Joint Treatment

The Bloodhound A Friendly Breed With A Famous Nose

By Dakota Dog

The Bloodhound or St. Hubert Hound is an ancient breed that dates back over 1500 years. The name Bloodhound refers to their pure blood and pure breeding standards. This large scent hound ways between 70-115 pounds and measures 23″ to 27″ in length. They are known for their excellent tracking ability that can be matched by no other dog.

In fact, it is due to this innate, unmatched tracking ability that they are the only dogs whose tracking testimony is permitted in the court of law. Tracking trails performed by police Bloodhounds are permissible in court. A Bloodhound by the name of Nick Carter is credited for finding over 600 criminals. He reportedly once followed a trail that was over 100 hours old to catch a fugitive. Sherlock Holmes was often referred to as the human Bloodhound because of his excellent investigative work.

Bloodhounds are recognized by the AKC. Their permissible coat colors include liver and tan, black and tan, or red and tawny. White flecks or a small amount of white on the chest and feet is allowed. Their short, smooth and hard coat is easy to groom and requires only minimal grooming with a hound glove. They only need bathed when necessary.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia-EMVd8GVI[/youtube]

Although energetic and intense when working, the Bloodhound is gentle and friendly when they are home with their family. They are laid back and easy going when they are not working and are wonderful with children. They do best with other dogs and pets that they are raised with from puppyhood. This is particularly true for non-canine pets as they have an innate tracking/chasing drive. They tend to be head strong and are difficult to train. No matter how well trained they are, if they find an interesting scent to follow, they will follow it until they are satisfied and will only stop when they are ready to stop no matter how many times you call them. For this reason they should be walked on a leash and kept in a fenced in yard. Even though they are not a high energy dog at home, they still require regular exercise and play. They love time to explore outside and are best in homes with a yard. They are not meant for apartment life.

The Bloodhounds ancestry dates back over 1500 years. They are often called St. Hubert Hounds because the St. Hubert monks in Belgium are credited with perfecting the breed to what we know it as today. They were brought to the United States from England. They were traditionally considered hunting and tracking dogs and are still used for these things today as well as police work and family companionship.

Perfect as hunting dog or companion dog for active families, the Bloodhound is an intelligent, curious breed that loves to explore the countryside with their family by day and relax inside with their family by night. Good with children, the Bloodhound works well with family life. If you are a family that enjoys outdoor activities and are looking for a dog to share in all aspects of family life, the Bloodhound might be a good choice for you.

About the Author: Learn more about the Bloodhound or visit us online to talk about Dogs or to see Dog Pictures

Source: isnare.com

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Joint Treatment

Are Toxins And Allergens Causing An Autoimmune Epidemic?

By Mark Hyman, M.D.

It’s a condition that affects 24 million Americans – and its incidence has tripled in the last few decades.

It affects more women that breast cancer and heart disease combined.

And it just may be caused by the huge burden of environmental toxins that surround us.

What am I talking about?

It’s autoimmune disease.

Most of us know the most common autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, type-1 diabetes, hypothyroidism, and psoriasis.

But there are actually more than 100 different autoimmune conditions, which can affect different bodily systems. These conditions occur when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues rather than a foreign molecule like bacteria.

Swimming in a Toxic Soup

Although autoimmune disease can have many causes, toxins may be the most important.

You can read more about this issue in Donna Jackson Nakazawa’s groundbreaking new book, The Autoimmune Epidemic.

Fueled by her own struggle with autoimmune disease, Donna identifies environmental toxins, which she terms ‘autogens’ – foreign compounds that create an ‘auto’ reaction against the self – as the true cause of autoimmunity.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBtCYyHtoFs[/youtube]

In his foreword to Donna’s book, Dr. Douglas Kerr, M.D., Ph.D., a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, says that ‘there is no doubt that autoimmune diseases are on the rise and our increasing environmental exposure to toxins and chemicals is fueling the risk. The research is sound. The conclusions, unassailable.’

It’s no wonder.

We are exposed to astounding amounts of toxic chemicals.

A recent government survey (‘National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals’ issued in July 2005) found an average of 148 chemicals in our bodies.

Other research has found 287 industrial chemicals in the umbilical blood of infants, including pesticides, phthalates, dioxins, flame-retardants, Teflon, and toxic metals like mercury.

A Better Approach to Autoimmunity

This toxic chemical soup clearly has dire effects on our health. But conventional doctors don’t address this when treating autoimmunity.

Instead, they prescribe heavy-duty drugs like anti-inflammatories, steroids like prednisone, anti-cancer drugs like methotrexate, and new drugs like Enbrel and Remicade that block the effects of a powerful inflammatory molecule called TNF alpha.

These drugs may help in the short term – but they can have serious side effects and don’t address the root cause of autoimmunity.

I take a different approach with my patients. I tackle the underlying causes of autoimmune disease, such as allergens, poor diet, toxins, infections, and stress.

Then I add back the things the body needs to function optimally, like whole, clean food, nutrients, exercise, stress management, clean water and oxygen, community, connection, and meaning.

And the results are stunning.

One of my patients was just 42 but could barely function. She suffered from psoriasis and related arthritis. After eliminating gluten and other food allergens, removing heavy metals, and balancing her immune system, she has lost 30 pounds and is completely free of pain and psoriasis.

Another man suffered for years with the bloody diarrhea and pain of ulcerative colitis – until he removed the mercury and other toxins from his body.

And a recent patient with debilitating fatigue from multiple sclerosis got nearly complete relief of her symptoms after she had the mercury fillings removed from her teeth and went on a comprehensive detoxification program.

But this hasn’t just helped my patients. It’s helped my family, too.

I had chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition that has autoimmune features. Once I addressed my mercury poisoning, my chronic fatigue and autoimmune problems improved.

My wife developed debilitating autoimmunity with joint pain and fatigue. Getting rid of the heavy metals in her body with an intensive detoxification program cured her, too.

You can do it, too!

If you or a loved one has an autoimmune condition, try these tips:

— Read The Autoimmune Epidemic to learn why we have this problem, and how to fix it

— Find a Functional Medicine doctor who can help you address autoimmunity

— Come see us for an appointment at the UltraWellness Center in Lenox, Massachusetts

— Get tested for mercury and other heavy metals

— Get tested for celiac disease (an autoimmune reaction to wheat and other gluten-containing grains), which causes over 60 autoimmune diseases

— Take immune-balancing nutrients and supplements, including vitamin D, essential fats (like EPA/DHA and GLA), and probiotics

— Practice deep relaxation daily through yoga, meditation, biofeedback, or anything that reverses the stress response

— Practice the precautionary principle, which says that we should avoid anything with the potential for harm. In the US, something has to be proven harmful before it is taken off the market. In Europe, something has to be proven safe before it is allowed on the market. This is also known as ‘better safe than sorry.’

— Learn how to boost your body’s own detoxification system.

Remember, by addressing the root causes of autoimmune disease, you can start feeling better and getting well – today.

About the Author: Mark Hyman, MD is a pioneer in functional medicine, practicing physician and best-selling author. A sneak preview of his book “The UltraSimple Diet” is available. See The UltraWellness Blog for more on

Autoimmune Disease.

Source:

isnare.com

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