|
Why Larry Olivier frightens me
12 August 2005
Tomorrow I face one of the worst ordeals known to man.
No, I'm not visiting the mother-in-law... or watching a video of the recent Lions rugby tour.
It's much worse than that.
You see, Lara has arranged a 'family day out'... to the dentist.
Can you imagine anything so twisted?
She says it's the only way she can get me to step inside one of those places, and I guess she's right.
Truth is, I've avoided going to the dentist for years. It's something about the sound of those drills... and that leather chair, like something out of Star Wars.
It's stupid, I know, because your mouth can be hiding all sorts of problems - other than bad teeth...
------------------------------
The great mercury debate
------------------------------
For years now, there's been a theory that fillings make you ill.
The mercury contained in amalgam fillings can 'leak' with every bite of
food you take, leading to neurological disorders, chronic fatigue, and arthritis.
Or so the argument goes,
Of course, the big companies that provide amalgam to dentists say this is nonsense.
According to them, the mercury is 'sealed-in' once the amalgam has hardened. It's impossible, they claim, for the mercury to seep out and find its way into your bloodstream.
Well, they would, wouldn't they?
Imagine being in the chair as the dentist leaned over and said, 'There might be a little poisoning with this filling, Sir, but rest assured, it's at no extra charge.'
So once again, it's up to us to find out the truth for ourselves.
And I have to say, the evidence is pretty damning. For example, this quote from the Natural Resources Defence Council:
'Recent studies have shown that silver-coloured dental fillings, which contain as much as 50 percent mercury by weight, can release mercury vapour - particularly when they are new or when the wearer chews gum or food.'
|
Oh dear. And it gets worse...
'Once inhaled, this vapour can be toxic to the lungs, kidneys, and brain - particularly of infants and children. Pregnant women, or women planning to become pregnant within the next few months, should avoid
getting mercury fillings.'
Some other studies back this up, linking mercury in fillings to a whole array of kidney, heart and brain problems.
Although many prominent doctors claim these studies are 'inconclusive', I've seen enough to make me doubt the safety of amalgam fillings.
So from now on, if I need a filling, I'm going to use less-toxic alternatives, such as non-metallic quartz-based fillings or porcelain inlays.
If there is any mercury still lurking in my body, I have one last resource... one I always turn to in times of crisis.
I have something to eat.
Foods strong in Magnesium, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folic acid can all help blitz mercury from the system.
Also try alpha lipoic acid, a naturally occurring compound found (in very small amounts) in potatoes. It's also available over-the-counter as a food supplement.
Another little tip...
Drink green tea. Apparently it's a marvel when it comes to dental problems.
-----------------------------------------------------
3 natural ways to stop yourself climbing the wall!
-----------------------------------------------------
I have to admit, this trip to the dentist is making me nervous.
It's been this way since I snuck into the cinema as a teen to watch 'Marathon Man' with my mates. You might have seen it?
Anyway, Olivier always made me nervous after that, even if he played the good guy.
These days I'm older, wiser, and have a few tricks up my sleeve. Namely, these natural nerve-calming herbs:
- 'Melissa Officinalis' soothes your general nervous system calms your stomach and lowers blood pressure. Its active ingredients include...volatile oil, tannins, flavinoids, tocopherols and choline.
- Lavender is a famous tonic for nerves. Put a little lavender oil in your bath, or add a few drops to a |
bowl of boiling water, drape a towel over your head, and breathe deeply.
- Passion Flower helps to calm and soothe, reducing high blood pressure and nervous tremors.
As you know, I'm a fan of old fashioned natural remedies like these. Even more since I bought my juicer, I've been experimenting with all kinds of healing fruits.
Which was why I was overjoyed to get a tip from a reader.
-----------------------------------------------------
Hey Noni Noni - is this the world's most powerful juice?
-----------------------------------------------------
Earlier this month, a Good Life reader (another Ray!) wrote into me with a little tip off about an amazing fruit juice that was taking New Zealand by storm.
Well, thanks very much for the tip off, Ray, because I think we're onto something here.
Noni is over 2,000 years old, and for centuries Polynesians have used it to help beat disease and strengthen their health.
But not in the usual way.
You see, noni acts with other foods you eat, and increases their effectiveness! In short, it helps you get the most out of your diet.
Not that the noni fruit is useless on it's own. It's packed with organic acids, xeronine, several vitamins (such as beta- carotene, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine) as well as minerals, potassium, iron and
calcium.
It's also said to be particularly good against infections, pain, and diabetes.
I'm going to try and get my hands on some noni juice to see if it's as good as some people say.
Even if it's only half as good, I'll be delighted.
In the meantime, I will try and relax and forget about the dentist. It can't be worse than a trapped nerve in your back.
Can it?
Yours, as ever,
Ray Collins
The Good Life Letter.
|
|
|
|
