Re: Is it possible to stop degenerative disc disease?

>>"Thanks for the reply."<<

My pleasure...

>>"I injured my back about three years ago - I herniated a disc. MRI and X-RAYS showed degeneration in some of my other discs in my back and neck as well."<<

I had back surgery sometime in the mid-1980's for a disk rupture, herniation, and several compressions and bulging disks...

>>"It took a while but thankfully I am now able to exercise - mainly walking. I try use thera bands and very light weights when I can."<<

It took me a while back then too... it sucks. My wife even told me she got the point that she was ready to shoot me... dang, and I thought it was for better or worse :-\

That was supposed to get a smile out of you... but it is true too :-)

>>"What concerns me is that I have a lot of clicking in my body/joints - back neck etc. So I want to heal and prevent any further deterioration."<<

That will go away eventually if you keep plugging along at improvement with a great attitude :-)

>>"I try very hard to eat healthily, but I spend a lot of time out of the USA in the old country and organic food is not as available here as in the US."<<

The food does not have to be *organic* certified... as long as you are comfortable with, and trust the source... to be using organic\CNG\biodynamic practices. The organic label (or any certification actually) is just another way for the government to tax and control the people.

>>"I take a lot of supplements."<<

>>Vitamin c - I would use a whole food C - like acerola cherry powder... I like Health Force Nutritional's *truly c* product which includes a bit of beet root in it.

>>Omega 3 Fatty acids - fish oil. - the brand matters here - unfortunately I have lost touch with what the best brands are out there as I eat wild caught pacific salmon and\or sardines a few times a week now instead.

>>Vitamin D3 - sunshine will work best... however, that said, some people do need D3 as their D3 manufacturing pathways may not be functioning properly.

the world has come to that... and makes natural healing methods rather difficult for many without know what specific metabolic issues one may have, such as protein, fat, carb, or other nutrient metabolic issues.

The healthy fats and oils will contain many of the fat soluble vitamins in them including the D.

>>Evening primrose oil - I did this for a while too... not sure I would continue if your dietary fats are in order and high quality. These fats\oils should be available to some degree in the *old country*, where ever that is... but you may have to ferret out a good farmer\rancher for them.

>>Calcium - I am worried about bone density even though I am a male - due to the back injury.

What form of calcium? calcium is used in perhaps more processes in the body than any other mineral... and must be balanced with many other elements\minerals including magnesium, phosphorous, silica, etc.

If you prefer pills, I like Ethical Nutrients for bone minerals.

>>Reservatrol - could be good... only took it for one bottle to have a look see... I eat local (my own and neighbors yards) fruit, including grapes and berries mostly.

>>Vitamin B complex. - whole grains that are capable of sprouting will give this complex to you as will many other food sources... and the purpose behind the nutritional and brewers yeast suggestions.

I would, where possible, try to get away from the pill if you can.

>>Bio Strath supplement. - I am not familiar with this product, however looked it up and it looks to be good... I use many of the ingredients in my food preparations.

>>An Ati Inflammatory Complex - Boswellin, Curcumin, Ginger Root Extract and Bromelain. I take this when I have pain. - that sounds very good... the turmeric (curcumin) may work for you well too if you have success with this product. I also use ginger liberally making a fermented ginger soda\beer for the probiotics.

>>Unfortunately most of these supplements are not organic. I also keep kosher and it is hard to find organic kosher vitamins.

http://koshervitamins.com

While I am thinking about it, you could add home made fermented foods of some kind... kim chi, sauerkraut, etc. The store bought stuff will not work like the homemade will as it is, in many cases, pasteurized.

>>I am also trying to follow a Ph balanced diet as much as possible. What is your opinion on this?

That is what I do... that is the foundation of the ML protocol. He had a forum here and it is still, Ask Moreless... he does not post here anymore though.

>>I noted in Tony's reply to me that he believes toxicity plays a roll.

Absolutely... the toxicity of your *living* cells, and their lack of nutrition cause illness and chronic conditions. There are many contributing factors, however the bottom line is whether or not your living cells are functioning and communicating as they need to in order for you to heal and repair.

>>I have many amalgam fillings - since childhood. I know I need to have them replaced but cost is an issue and it will take time.

One thing at a time... I believe getting your diet and lifestyle straightened around first is priority.

What water do you drink?

>>I will follow your advice where ever possible.

The advice I gave was primarily dietary... I used to tell people to choose your foods like your life depends upon it, because it does.

>>Can you explain more about the fats and oils.
I do not use butter or margerine.
I use a lot of extra virgin olive oil. Do you recommend coconut oil as well? What other fats should I include and should they come from the food I eat?<<

Great - virgin olive oil is good... BUT, not for cooking, unless very low heat. heat changes the structure of the kind of fats in the olive oil. Real butter can be used for cooking on a low to a medium low heat... and coconut oil can be taken to a little higher temp without damaging the oil too much, medium or so.

Lard is better for higher heat cooking... but again, I would be real sure of the sources for things like lard, tallow, suet - quality matters in all things that go into OR on your body.

A few things to research will help you here...

A cookbook called *Nourishing Traditions* which you may find for download on the Internet, *know your fats*, and *good calories, bad calories*.

I do know that each of those books has some great reviews available for download, one I ran into was over 30 pages long and very detailed.

Just search for the titles.

All should be available if you search for them. They will explain the fats better than i ever could... and a whole lot more.

grz-