Posts classified under: 2014

Chiu-Nan Lai, Ph.D.

Twelve years ago, Dr Lai spent two years reading up on research findings about the harm caused to humans and nature by electromagnetic field and radiofrequency radiation. She subsequently published four articles (*) in Lapis Lazuli Light magazines highlighting the adverse impact of such radiation. During these 12 years, the harm caused by electromagnetic field and radiofrequency radiation has greatly increased, particularly related to harm inflicted on fetuses, infants, children the elderly and those who are sensitive. Here is a summarized extract of Dr Lai’s latest article urging people to take the necessary precautions.

Many new cell phone towers or base stations are constructed within schools, kindergartens, and child care centres in churches, causing children to be exposed to an electromagnetic and radiofrequency radiation-filled environment that is several thousand times greater than in the past.

In the United States, the number of cell phone towers has almost doubled from 130,000 to 260,000 in the past ten years, causing harm 24 hours a day. In 2006, there were two billion people using cell phones. By 2012, this number had increased to 60 billion. New computers only have wireless Internet services and many people no longer have landlines but instead have several cell phones. Some people have their cell phones turned on all the time because of work requirements. What is the result? More and more people are getting harmed.

Because the harm caused by such radiation exposure takes five to 10 years to surface, the damage we see now may have started 10 years ago. Nowadays, when people find out that they have cancer, they discover that it is of some rare form and one that grows rapidly. It is increasingly common to hear of people who lack appetite, feeling cold, or have constipation, no energy, insomnia, depression and restlessness. Some have their days and nights reversed.

Scientists who conduct research in this area have continuously warned people of the seriousness of the problem. Twenty-nine scientists from 10 countries published their report on this issue in 2007, and added a 1500-page supplement in 2012 with 1800 new research findings. The harm caused by electromagnetic field and radiofrequency radiation is an absolute truth substantiated by scientific research evidence. This harm is universal across all countries. It is essential that everyone reduce their use of wireless networks in order to protect each other and reduce the harm.

Scientific research makes the following conclusions about the impact of electromagnetic field and radiofrequency radiation:

1. Abnormal genetic replication
2. Harm to genes
3. Creation of stress proteins
4. Genes lose their ability to repair and heal themselves
5. Impaired ability to remove ions and reduction of melatonin secretion
6. Harm to nervous systems of humans and animals
7. Carcinogenic to humans
8. Serious interference to the sperms of humans and animals
9. Impact on behavior of the next generation
10. Fetuses of animals that are exposed to cell phone radiation have impaired brain functions and brain growth

New research related to cell phone towers shows that low signals (0.003 to 0.05 uw/cm2) can cause headaches, inability to concentrate and behavioral problems among children and youths. Hence, even the presence of such exposure within “safe” limits can cause physiological impact that is 1000 to 10,000 times greater than in its absence.

Modern-day children are harmed beginning with their father’s sperm. This harm continues in the fetus, infanthood and childhood. Sperms are harmed even with very low cell phone signals (0.00034 to 0.07 uw/cm2). The sperm’s genes do not have the ability to repair themselves. Low-signal cell phone exposure is akin to placing the cell phone in the trouser’s pockets or hanging the phone on the belt. Placing a wireless computer on the lap can also damage the sperm’s genes. This is why infertility is very common these days.

Research conducted on mice in 1997 found that when five generations of mice were exposed to what is equivalent to cell phone tower signals (less than 1 uw/cm2), the mice completely lost their abilities to reproduce and this was irreversible.

For humans, when mothers used the cell phone during pregnancy, their children have a greater incidence of behavioral problems at school age compared to those whose mothers did not use cell phones. Mothers who used cell phones during their pregnancies had children who had increased emotional problems by 25%, hyper-activity by 35%, behavioral problems by 49%, and problems socializing with others by 34%. Pregnant women should avoid computer, cell phone and other sources of electromagnetic field and radiofrequency radiation. Pregnant women who take MRI encounter interference with other electromagnetic radiation, and have children who are more likely to develop leukemia and asthma.

The places where children live, sleep or learn should be free of exposure to electromagnetic field or radiofrequency radiation. This is especially so for children who have neurological-related issues such as learning difficulties and autism. Classrooms should be strictly free of all wireless network services. Every child should have a learning environment that is devoid of all wireless interference. The physiological disturbances related to autism as well as physically handicapped conditions have very close similarity to symptoms of harm caused by radiofrequency radiation exposure.

Radiofrequency radiation can cause a break in the blood-brain barrier, the defense system between the blood and the brain functions. This break allows toxins to enter the brain. Merely by using the cell phone once for two hours can lead to this break. After 50 days, the damage to the nervous system becomes apparent. The cell phone signal necessary to cause this is 0.001 W/kg i.e. less than one arm’s length distance from a cell phone. Hence, merely having someone nearby use the cell phone can cause the the blood-brain barrier to be impaired. Other than this defense system, the defense system between the blood and eyes, blood and umbilical cord (for the protection of the fetus), blood and stomach, blood and testes will also be negatively affected by electromagnetic and radiofrequency radiation.

Melatonin secretion can be reduced through exposure to electromagnetic field and radiofrequency radiation. Other than weakening the immune system, it also increases the chances of Alzheimer’s disease among older people. Melatonin has protective functions. It decreases the Amyloid beta in the blood, which is directly related to Alzheimer’s disease. Melatonin reduction is also related to the incidence of breast cancer. The 2012 report (see www.bioinitiative.org) has very detailed discussions on this topic.
When we truly recognize and understand the harm caused by electromagnetic field and radiofrequency radiation, we would be determined to change our lifestyles. Some people are still skeptical or reluctant to give up conveniences. Some children have already been harmed by such radiation and have itchy skin. Their mothers want to help but their fathers will not cooperate and insist on using the wireless Internet services.

In general, the people harmed are the “second-hand” smokers. Many years ago when the cell phones started being used in the United States, a lady who lived in the distant mountains sought my help for her lung cancer. I asked her about her living environment and habits, and did not understand why she had lung cancer in such a good environment. Later, I found out that her husband worked at home and relied completely on the cell phone. Her bedroom was just next to her husband’s office. This may be a coincidence, but many years of research has proven that radiofrequency radiation can cause lung cancer. The few people with lung cancer that I know have worked in front of the computer for many years and sometimes have several computers in their bedrooms.
Drug addicts need to exert great effort to kick the habit. The cell phone can also make people addicted, and this is also shown by research.

The Chinese culture emphasizes filial piety and taking care of our body that came from our parents is a very important aspect. Furthermore, future parents need to protect their sperms and eggs of future generation to carry on the ancestral line. If we continue to be exposed to electromagnetic field and radiofrequency radiation, we may be infertile after five generations, just like the laboratory mice.

Every wireless device has an equivalent one that is wired. For instance, the telephone has landline versions, and the Internet has wired versions. In California, it is possible to elect not to have wireless electrical meters. I know several friends who became ill within three years of installing these meters. Some sensitive people develop insomnia right away and had to have the wireless meters removed immediately.

Open your eyes and observe the electromagnetic field and radiofrequency radiation exposure in your living environment. Remove those that can be removed and stop using those that are not necessary. Also, use the name of “Luminous Lightening King”, the “Flower of Life”, mantras, crystal formations, deep blue paper as protection. People or organizations in charge of meetings must insist that everyone not carry their cell phones into these venues. Even if they bring these in, they have to turn off these devices, and it would be better if they remove the batteries as well. Each of us has to start with ourselves, our family, workplace, factories, organizations and so on. We need to protect each other, starting with our homes and spreading out to our residential districts. Do not harm each other. Do this for ourselves, humankind, nature and our next generation.

* Publisher note: The four published articles are 1. Electricity: A Source of Trouble? (2001), 2. Back to Nature: Timely Rain & A Peaceful World (2002), 3. Wake up – For Your Sake and the Sake of the Next Generation (2006), 4. Water – The Source of Life, the Source of Illness (2007).

The original Chinese article is published in the Aug 2013 issue of Lapis magazine

Chiu-Nan Lai, Ph.D.

Once a simple conversational starter, “cooking oil” has become a complex topic in modern times. There is too much information, too many choices and new research findings that conflict with old findings. What cooking oil should we take to be healthy? Many people are confused and in the last decade, the response has been “it doesn’t matter” – eat what we like. The consequence is that obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer have been on the rise in America. In particular, obesity has become very common.

Researchers are like the proverbial “blind men touching the elephant”. This year, they touch the elephant’s ear and next year, they touch the tail. Hence, their understanding is always adjusting. However, many people have full confidence in the latest research findings. If they follow these findings, they sometimes seem like leaves being swept by the autumn wind—flowing here and there.

Take oil as an illustration. Early medical research findings found that consuming too much saturated fat mainly from beef, pork or chicken, etc. will increase the incidence of heart disease. Therefore, the American Heart Association began to encourage people to eat more vegetable oil since it is non-saturated. However, this led to other problems. What is sold in the market is largely Omega-6 oil from corn, soybean, grape seed, peanut, cottonseed, safflower, sunflower and so on. Omega-6 oil is relatively more stable than Omega-3 oil and new varieties of oil generally have lower Omega-3 content to preserve its shelf life. However, increased consumption of Omega-6 oil actually leads to an increased incidence of heart disease.

Besides Omega-6 and Omega-3, unsaturated oil also includes Omega-7 and Omega-9. It seems that odd-number Omega oil has a protective effect on the heart. The main source of Omega-7 is from Hawaiian nuts, while that for Omega-9 is the olive.

One reason why Omega-3 became well known is that some Danish researchers went to Greenland (part of Denmark) to investigate the fatty acids in the blood of the Eskimos. These Eskimos consume lots of fat, but experience almost no heart diseases. Their sources of fat come from the meat of whales, halibut and seals. This source of fat is different from that derived from fish, pigs or cattle bred in captivity. Because of this research finding relating to the Eskimos, the consumption of fish and fish oil became popular. This is like touching the ear of the elephant. This early research was conducted in the 1970s. When the Eskimos adopted a western diet and started taking vegetable oil, their incidence of heart disease began to rise. By 1988, this heart disease proportion was close to that of the mainland Danes and by 2003, it was identical. The incidence of modern diseases also increased among the Eskimos, even though they continued to eat their seals and fish, etc. This health trend of Eskimos is similar to people of Okinawa in Japan. For the past 50 years, their incidence of chronic diseases has been rising, even though they also eat fish. The reason is that their consumption of vegetable oil had a threefold increase compared to the past.

An unbalanced diet is the source of diseases. Food that is processed will be easily oxidized with the balance of its nutrients destroyed. When we eat processed oil, we can easily lose the balance between Omega-6 and Omega-3. Currently, Americans’ consumption of Omega-6 is 25 times that of Omega-3. The healthy ratio is under 4.

For example, consuming a tablespoon of safflower oil will exceed more than 50% of the daily appropriate intake. Furthermore, safflower oil does not contain Omega-3. Similarly, a tablespoon of grape seed oil also exceeds appropriate daily intake. Processed unsaturated oil is easily oxidized. This is the second reason why we should not consume processed oil. Omega-3 is particularly unstable, thus the food industry does not use Omega-3 oil.

On this earth, the greatest supply of oil is that of Omega-3 and Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) is an essential Omega-3 fatty acid. All green leaves and green algae are rich in Omega-3 as long as not too much Omega-6 is present.

Within an animal’s body, a part of ALA is converted to the Omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is present at the highest levels in the brain and eyes. A mother’s breast milk also has high DHA content and it contains the nutrients for the infant to most rapidly grow. In the absence of breast milk, DHA can be supplemented by using DHA extracted from green algae. Some infant products in the market contain DHA supplements.

Green leaves are sources of ALA (Omega-3), while seeds are the sources of linoleic acid or Omega-6. We need both types of oil, but this has to be balanced. The problem lies in excessive Omega-6, which can inhibit the conversion of ALA into DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). EPA has anti-inflammatory functions. In recent years, the view is that inflammation is the source of all diseases, including heart diseases.

Over a hundred years ago, Dr. Rudolf Steiner emphasized that green leaves provide the best source of fatty acids. Twenty years ago, there was no research to support this view, but it has now been found that green leaves contain higher than expected higher fatty acids, all of which contain Omega-3. For instance, the purslane contains four times Omega-3 fatty acids than farm-grown spinach. Wild vegetables contain more Omega-3 than those grown in farms.

Plants store their fatty acids in their seeds. In general, when the seed germinates, Omega-6 is converted to Omega-3. There are some exceptions where Omega-3 is relatively high in the seeds. For instance, 50% of the fatty acid in the flaxseed is Omega-3. Other good sources of Omega-3 are hemp seeds, walnut and many legumes such as green peas and large red beans.

Why has the consumption of Omega-6 increased significantly? The average American’s body contains several pounds of Omega-6 oil. It takes about 3 years to balance the amount of Omega-6 and Omega-3 in the body. In the 1970s, the government actively subsidized industrial-style farming, along with the mass production of soybeans and corn. This cheap supply of cereals and oil significantly changed the source of food.

Livestock farms use corn and soybean as animal feed, and the animals that are reared this way do not contain much Omega-3. Similarly, fish fed with corn do not contain much Omega-3. Soybean and corn are commonly used as ingredients in processed food. Corn chip is a common fried snack and corn syrup is commonly used in snacks. This cheap source of oil is sold all over the world, vastly changing the eating habits of people.

Even people living in places that traditionally eat coconut milk have also converted to taking corn oil that is high in Omega-6. This cheap vegetable oil has affected the people’s health in many countries. Earlier, it was mentioned that the deterioration of the Okinawa peoples’ health is associated with the consumption of vegetable oil. Another previously inexplicable puzzle relates to the deterioration of the health of Israelis, and this is associated with their consumption of linoleic acid (Omega-6) oil. Their incidence of heart diseases and mortality has been rising. Their consumption of vegetable oil is highest in the world (30 grams or more per day). They have lower animal fat, cholesterol and calories than Americans but their incidence of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and many types of cancers is similar to that of Americans. This was previously a puzzle because there was no distinction between the types of unsaturated oil people consumed. The Israelis are the best examples of how eating Omega-6 fatty acids do not prevent but instead cause many chronic diseases.

Author Susan Allport used herself as a guinea pig in an experiment. For 30 days, she increased her intake of Omega-6 but did not change her other diet. She replaced salad dressing oil with that made using corn oil. She also replaced olive oil that she had used as salad oil with a mix of soybean oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil. She continued to eat fish twice a week, but changed her dairy intake from that derived from cows fed with grass to those fed with general animal feed. During this time, her blood’s fatty acid content had a significant change: the Omega-6 content increased while the Omega-3 content reduced, such that the ratio rose from 2.9 to 6.1.

With this decrease in Omega-3 levels, her weight did not change but her abdominal fat increased by half a pound. Her metabolic rate also slowed down from 1367 calories to 1291 calories. What was most surprising to experts was that her arm vasoconstriction reduced by 22%, and the elasticity of her blood vessels also fell. She was very brave because she was fully aware of the effects of Omega-6 on her body. In Allport’s book titled “The Queen of Fats”, she talked about how Omega-3 has disappeared from the American diet.

Many people are affected by one-sided reporting of research results and believe that eating fish is the best source of DHA and EPA. In fact, if they do not take Omega-6 and the ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 is not more than 2.3, the body will effectively convert ALA into DHA and EPA.

Several studies have proven this. The first study involves 14,422 participants. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the DHA and ALA in the blood among those who ate fish, those who did not eat fish but ate other animal products and vegans. Although there was a big difference in the absorption of Omega-3, the DHA of the vegans was higher than that of the fish-eaters.

Ralph Holman has conducted research on fatty acids for many years. He collected blood of people around the world to analyze their fatty acid content. His American control group consists of 100 healthy people from Minnesota. He was surprised to find that the Omega-3 within the blood of his American sample was lowest, below that from India, Sweden, Australia, Africa and Nigeria. The Omega-3 in the blood of infants from the United States was less than 4%, and that of infants from Nigeria was higher than 13%.

One of Holman’s post- doctoral students was a Nigerian. He sent Holman the blood sample of 38 of his fellow Nigerians living in a small town called Enugu in inner Nigeria. They did not have much fish to take. Surprisingly, Holman found that the Omega-3 in their blood was higher than any other test sample, and double that of the Minnesota group. These Nigerians took a lot of green vegetables, did not take Omega-6 oil, and ate a little palm oil. In this case, the saturated fatty acids did not counteract the Omega-3 fatty acids.

Holman discovered thirty years ago that to derive benefits from Omega-3, the intake of Omega 6 must be reduced. In 1985, he started using Omega-3 to treat people with depression, attention-deficit and post-natal depression. It was also from this time onwards that there was a growing divide in opinion on the effects of fatty acid among researchers, government agencies and medical associations.

In the New York Times Number 1 bestseller book titled “Fork Over Knives”, it was emphasized in the recipes section that if we eat whole plant foods, there is no need to be concerned about supplementing our Omega-3 intake. We just need to be careful not to use oil that has high Omega-6 content or use any processed oil in our food while taking a small amount of seeds, coconut, avocado and olives.

Many years ago, I encouraged the use of water to cook vegetables. After 30 to 40 years, there is more research to support this view. Use water to cook vegetables and eat an appropriate amount of flaxseed, hemp seeds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, coconut and other nuts.

The proportion of Omega-3 and Omega-6 in flaxseed is 3.9. Thus, it is easy to achieve a balance in the Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio by adding a small amount of flaxseed. Most people can take 2-4 tablespoons a day of flaxseed. Freshly grounded flaxseed powder can be added to porridge, energy soup, or other dishes (e.g., grain-based dishes). Adding a big bunch of greens to energy soup is a good way to supplement Omega-3. If it is available, it is best to add purslane. It is good to chew slowly because Omega-3 fats are very susceptible to oxidation. Hence, it is best to purchase whole flaxseed and grind it only when you are about to consume it. Any excess can be kept in a fridge, to be consumed within seven days. Whole flaxseed can be kept for a year.

The following is one way to supplement our Omega-3 intake:

Sunflower seeds flaxseed sauce

1. Soak 1 cup sunflower seeds in water for 6 to 8 hours. Drain the water and allow the seeds to germinate.
2. Grind 3 tablespoons of flaxseed to powder form. Add 6 tablespoons of water and a few drops of saturated brine.
3. Use a food blender to grind the above and add some spices such as coriander, basil or curry powder. This mix can be eaten as a jam for biscuits or taken with salad. Alternatively, it can be compressed (to ¼ inch thick) and baked as cookies under low heat. The ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 is 1.6. With the use of sunflower seeds, the ratio is 3:2.

When making any pastry or grain-based product, you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons of flaxseed powder to 2 cups of grains. You can also add flaxseed powder when cooking porridge.

We will soon publish a recipe book titled “Grandma’s Kitchen—Lapis Lazuli Light Recipe Book II” that contains many ways of eating fermented grains that can complement the use of flaxseed.

References:

• • www.forksoverknives.com
  • www.Omega-6-news.org
  • Allport, Susan, The Queen of Fats, Why Omega-3s were removed from the Western Diet

 

The original Chinese article is published in the Nov 2013 issue of Lapis Lazuli Light magazine and is accessible online at: http://www.lapislazuli.org/tw/index.php?p=20131101.html

Chiu-Nan Lai, Ph.D.

Habit is the body’s routine reaction. It is part of the subconscious and completely bypasses the conscious mind. Habit comes from repetitive movements and repetitive emotional responses.

Learning to ride a bike is a familiar example. Initially you need to concentrate on riding and it may feel very unnatural. But after practising repeatedly, cycling becomes a habit. Without concentration, the body can operate automatically.

Similarly, repetitive emotional reactions form personality. If you do not pay special attention, you may think that it is innate and cannot be changed.

Among all the habits, eating habits are the most deeply rooted. It is also the most difficult to change. If you can change eating habits, it would be easy to change other habits. Chinese travelling abroad must find Chinese restaurants. A Chinese might not feel full after a meal without rice. A relative from Hunan travels with hot chili bean sauce. Another person from Hunan who has lived in the U.S. for years, still needs to eat specially prepared chili sauce at every meal. Without chilli, they cannot eat rice. Once on a plane, a passenger from India told me that her husband brought hot and sour sauce with him when he toured the United States.

When we are rigidly controlled by habit, it is very difficult to be objective in selecting a diet that is good for the body. Until the body is overburdened and becomes sick, then we will reconsider what is the right diet.

Last year, one of my neighbours hosted a Christmas Eve dinner. After the last guests departed at two o’ clock in the early morning, he had a heart attack. As it was Christmas Eve, he did not want to bother his friends and waited until early in the morning before going to the hospital. He was lucky not to die. He immediately collected information about the treatment of heart disease and found a newly listed documentary “Forks Over Knives” which gave a very detailed account of plantbased foods in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

This neighbour also found a book written by Dr Caldwell B. Esselstyn who advised the former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, in his diet after his heart attack. Mr Clinton completely changed his diet overnight. He became a vegan and eats a completely fat-free diet.

Due to his personal experience, my neighbour earnestly wanted to alert other people without health problems yet. He screened the documentary “Forks Over Knives” for the local residents to watch. Recently, his friend who was only 45 years old had a sudden heart attack and fell unconscious by the road. Fortunately, a doctor was passing by and saved him. An ambulance happened to be there and sent him to hospital. In the administering of emergency first aid, six of his ribs were broken. The hospital prepared for an operation which he refused. He went to Dr Esselstyn’s Cleveland Clinic that was introduced in the documentary to learn how to be a vegetarian.

The eating habit of Americans has changed dramatically in this century. Meat intake has nearly doubled. Sugar intake increased by nearly four times. And dairy intake increased more than two folds, prompting a significant increase in a variety of chronic diseases.

From 1996 to 2005, Americans who have three or more illnesses increased by 86%, diabetes increased by 90% and two-thirds of adults are obese. Obesity has doubled in children in these three decades. Diet can cause disease but it can also prevent and treat disease. The documentary tracked the lifelong research experience of a septuagenarian surgeon Dr Caldwell B. Esselstyn and scientist Dr T Colin Campbell.

Dr Esselstyn was a former surgeon who specialised in mastectomy. He found that surgery was not the answer and turned to study the cause of breast cancer. He noticed the critical role of diet and changed his job into using diet to save heart patients who were declared incurable. Some of them had undergone two or three surgeries and were waiting to die. Each and every one of his 24 patients were brought back to health.

When former US President Bill Clinton had a heart attack, Dr Esselstyn guided his change of diet. Prior to his sickness, Clinton would jog to a fast food restaurant near the White House to buy instant breakfast everyday. After his sickness, he became the most famous vegan and has publicly thanked veganism for saving his life.

Dr Campbell is a professor of Nutritional Biochemistry in Cornell University. He is best known for the study to explore the relationship between diet and health in joint cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine and Oxford University. The conclusion from seven years of study based on statistics collected from 130 counties totalling 6500 people was that those villages that who ate more fruits and vegetables have the best health status. There is a correlation between animal protein, heart disease and cancer, especially casein from milk is carcinogenic.

Professor Campbell’s turning point was when he was in the Philippines counselling on child nutrition, particularly in the area of protein supplement. He observed that children from wealthy families had a higher than average incidence of liver cancer. Then he saw a research article from India where the author experimented on two groups of mice. Both groups of mice were exposed to aflatoxin (liver carcinogen). One group of mice was fed with a diet containing 5% casein, and the other group was fed with 20% casein. Twelve weeks later, the group that was on high-protein diet developed liver cancer, whereas the other group on a low protein diet did not have cancer. Professor Campbell returned to the U.S. and replicated the above experiment. The result was the same. He further experimented by switching the feed formula every three weeks. The group with the low protein diet (5%) was switched to a high protein diet (20%) and then switched back again to a low protein diet (5%). With a high protein diet, the mice began to develop liver cancer. When the diet was changed to low protein, the cancer stopped. Later in a study collaborated with China testing on humans, the result was consistent. Professor Campbell also switched to a vegan diet even though he grew up on a dairy farm and as a child his diet was mainly meat, eggs and milk.

Throughout these forty years, I also witnessed how a change of diet can cause cancer to disappear. During graduate school, I often visited H.H.I. which was founded by Dr Ann Wigmore and met people from all over the world who regained their health due to dietary changes.

In California’s Optimum Health Institute, there are many recovery cases, including one man who had many tumors growing along both sides of his spine and he regained his health in a short time. I also met a lady whose cancer in the neck disappeared after she changed to a vegetarian diet. But when she could not resist the family’s urgings, she began eating meat again especially fatty meat and the cancer came back on the other side of the neck.

The film also interviewed several other experts and a public health doctor Terry Mason. He himself is 98% vegan, and would occasionally eat one or two egg white. His dietary change was related to his profession – urology and erectile dysfunction. At a medical meeting, the cardiologist and urologist discovered that the cause of both diseases is the same. This is because the U.S. meat-based high-fat and highcalorie diet damaged the endothelial cells, which is the layer of cells that line the blood vessels, and thus injuring the heart and also harm the penis.

In the film “Forks Over Knives”, there are a few examples of recoveries. There were two heart disease patients who were declared terminal by doctors. Twenty-five years later, they are still alive and healthy. In the filming process, another two patients who have diabetes and hypertension regained their health when they changed their diet.

There was a patient who made a full recovery from breast cancer 30 years ago after going on a vegan diet. Before her illness, Dr. Ruth Heidrich, winner of many gold medals in long-distance running thought that she had a healthy diet, eating so-called “white meat”: chicken and fish and low-fat milk powder and milk. She ran for an hour every day. When she was 44 years old, she found a lump on the breast. After a check-up, the doctor told her it was benign. She went for another check-up three years later and the lump had grown very big. After surgery, the doctor found it to be invasive cancer that had already spread to the bones and lungs. She saw a newspaper item reporting that Dr John McDougall was looking for volunteers for research to study the use of food for treating cancer. During the interview, she thought that there was no problem with her diet and was surprised when Dr McDougall told her “that animal protein you have been consuming is the reason for your cancer.” She began a vegan diet and a few weeks later, her cancerous bone did not hurt anymore. She is now 77 years old, fully recovered and continues to compete in marathons around the world. She wrote several books on health, sharing her experience in health recovery.

Plant foods can make a person healthy and young and has been proven by DNA research. Dr. Dean Ornish, a cardiologist friend of former President Bill Clinton, found that after going on a vegetarian diet for three months, telomerase in telomeres which repair the chromosome increased by 30%. The longer the telomeres, the longer the life of cells. If there is not enough telomerase for cell repair, the cells will die.

Food and consciousness are closely related because the qi of food nourishes the consciousness which is how Dr Steiner, the anthroposophist viewed it. This is also the view of some enlightened practitioners. Organically grown and wild plants have lots of colours.

To achieve the best nourishment in a vegetarian diet, you need natural foods which are complete and not processed. The recipes in “Forks Over Knives” do not use any processed oil, white sugar, white rice and white flour, etc. Particularly, those suffering from heart disease and cancer should avoid processed oil.

Oil can be derived from seeds and nuts. Flaxseed and chia possess a wealth of Omega 3 fatty acid. Professor Campbell emphasised that only the Omega 3 derived from complete food is effective. The proportion of different fats is important, supplementing with a single fat does not have much effect. People living in different regions could use different foods that contain fat.

In Southeast Asia, it is best to use traditional coconut milk for cooking rice, vegetables and snacks. Other regions could use sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, cashews and pine nuts to make sauce, milk or powder.

The Chinese traditional diet is plant-based. In recent years, influences from the United States have resulted in huge consumption of meat, eggs and milk. As a result modern diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity have greatly increased.

“Forks Over Knives” very clearly showed the relationship between diet and disease. Dr Esselstyn’s eldest son, Rip Esselstyn is also a practising vegan. He wrote the bestseller “Engine 2 Diet” based on the stories of vegan recipes shared with his fellow fire-fighters. In 2003 he made a bet with a few fire-fighters to see who had the lowest level of cholesterol. The result was one of them had cholesterol so high that it was very dangerous. In order to help him, all of the fire-fighters went on a vegan diet. In a short time, the cholesterol level dropped from 344 to 196. Following that Rip started his own experiments. He found 58 volunteers from all walks of life to change to a vegan diet. After six weeks, everyone’s health had improved, cholesterol lowered and weight decreased.

If Chinese people return to a plant-based diet, there will be very big improvements in lowering the incidence of modern disease. Avoid deep-frying and pan frying with oil. Food must be cooked with less oil, less salt, less sugar and no MSG. For those with heart disease and cancer, it is best not to use any processed oil. Whenever I look at Chinese vegetarian recipes, I find it hard to bear. Each dish is either deep fried, stir fried or pan fried with added wine, MSG, sugar, salt and so on. This method of frying is not conducive to healing. Also avoid processed “vegetarian meat”, “vegetarian chicken” and “vegetarian fish”.

If you use tofu products, it must be made from organic soybeans which have been either sprouted or fermented. Traditional varieties such as black soybeans are better. If the gluten products have no preservatives and have undergone fermentation, a little amount can be eaten.

Many people are allergic to gluten in wheat, but after fermentation they are able to accept it. The Chinese traditional wheat gluten (kaofu) is made with fermented gluten. Nowadays, there are ancient varieties of wheat such as spelt, kamut and einkorn. Gluten-sensitive individuals can eat products made from these wheat. Einkorn, the oldest variety, with twelve thousand years of history, has only two chromosomes. Modern wheat has six. Currently in Italy, there is an organic farm growing this product. When people begin to demand the traditional wheat varieties, farmers will plant them. Simply put, for people and earth to survive, there are two key diet principles:

1. 1. Stop eating food that has eyes and food that has a mother.
      This includes all animal and seafood carcasses, eggs and milk. One woman who has been a vegetarian since the age of two shared the reason for being a vegetarian. One day, her four-year old sister was eating a piece of chicken meat with relish. She was curious and asked where the chicken meat came from. At that time, the chicken which they raised was just outside the window and her mother said that it came from chicken. She dropped the chicken in shock. From then on, she stopped eating meat completely. Later, she told her young sister: “You cannot eat this and that because they are from a life that has eyes.” This was the beginning of her vegetarianism at two years old.
   2. Eat food that comes from complete plants.
      Fruits, seeds, stems, leaves, roots and seaweed and other such category. Choose products grown from organic natural farming and eat a portion of it fresh. Avoid processed foods such as processed oil, white rice, flour, white sugar, MSG and genetically modified foods. Do not worry about insufficient protein. Do not worry about eating too much grain. As long as it is balanced and diversified, the body naturally has its own wisdom.

Reference:

• www.Forksoverknives.com
• www.FoodRevolution.org

The original Chinese article is published in the Aug 2012 issue of Lapis Lazuli Light magazine and is accessible online at: http://www.lapislazuli.org/tw/index.php?p=20120801.html

Chiu-Nan Lai, Ph.D.

I’ve recently heard that many people’s eyesight have degenerated rapidly, with some having dry, red or tired eyes. Some have even discovered they have eye ailments such as glaucoma and cataract.

Eyesight degeneration is closely related to long-term computer exposure. Many people are increasingly dependent on the computer for work, information search, leisure, entertainment, socialization and commercial purposes. The older generation is unfamiliar with the use of computers but they need to rely on others for computer assistance. The computer has become an indispensable companion in life.

The most obvious impact of this lifestyle is the deterioration of one’s vision. The proportion of children who are myopic is about 48% in the U.S.A. and 84% in Taiwan.

The deterioration of our vision mirrors the deterioration of our body because our eyes are directly related to our blood circulation and the functions of our liver and kidney.

The computer itself has electromagnetic radiation and interferes with our body’s energy (qi). On top of this, Internet access is generally through a wireless mode and the electromagnetic waves and microwaves increase the stress on the eyes and body.

Our eyes are small and absorb relatively more radiowave and microwave. At the same time, reading and using the computer at close proximity results in excessive use of our central vision, causing our peripheral vision to deteriorate. We need our peripheral vision to adjust our focus. Another consequence of excessively using our central vision is that our eye pressure will increase, potentially leading to glaucoma.

To improve our vision and prevent its deterioration, one principle is to treat our selves with kindness. Taking care of our eyes requires time, and necessitates changing how we habitually “see”, our lifestyle and diet. Only the blind can deeply appreciate the preciousness of being able to see.

Dr. Meir Schneider (PhD), a teacher of self-healing (particularly of the eyes), was born blind. He felt the suffering of not being able to see. Furthermore, both his parents were deaf. When he went out with his father, he would get lost and although he would cry out loud, his father could not hear him and had to rely on kind passersby to lead him to his father’s side.

When Dr. Schneider was 16 years old, another boy taught him Dr. Bates’ eye exercises and training techniques. After a year and half of intensive training, he could see words placed at the tip of his nose. Slowly, he began to recognize his neighbour’s face. Many years later, he no longer needed to wear glasses and passed the California driver’s license test. The day before the test, he spent ten hours doing palming exercise where he placed his palms over his eyes to relax them.

Dr. Schneider’s perseverance is an important factor in his recovery. When he started doing his eye exercises, he would run to the rooftop ten times a day to “sunbathe” his closed eyes. He also practiced the palming exercise three hours daily. His mother thought he was wasting his time by not doing his homework. To improve our eyesight, we need to let our eye muscles relax and undertake some exercise. If we frequently need to read at close distance, we need to balance this by looking into the distance periodically. Remember to blink and breathe deeply. These are natural movements typically forgotten by people who use the computer.

Dr. Schneider‘s recommendations for people who face the computer daily include the following:

1. Let the eyes rest every 20 minutes. Allow the eye muscles that are used for near-distance reading to relax. Select four points at a distance (in the house or outside the window) and shift the eyes’ focus on each of these points. Also close the eyes and do the eye-palming for a minute. Allowing the eyes to appropriately look at a distance is important for maintaining the eyes’ health.

   There is the story of a person who did computer work at work. His office overlooked the mountains and the coastline. He did not need to wear glasses till he was 60 years old. When he got promoted, he moved to another office that did not have an expansive view. Within two months, his eyesight deteriorated and he had to wear glasses. The view outside his old office had attracted him to naturally look afar.

2. When we are focused intensively on the computer, we tend to stare at it and hold our breath. This will cause our eyes to be tired. One reason for dry eyes is that we forget to blink. Doing so can lubricate and massage our eyes. People with poor vision have lost their ability to blink their eyes in a relaxed fashion. One of the ways to remind ourselves is this: when we wake up in the morning, take a breath and then blink several times before breathing out. Do this three times. Then blink 10 times, rest a while and do this until you reach 100 times. Then repeat two times. This can help recover the habit of blinking.
3. Periodically massage the edges of the eye socket, forehead and cheeks. When the eyes are used to looking at near distances for a long time, the eye muscles will tighten. Hence, relaxing the facial and head muscles can enable the eye muscles to relax too. Close the eyes and gently massage the eyebrow. This will also relax the eyes. Blinking will also relax the eyes.
4. Another effect of looking at a screen for an extended period is that the pupil will lack the opportunity to dilate and contract because the light does not change. Over time, the pupil loses its ability to stretch and the muscles will also deteriorate. Night blindness arises because the pupil has lost its ability to naturally dilate and contract.

   Practice sunbathing the eyes (keep them closed) before 10 am and after 4 pm. Also, slowly rotate the body left to right 180 degrees. Because of the light changes, the pupil has the opportunity to dilate and contract. Remember that the eyes are closed when facing the sun. Be sure to remove all glasses and contact lens as this exercise should not be done through glass surfaces. After a few minutes, rest by having the back face the sun and cover the eyes. Then repeat a few times.

5. Practice palming the eyes. Rub your hands together to warm them and then place your palms over your closed eyes. Both the shoulders and arms are relaxed. Practice palming for a few minutes to relax the eyes after an hour of looking at near objects. It is best to practice palming the eyes 45 minutes in total, with each session lasting at least 20 minutes. Add on a few five-minute to 15-minute sessions. This is a critical resting exercise that improves our vision.

Dr. Schneider emphasized that the most thorough way of taking care of our eyes is through exercise, rest and changing our habitual way of “seeing”. Other methods that rely on glasses and surgery are only treating the symptoms and have side effects in the long run. A person with a back injury will not use a back support to continue working and not allow his back to rest. In contrast, when our eyes are overtired and our vision deteriorates, the general practice is to merely use stronger glasses and not alter the way we use our eyes.

People who are myopic should spend 30 minutes every day to look at far distances. It is also best to look at far distances for 7 minutes before looking at near distances. Perhaps many people are of the opinion that they do not have time to take care of their eyes. The price is that not only do their eyes deteriorate but their physical and mental health would worsen as well.

Nature is the best nourishment for our eyes as well as body and mind. Our eyes will relax in a natural environment – our focal point will naturally shift from near to far and our pupils dilate and contract. Our peripheral vision will also get to exercise as the adjustment of near and far focal points rely on peripheral vision.

Walking in the dark will also develop our peripheral vision and allow our pupils to totally relax. The act of walking involves movement that will also stimulate the cells associated with our peripheral vision. Dr. Schneider recommends that we practice walking in the night a few times a month, each trip lasting 45 minutes. There was a person who did a night walk once and achieved significant improvement in his vision.

The healing power of nature has been experienced by many people and it has also been proven by research. In Japan, compared to those who walk in the city, those who practice walking in the forest have lower blood pressure, heart rates and release of stress-induced hormones. Whether a patient can see nature from his window can also affect his health.

In a small town called Paoli in the eastern part of the United States, the hospital there has a row of rooms where the windows overlook trees. Another row of rooms have windows that face walls. Researchers who investigated the recovery rate of patients who underwent gall bladder surgery between 1972 to 1981 found that those who stayed in rooms that overlooked trees had recovery rates that were four times better than those who stayed in rooms that faced walls. The former were also discharged a day earlier and needed painkillers once (compared to two to three times for the others).

The eyes are no different. Look at natural scenery more frequently. It is better to look at the indoor potted plants than to look at walls and computer screens.

The operations of the eyes and brain are closely related. In general, people do not use their left and right eyes equally—one of them is dominant. Ninety percent of the brain’s activities are seen through the dominant eye, which may deteriorate when it is overworked. The weaker eye will also deteriorate because it is not used. Letting both left and right eyes be used evenly is also an important means to improve our vision.

Stimulating peripheral vision in both eyes is also an important balancing approach. There is no issue about a particular eye being dominant with regards to peripheral vision.

Moving both fingers on each side of the eyes can stimulate peripheral vision. Do so when reading or using the computer. One way to train the weaker eye is to cover the dominant eye and use the weaker eye to see near and far.

It is possible to do so by using a cheap pair of sunglasses. Remove the lenses from the side of the weaker eye, and use tape to cover the other side. How do we determine which is the dominant eye? Roll a piece of paper into the shape of a telescope. The eye that you naturally use is the dominant eye.

Both eyes are also related to the left and right brain. The right brain controls the left eye, while the left-brain controls the right eye. The right brain deals with creativity and intuition, while the left-brain deals with logic and thinking. When both sides of the brain are not used in a balanced way, and logic and thinking is dominant, part of the brain is viewed through the right eye.

When we cover our right eye and use the left eye to see, some deeply hidden emotions will surface along with some intuition not normally present. In particular, some emotions and memories related to our mother or her family can emerge. If we cover our left eye and use our right eye, memories or thought patterns associated with our father will surface. The right eye is associated with our interactions with the external world.

The way both eyes interact also reflects how our parents relate to each other. In short, our eyes reflect the health of our body and mind, as well as our living environment and habits. Taking care of our eyes has a very deep impact that far exceeds our imagination.

The original Chinese article is published in the May 2013 issue of Lapis magazine and is accessible online at: http://www.lapislazuli.org/tw/index.php?p=20130501.html

◎ Lapis Lazuli Light is inviting Dr. Meir Schneider to hold a six-day workshop from March 27 to April 01, 2014 on “Enhancing Our Vision” Singapore. The talks will be translated into Chinese by Mr. Robin Pan. For details, please refer to page 36 of the Lapis Lazuli Light magazine.

◎ Lapis Lazuli Light will publish Dr. Schneider’s new book titled “Improving our vision, expanding our horizons” in Chinese by end of December 2013.

Chiu-Nan Lai, Ph.D., Compiled by Rachel Tsang

Chinese Pastries

Chinese pastries (bing) is a typical feature in breakfast. The Chinese eat baked wheat cake (shao bing), flaky green onion pancake (dachong bing) and twisted cruller (you-tiao). Indians eat idli and dosa, the French eat crepes, Americans eat pancakes and Mexicans eat tortillas. Modern bread, made mainly from white flour, has lost its traditional flavour and nutrition. The methods provided here emphasise nutrition and easy digestion, and also use ingredients which are slightly alkaline-forming.

 

Vegetable Pancakes

Potato Cauliflower Pancake for 2

1 large potato or 2 small potatoes

Equal amount of cauliflower

1. Julienne all ingredients or use a blender to chop into small pieces.
2. Add 1 teaspoon brine.
3. Add chopped onions according to personal preference.
4. Divide the ingredients into 2 – 4 portions and place on heated pan which has been greased with coconut oil. Flatten the mixture and fry one side (7-10 minutes) on low heat.
5. Turn the mixture over and fry for 2 minutes. It is ready for consumption.

Cauliflower can be replaced with sweet potatoes or turnip. Fresh corn kernels can be added too.

 

Dosa and Idli

The staple food of South India is dosa and idli which are made from rice and beans. Generally the kind of rice used is either long grain rice or fragrant rice and the bean used is uradal which has black skin and look like mung beans. Lentils, black beans, mung beans or navy beans can be used too. The proportion is two parts rice to one part beans.

For Making Dosa:

1. Soak rice and beans separately for 8 hours and then sprout for at least 1 day. If there is not enough time, just sprout slightly.
2. Blend rice and beans into paste separately with a little water (one cup of dry rice to one cup of water or a little less than a cup). A little fenugreek can be added.
3. Mix both rice and bean paste thoroughly and put into a large bowl. Cover with a plate for eight hours and leave the mixture to ferment.
4. Before frying, add a little oil and brine to the mixture. Pour three to four tablespoons of the batter into the hot pan.
5. Smooth the batter in the fry pan with the back of a spoon.
6. Turn it over after a few minutes and then continue frying till cooked.

The most common way of eating is wrapping with curry potatoes but it can be eaten with other vegetables or on its own.

If making idli, pour dosa batter into idli moulds and steam in pressure cooker for six to seven minutes. If using electric pot, steam for ten to fifteen minutes.

 

Pancake

In an elementary school in Michigan, USA, I ate pancake for the first time in the home of a classmate when I went there to play. The mother of the classmate prepared this snack, topped with maple syrup. Although this is a breakfast food, it is also a good after-school snack. The most commonly used ingredient of the pancake is flour and buckwheat flour. But other grains or beans can be used. The famous French crepe is also a kind of pancake. In the province of Brittany in Northern France, buckwheat pancake is the staple food for all three meals. The Netherlands also has similar, smaller, thick bread which generally has baking soda or egg in it. Natural fermentation is the traditional and the most nutritious way.

 

Sprouted Wheat and Buckwheat Pancakes

1 cup sprouted wheat

2 tablespoons rejuvelac

1 tablespoon flaxseed powder

1 cup buckwheat flour

2/3 cup water

1. Blend sprouted wheat and rejuvelac and water in a blender.
2. Add flaxseed powder and buckwheat flour. Mix well.
3. Pour into a big bowl and cover with a plate and leave overnight.
4. Next morning, heat a flat pan, smear with a little oil and fry one side till cooked.
5. Flip the pancake and fry for 2 minutes.

Buckwheat flour can be substituted with cornflour. Sprouted wheat can also be substituted with other grains or millet or amaranth.

 

The Mexican Tortilla

The main staple of traditional Mexican food in the villages is tortilla which is eaten three meals a day, accompanied with beans. The corn used is processed and turned into flour which can be used to make tortilla if it is available for sale (can be substituted with cornflour and buckwheat flour in ratio of 1:1).

2 cups cornflour (masa harina)

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

1 tablespoon rejuvelac

3/4 cup water

1. Combine water, rejuvelac, cornflour and grounded flaxseed.
2. Knead till dough no longer sticks to fingers. Add a little cornflour or water if necessary.
3. Cover in a bowl and leave for 8 hours. If need to shorten time, add 1 – 2 teaspoon of coconut oil just before frying.
4. To make traditional tortilla, divide dough into 8 balls. Flatten the ball and roll it between 2 waxed papers till 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) thickness.
5. Fry in medium heat until slightly golden in colour.

The dough can also be used to wrap filling like a bun and steamed over high heat for 15 minutes. It can also be steamed without filling like a “mantou”. Serve with dhal or coconut sauce or ginger sauce.

 

Mung Bean Rice Cakes

1/4 cup mung beans

1 cup of rice (fragrant rice or long grain rice)

1 tablespoon flaxseed (grind into powder)

1 tablespoon fenugreek

1. Soak mung beans and rice separately and leave to sprout.
2. Blend with water, flaxseed powder and fenugreek.
3. Pour into a bowl and cover with plate and allow it to ferment naturally for 8 hours. It then can be used to make into pancakes or steamed cake.

Black beans, white beans and lentils can be used to substitute mung beans.

 

Concluding Remarks:

Two years ago, Dr Lai handed this article “The Acid-Alkaline Balance Diet” to me. Initially, I wanted to try them before sharing with the readers. However, because my experiments for the breakfast dishes were not good enough, I postponed publishing this article. However, I have ignored the fact that many mothers are better at cooking than me. I have also forgotten that this article could set new trends in the food and beverage industry benefitting many busy office workers. I hope the readers will forgive us for being too cautious. In fact, I have already seen cookbooks that emphasise the basic concepts of alkaline recipes but it is rare to have such comprehensive and thoroughness as Dr Lai’s. The external environmental pollution and our hectic pace of life are enough to cause our bodies to acidify. No wonder cancer is so common nowadays. For those who are already sick, on top of actively avoiding all forms of pollution, a natural lifestyle is much needed and it is best to also practise qigong to nurture our energy. Daily meals require highly alkaline foods for a balance. Hopefully, this reminder to have an acid-alkaline balanced diet is not only a concept but a practical way to incorporate into our daily life. If you have a breakfast recipe which is alkaline-forming, we hope that you can share it with us by emailing it to [email protected]. Thank you!

The original Chinese article is published in the May 2009 issue of Lapis magazine and is accessible online at: http://www.lapislazuli.org/tw/index.php?p=20090503.html