Many of these conditions may begin with little or no symptoms, but over time they degenerate organs and tissues to a noticeable state of weakness and malfunction. For example…heart disease, diabetes, obesity and various types of cancer are amongst the top killers in the world, for both male and female.

These conditions are all 100% preventable, even curable in early stage detection.

Below are some brief details on conditions associated with poor health.

Many of these conditions may begin with little or no symptoms, but over time they degenerate organs and tissues to a noticeable state of weakness and malfunction. For example…heart disease, diabetes, obesity and various types of cancer are amongst the top killers in the world, for both male and female. These conditions are all 100% preventable, even curable in early stage detection.

Allergies
An allergy refers to a mistaken reaction by your immune system in response to contact with one or more allergens (e.g. pollens, dust mite, molds, danders and food sensitivities). This response is ‘flawed’ because the foreign substances are usually harmless to a non-allergic person.

Asthma
Asthma is a breathing problem that results from the inflammation and spasm of the air passages (bronchial tubes) in the lungs causing them to narrow. This limits the flow of air into and out of the lungs. Asthma is often related to an allergic reaction, such as triggered by those examples listed above. Common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness.
• Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

This is a progressive disease of the brain that is characterized by a failing in memory (most often short-term memory), abilities to carry out normal everyday tasks, speech and language abilities and overall judgement and is often accompanied by personality changes.

“Scientists believe AD may result from an increased production and accumulation of beta-amyloid protein, leading to nerve cell death. This can cause deficits in neurotransmitter ability in certain brain areas, contributing to memory and behavioural malfunctions. Nutritional deficiency is associated with this overproduction and many trials in nutritional rebalancing and monitored supplementation have proven successful in delaying or even reversing the symptoms.”

Arthritis
Arthritis is a joint disorder and can appear in many forms, ranging from related wear and tear of cartilage (osteoarthritis) to inflammation resulting from an over-active immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints.

Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited joint function. Inflammation of the joints from arthritis is characterized by stiffness, swelling, redness and tenderness.

Many forms of arthritis can also cause symptoms that affect various organs not directly involving the joints. These can include fever, gland swelling, weight loss and fatigue.

You can find out more about this condition in our specific Arthritis section.

Cancer
Cancer is a disease of the body’s cells. It is an abnormal growth of cells that can reproduce in an uncontrolled way and, in some cases, spread to other organs and body systems.

A cancerous growth or tumor is referred to as malignant. (A non-malignant, or non-cancerous growth or tumor is referred to as benign.)

Cancer can involve any tissue of the body and have many different forms. Most cancers are named for the type of cell or organ in which they start – breast cancer, testicular, prostate, cervical, skin, lung, colon, bladder and bone.

While skin cancer is the most common type of malignancy for both men and women, the most common type in men is prostate cancer and in women is breast cancer.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
There are several names for IBS including spastic colon and spastic colitis. It is a common ailment of the lower intestines and bowel.

IBS is a ‘functional’ disease whereby the digestive muscles, organs and nerves are not working correctly and cannot function effectively, i.e. the normal processes of absorption and assimilation of foods becomes disturbed and disrupted.

Symptoms experienced, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, distention, diarrhea and excess mucous.

Crohn’s disease
This condition is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines causing tears to the intestinal lining. Granulomatous enteritis or colitis, regional enteritis, ileitis or terminal ileitis are all alternative names for Crohn’s disease.

The immune system is normally activated when the body is exposed to harmful foreign bodies. With Crohn’s disease the immune system is activated in the absence of these foreign bodies resulting in chronic inflammation and ulceration as the immune system attacks its own tissue.

Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is a disease that affects central eye vision and can lead to actual vision loss. It usually occurs in older people of 60+, hence it is known as ‘age-related macular degeneration (AMD)’ (although there are forms that affect young people too).

There are 2 types of AMD, dry and wet:

In dry AMD the light sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down.

In wet AMD new blood vessels behind the retina start to grow toward the macula and leak underneath it. This causes damage to the macula that can lead to vision loss.

Peripheral vascular disease
PVD is a disease of the blood vessels that develops when the arteries supplying blood to the internal organs and extremities become partially or completely blocked, usually resulting from atherosclerosis…

Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition where cholesterol ‘plaque’ is deposited on the arterial walls causing hardening and narrowing of the artery walls, potentially leading to angina, heart attacks and strokes.

Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the overactive thyroid gland produces excess thyroid hormone (thyrotoxicosis).

Obesity
Being overweight is probably the biggest single contributor to degenerative and chronic disease.

Obesity is a chronic condition defined as “an excess amount body fat”. A certain amount of body fat is necessary to store energy and provide shock absorption for the musculoskeletal system, along with many other functions.

Normal body fat is between 25-30% in women and 18-23% in men. Women with over 30% body fat and men with over 25% body fat are therefore considered obese.

Obesity increases your risk of developing a number of other chronic and potentially fatal conditions:

• Type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Arthritis, gout and osteoarthritis
• Stroke
• Heart attack / heart failure
• Cancer.

The additional load on the muscles and joints from the excess fat affects your heart. Your heart then has to then work overtime to push more blood through your body at a faster rate for every pound of excess fat you hold.

The liver, kidneys and many other organs are also affected. They all have to overwork to try and correct the imbalances brought on by obesity.