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CONTENTS
The Elixir of Life
What is Albumin?
The Chlorella Connection
Buried Treasure
The Hygiene Connection
Cold Time's Arrival
The Elixir of Life
Research has recently revealed that
levels of serum albumin are an extremely accurate indicator of overall health status, and that low albumin levels exist at the onset and progression of virtually every non-hereditary
degenerative disease process, including
cancers and cardiovascular heart disease; the USA's two biggest killers. In fact, albumin levels are so accurate as a prognostic tool that some hospitals now favor this screening method over the existing 'APACHE II' morbidity
and mortality scoring system.
What is Albumin?
Albumin is the most abundant protein found in the bloodstream. Constantly being produced by a healthy
liver, albumin performs numerous functions that are vital to our health. These are just some of the roles that have been identified so far:
It's the most powerful natural antioxidant yet discovered,
contributing an estimated 80% of the free-radical quenching activity in the bloodstream and connective tissue.
Albumin controls the delicate balance of water between the
three 'compartments' of the body; the blood, connective tissue and the cells. In the process of 'aging' it is the connective tissue that 'dries'out.
It's essential for
transporting magnesium, copper, zinc, bilirubin, uric acid, sex hormones, vitamins, thyroid
hormones and fatty acids (Albumin is actually a very high-density lipoprotein - its ability to bind and transport fatty acids indicates that an optimal albumin level would help to protect against heart disease).
Albumin detoxifies the fluid surrounding cells in the connective tissue by binding to the circulating waste
products of cell metabolism and catabolism, and to other foreign matter such as heavy-metals, chemical toxins and dangerous drug residues, before transporting them to the liver for subsequent breakdown and removal.
High albumin levels have been shown to profoundly extend the lifespan of cells in vitro and to prevent the mutation of cancer lines.
Optimal albumin levels indicate sound kidney and liver function and an unstressed immune system.
Low albumin levels are proving to be an extremely accurate predictor of morbidity and mortality.
Albumin is a well researched medical topic. The importance of maintaining optimal serum albumin levels
is clearly indicated by the summaries following which have been abstracted from research papers published in recent issues of peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals:
Eighty-one nurse residents, mean 83 years old, hypoalbuminernia
(low serum albumin levels) was a strong predictor of mortality. Q.
Am. Ger. Soc. 1993;41:545)
Hypoalbuminemia is a reliable prognostic indicator in a wide variety of
clinical settings. Routine administration of albumin for the purposes of
raising it is the 'ultimate metabolic misunderstanding'. (Heart/Lung
1993;22:16)
We examined outcome in peritonitis surgery; low albumin levels were
significant independently associated with death and reoperation.
(Archives of Surgery 1993;128: 193)
long term follow up of patients with kidney disease showed reduced
serum albumin patients were significantly more likely to progress to
end-stage renal failure, (Q. L Med, 1992;84:619)
Peritoneal dialysis patients with low serum albumin increased
hospitalization and morbidity. (Am, L Kidney Dis. 1993;21:26)
Seventeen thousand one hundred eighty-five hemodialysis patients
were evaluated, serum albumin concentration was the most powerful
death-risk predictor. (Kid. Int. Suppl. 1992;3K822)
Two hundred fifty patients, mean 75 years, followed up after general
surgery. In low albumin cases, morbidity was multiplied by two,
mortality by three. (Helv. Chir. Acta. 1992;58:771)
Low serum albumin in rheumatic disease correlated with joint
erosion. (J. Clin. Lab. Immunol. 1990;31:1l)
Pre-operative assessment, patients who died had lower albumin. (i.
Am. ColL Nutr. 1992;11:21)
Intensive care group received infusion of albumin; not successful.
Serum albumin decreased in non-survivors. (Anaesthesia 1992;47: 7)
A large population followed for up to sixteen years showed that high
serum albumin concentrations of >45 g/L were associated with
reduced risk of CHD and death, (Am. Heart i. 1992;123:507)
We conclude that low albumin levels is an independent predictor of a
worse disposition in a geriatric VA hospital population. (The Southern
Med. J. 1993;86:13600)
Fifteen thousand five hundred eleven patients in hospital; low albumin
was a stronger predictor of death, length of stay and readmission
than was age. (Arch. Int. Med. 1992;152;125)
The death rate in severly ill hypoalbuminemia patients was five-fold
higher than could be predicted by APACHE II score. (JPEN
(1991;15:313)
Albumin replacement with the costly use of exogenous albumin does
not appear to be justified because it doesn't work. (Arch. of Surg.
1990;125:739)
The myth of serum albumin as a measure of nutrition status is
uncovered. Hypoalbuminemia in most cases is not linked to poor
nutrition. (Gastroenterology 1990;99:1845)
Hip fracture patients; mortality rate was high when albumin was low.
(1. Orthop. Trauma 1990;4:49)
Low plasma albumin/globulin ratio was a risk factor in ischemic
strokes. (Neuroepidemiology 1990;9:315)
Low albumin and low cholesterol were associated with increased
mortality. (J. Gerontol. 1991;46:M84)
Following surgery of the alimentary tract, post operative mortality was
linked to low albumin and lymphocyte count. (Rev. Gastroent. Med.
1990;55:207)
Patients who are hypoalbuminemic should not undergo colostomy
closure because of high rates of mortality. (Surg. Gyneocol. Obstet.
1990;171:17)
Patients with severe anorexia nervosa had high albumin levels that
actually decreased after extensive refeeding with high protein diets.
(JPEAf 1987;11:459)
Serum albumin levels have a strong relationship with blood pressure.
(Am. L Epidemiol, 1990;136:1465)
Long-term smoking increases transcapillary escape of albumin.
Perhaps low albumin levels contribute more to morbidity/mortality
than smoking. (Scan. L Clin. Lab. Invest.1992;52:653)
Stages of cancer were associated with reduction in albumin.
(Nutrition 1991;7:17)
Low serum albumin increases the risk of dying. Hypoalbuminemia
caused by insufficient protein intake seems unlikely. Low levels result
from stress response/disease. (Lancet (letter J 1990;35:348)
There is a highly significant association of low serum albumin and
long-term cancer risk. (Med. Oncol. Tumor Pharmacother, 1990;
7:177)
Albumin can prevent the growth of tumors. (Yao Hseuh Hseuh Pao
1990;25:886)
Low albumin levels may be a marker of atherosclerosis and
thrombosis. (Am. J. Epidemiol. 1991;134:1266)
Serum albumin concentration was correlated with HDL/total
cholesterol. (J. Nat. Med. Ass. 1993;85;290)
Normalization of serum albumin occurred only after complete
remission of Hodgkin's disease, suggests causal factor related to
tumoral mass. (Cancer 1985;55:389)
Low serum albumin is a link to early breast cancer. (Cancer 1 981;48:
783)
Total parenteral nutrition does not reverse hypoalbuminemia
commonly seen in cancer. (Nutrition 1990;6:225)
Hypoalbuminemia was a factor in poor prognosis in multiple
myeloma. (Acta Hematol. (Basel J 1978;60:257)
British Heart Study; seven thousand seven hundred thirty-five
middle-aged men, followed for 9.2 years. There was a marked
increase in mortality from all causes with decreased serum albumin.
(Lancet 1989;2:1434)
Serum albumin can completely prevent early atherogenesis in vitro.
(Biochemica et Biophysica Acta 1993:1169:12)
Albumin is a potent natural antioxidant. (Biochem. PharmacoL
1988;37:569)
Hamster and human fibroblast cells grown in the presence of high
levels of albumin lasted many generations longer, with none
converting to cancer lines. roc. Exp. Bio. Med. 1964;16:668)
The Chlorella Connection
The phenomenal broad-spectrum
healing and health-giving properties of chlorella have held a fascination for scientists, health professionals and lay-people alike, ever since these were first identified in the early 1960's.
Prior to this, and during
the ensuing period while nutritional science was still in it's early infancy, chlorella was revered simply for its potential to offer a plentiful source of high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals.
This was before
scientists began to delve a little deeper to study and identify 'phytochemicals', trace elements, many of them unique to individual species of plants, some of which are known to have profound effects on human physiology, even
in the most minute of quantities.
The importance of phytochemical science was summed-up perfectly by Dr. Walter Mertz, a senior researcher at the USDA, who stated; "It is very petty and dangerous, indeed, to put
faith in a faddish focus on
individual nutrients at the expense of whole foods."
"People who think they can remedy their poor diets by taking vitamins and minerals do not realize that this is an insult to the complexity of the universe. Each food is a vast chemical factory of perhaps 10,000 or more elements"
Chlorella is rich in phytochemicals, most of them yet to be identified. Many unique elements will no doubt be isolated in the future from within the nutrient group collectively and currently described as Chlorella Growth
Factor or 'CGF'.
Scientists have attempted to replicate the effects of CGF by synthesizing compounds that contain the macro elements identified so far, but to no avail. Their recreations did not reproduce the
therapeutic affects of CGF.
Buried Treasure
The most important health-promoting benefit of chlorella is concealed, almost as an incidental, in a
Japanese report by the Kanazawa Medical College, Department of Serology, conducted in 1985, and published in
'Scientific Reports on Chlorella in Japan' (Silpaque Publishing, Kyoto, Japan. 1992; pps 59-60)
This
research program studied the effects of dietary chlorella on the blood chemistry and blood pressure of two groups of laboratory animals; 'normal' rats, and a group of congenitally hypertensive rats. Findings showed that
feeding chlorella results in decreases in blood cholesterol and urea nitrogen (both of these thicken the blood), and a slight corresponding decrease in blood pressure. The researchers suggest that
these findings indicate chlorella as being 'potentially useful in preventing hypertension and arteriosclerosis'.
They also recorded significant increases in concentrations of some blood constituents; namely erythrocytes
(red blood cells), leucocytes (white blood cells), platelets and; – ALBUMIN!
The increases in albumin that they observed were indeed significant! In the 'normal' group, albumin levels were 16.6% higher in the group fed
broken-cell wall chlorella than in the control group, that were fed a regular diet (49 g/L vs. 42 g/L). In the hypertensive group, the increases were even more astounding!
Those receiving chlorella had an average serum
albumin level that was 21.05% higher than those in the hypertensive control group (46 g/L vs. 38 g/L).
To comprehend the vital
significance of these albumin increases, one should review the findings of the British Regional Heart Study, reported in 'Lancet', December 16, 1989, pp 1434-6, Vol. 2., subtitled "A Prospective Study of 7,735 Middle-Aged
Men Followed 9.2 Years (Avg.)" "Men with less than 40 g/L had an all-cause mortality rate six times that of men with a serum albumin of 48 g/L or more." (p. 1435) "It may be that we shall have to consider
more critically the 'desirable' or 'optimum' concentrations for serum albumin." (p. 1436)
These results were
confirmed by 'The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey', reported by the NIH in American Heart Journal. Vol 123, pp 507-13, February 1992.
It is not altogether suprising that the Japanese researchers made no
mention of this albumin difference at the time these results were obtained (1985), as much of the research highlighting the significance of albumin
was then yet-to-be reported. What is absolutely astounding is that the significance of their findings has
never (to our knowledge) been reported anywhere else since the significance of albumin levels has been established!
It is well known that intravenous administration of albumin does not work. The liver controls a precise level of protein in the bloodstream by destroying or manufacturing albumin 'to order'. The optimum concentration of
total serum protein load is considered to be 75 grams per liter. When levels of other serum proteins such as antibodies increase during infection, auto-immune disease and physical (not chronological) aging, the liver responds
by destroying circulating albumin and reducing its production of fresh albumin. It must do this in order to maintain the crucial osmotic pressure that keeps water compartmentalized at correct levels between the blood, the cells
and the connective tissue.
With lower levels of albumin circulating in the blood and connective tissue, toxins from both cellular metabolism/catabolism and from external origin begin to accumulate causing free-radical
activity. This, in combination with undernourished cells (remember, albumin is the 'master' nutrient transport
protein) and higher circulatory levels of fatty acids (LDL/VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides in particular)
creates the perfect environment for degenerative disease to become established.
Research to quantify chlorella's ability to reproduce the Kanazawa results is clearly warranted in a human study, as this property of
elevating serum albumin concentrations provides many plausible reasons as to why
chlorella has such a broad beneficial effect upon a diverse range of disease conditions.
While low serum albumin levels have been
associated with the aging process, they are not caused, per se, by aging. Serum levels albumin can be increased, no matter what your chronological age may be.
The Hygiene Connection
Twelve years of research by an Australian scientist, Kenneth Seaton, has provided convincing evidence that relieving stress from the immune system reduces the
serum load of antibody proteins, thereby causing a natural increase in serum albumin levels as the liver compensates to maintain the 70-75 g protein per liter equilibrium.
Ken's research efforts focused on developing a
new system of personal hygiene that would reduce the immune-activating (and antibody generating) effects of 'autoinoculation'.
The area surrounding the fingernails and fingertips are the most germ-infested part of the
body. No matter how meticulously or often you wash your hands and scrub your fingernails, the commercially-available bar
and liquid soaps; even those - described as antibacterial or antimicrobial are just not effective at
reducing the germ population in this critical area.
This problem is not confined to consumer products either. The 'surgical scrub' procedure used by surgeons prior to performing operations has also proven to be
ineffective, as has the 'Hydroscrub', a system developed by the US Army that forces an antiseptic solution under the fingernails at 200 lbs/sq. in!
Disease-causing microbes possess very ingenious methods of defending
their territory. They are able to attach themselves to the skin by forming chemical and electrical bonds that are not broken by repeated scrubbing or
high pressure washing.
EVERYONE self-infects themselves on a
regular basis when they touch their eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Each of these sub-concious actions is capable of allowing a 'critical infecting dose' of microorganisms to enter the
warm and moist environment of the body
where they continue to propagate at accelerated rates, causing the infection that provokes an immune response, thereby causing an increase in antibody-globulin proteins, and a
corresponding decrease in serum albumin concentrations.
To combat this problem of albumin-depleting self-inoculation, Ken developed a soap formulation that is effective at greatly reducing the microbial population in the
fingernail/fingertip area, (without destroying the 'beneficial' micro-flora or altering the critical balance of natural oils found on the skin), along with a facial-dip solution to cleanse the front nasal passages, sinuses and
eyes of 'intrinsic' infectious microorganisms.
Having refined these formulations and tested their effectiveness among thousands of people, the results speak for themselves. In one of his studies a group of 27 volunteers
(age range from 11 to 72) who used these formulations daily were able to raise their mean albumin levels from 44 g/L to 47.25 g/L over a period of a number of months. This group includes a 72-year old gentleman whose albumin
level increased
from a critically low 34 g/L to an astonishing 52 g/L!
It is reasonable to conclude therefore, that the 'Hi-Tech Hygiene System', when used as a part of a daily hygiene regimen is an effective means
for reducing immune hyperactivity and thereby raising and maintaining higher concentrations of serum albumin and a more desirable albumin/globulin ratio.
This simple but highly effective means of alleviating stress from
the immune system and thereby raising your serum albumin level is described in detail in Ken's book; "Breaking The Devil's Circle". To order a copy ($9.95 + $2.50 S + H) call Clean Break! at 1-206-481-2883. Clean
Break! also distributes the complete range of 'Hi-Tech Hygiene System' products. If you mention that you're a Nature's Balance customer, you can order the introductory kit which includes four tubs of soap, the facial and sinus
cleansing solutions and a copy of Ken's book for just $40.00 plus shipping.
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