turmeric, one can effectively inhibit one of the strategies that cancer uses to spread. Excessive platelet aggregation is also a cause of atherosclerosis. |
| Cholesterol is another important factor. I look at cholesterol levels because low cholesterol can indicate a suppressed immune system. The endocrine system utilizes cholesterol to make hormones, which are important to our vitality. Of course, cholesterol that is too high is a risk factor for heart disease. |
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