Are you in the Holiday Eating Mode?

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Shaking myself out of the holiday eating mode!

It’s such struggle to get out of the holiday mode. This mode has a persistent voice telling me I’m hungry, even if I had just eaten a meal that could sustain a few fugitives for a week. 

And if I’m not hungry, it tells me that I’m at least feeling peckish. It’s just a transitional phase, I try to convince myself while reaching for the next snack, which is making me feel even more miserable because … I cannot stop snacking. Of course it will disappear like the last few coins in my purse once I’m back to my daily routine. Besides, snacking does help to provide the energy for maximal performance, doesn’t it?

Feeling “untogether” and bloated most of the time, I seek the advice of friends, I read numerous articles in magazines, do “research” on the internet, and even consult my dated Psychology textbooks to refresh my knowledge on “eating disorders (☺)”, but the solution eludes me. Successfully, I might add.

At last I venture on to the scale, and the reading shocks me right out of eating mode into FIGHTING mode. Suddenly I know what to do about this horrible syndrome. I grab the latest Aloe Ferox information sheet and decide on a plan of action, a “mixed grill” of products that will restore my holiday-abused body to its former glory. I know I need something to

•  supplement the deficiencies in my body,

•  detox me, and

•  make me feel energetic.

This is my apparent choice of products:

Fabulous Fibre Bitter (tablets or capsules) is my first line of defence. It is made of dried Aloe ferox bitter sap and powdered whole-leaf aloe which contains a vast amount of nutrients and medicinal properties that support the general well being of the body. It also eliminates toxins in the body, keeps your tummy regular and has a beneficial effect on arthritis and high blood pressure.

Slim & Trim capsules contain 3 special herbs that complement each other to help with weight control and weight-loss. These herb extracts are scientifically proven to promote weight-loss (high-five, sister!), suppress appetite, balance blood sugar levels, enhance fat burning and improve energy levels. Clinical tests have proven that when these capsules are used in conjunction with 10 minutes’ light to medium exercise (such as vigorous walking) per day, it may lead to a weight loss of 500 g per week.

Body Basics contains a number of ingredients that are vital for our wellbeing. Choline acts as a fat solvent (now you have my attention!) and is vital for the manufacturing of brain hormones and cell membranes. Vitamin B2 & B12 help convert sugar into energy, and magnesium & vitamin B6 work in combination to act as a spark plug to convert sugar into energy.

Catcher is the one I carry permanently in my handbag alongside my lipstick, because I use it ONLY (with a large glass of water) when I indulge in unhealthy trans fats. (In other words, I swallow it about half an hour before eating chips fried in oil) Trans fat is formed when polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as sunflower, canola and peanuts are chemically treated (hydrogenated) to solidify or to increase shelf life. Food prepared in these fats is more fattening and unhealthy than food prepared in saturated fat such as butter and olive oil. Do remember, however, that Catcher absorbs not only the “bad” dietary fat in the body, but ALL fat and oil (yes, the omega oils, too).

If the Whole-leaf Aloe Juice bottle was a little less bulky I would have carried it in the front pocket of my handbag, because this is the product that invigorates me like nothing else. When life deals me a lemon, or when I feel the day might as well end before it has begun (or even when I feel under the weather) I drink large sips right out of the bottle. Fortunately one cannot OD on the combined action of the more than 130 medicinal agents in this miracle juice, for the body takes out of it only what it needs. Who said you cannot drink your aloe juice AND drive?

And now I am one informed person and ready for action! I choose to be teachable and to take the old Spanish adage seriously: Habits (especially eating habits) start out as cobwebs and end up as shackles. I also choose not to shove food into my mouth like a baby does. And food shall not comfort or console me. Otherwise I might as well look at myself in one of those funny mirrors that distort your body and face to look fat and even deformed.

 No, I’d rather dine at a nicely-set table (even if I’m eating alone), chew my food slowly, ponder on what I’m eating … and keep my eyes fixed on the row of Aloe Ferox containers in front of me!!

How safe is Aloe Ferox Bitters when used for constipation?

How safe is Aloe ferox bitters when used for

constipation?

Constipation is not a disease, but the inefficient functioning of

a biological process. Research on constipation have shown

that Aloe ferox bitters is an effective laxative for acute

constipation and that the bitters does not present any safety

risks for short- or long-term use in this regard.

However, research for one bowel condition should never simply be extended

for self-treatment of other bowel conditions. For example, chronic constipation

may be a sign of an underlying disorder, which should be identified and treated

as such. It may also be a sign of a low-fibre diet or even a high-fibre diet but

with insufficient water intake ̶ both these can be corrected by lifestyle changes

and does not require any dietary supplements for a long-term solution.

Individuals with bowel diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease or

diverticulitis are not advised to use bitter supplements or laxatives since these

increase symptoms of the disease. Long-term use of Aloe ferox extracts to selftreat

diseases is counter indicated, since safety of any product for a specific

condition should be tested for that condition and cannot simply be assumed

from safety reports for other conditions.

Liver health & Aloe ferox

The LIVER is one of our vital organs without which we cannot survive. Since the

liver supports almost every organ in the body, its malfunctioning is severely

debilitating.

In various scientific studies on damaged livers, researchers found a significant

improvement in liver health after treatment with Aloe ferox bitters. Also, those

treated with bitters had much lower damage to their livers than control groups

after other treatments that are known to affect the liver.

This is great news to those who suffer from liver problems as well as those who

have to take medicines that might have adverse effects on the liver. Dose: take

1/4 - 1/2 tablet of Fabulous Fibre Bitter (or a small bitter crystal) every day to

assist in the health of your liver.

Interesting facts about stained colons

Research reports of the 80’s and 90’s questioned the use of

anthraquinones (found in aloe bitters) as a potential risk of

colon cancer because these substances stain the colon.

What does the latest research say?

From studies done between 2000 and 2013 it was shown

that colon staining could be ascribed to many different reasons and that it

cannot be linked to cancer or the risk thereof. Some interesting facts from

these studies:

• Colon staining is due to a natural intestinal pigment (lipofuscin) that

deposits in the colon lining and is not due to the brown pigment found in

bitters.

• Lipofuscin only deposits on normal colon linings and not on growths.

Therefore, during a colonoscopy polyps, glands and other growths

appear “bright” against a stained colon. This actually helps to see lumps!

• The use of bitters does indeed cause staining of the colon. Staining

occurs within 4 months of continuous use and disappears within 12-15

months after discontinuation.

• Study participants, who used bitters for a long period, were compared to

one another to determine if long-term use can be linked to cancerous

growths. Interestingly, healthy patients used bitters on average for about

2 years longer than sick patients – with no indication of cancerous

growths!

• Inflammatory bowel disease causes colon staining – even if

anthraquinones were never used before.

• Many patients with colon growths (benign or malignant) have never used

any laxatives – neither bitters nor others. Also, many of these patients

show no signs of stained colons.

• Undesirable colorectal growths are strongly linked to gender, age and

smoking. These are more predominant in males and the incidence also

increases with aging and with smoking habits.

A Testimonial from one of our customers:

A few years ago I purchased some Aloe Ferox Gel & Bitter Crystals from a vendor at an African Street Fair.  

I was born with a physical deficiency that caused lifelong constipation. As a child I was always sick with fevers because my body was not eliminating properly. I've tried so many things to remedy this condition, from avoiding constipating foods, eating high fiber diets, whole grains, psyllium & flax seeds, to drinking more water, prunes / juices, probiotics, various herbs like senna, triphala, teas, both natural and OTC laxatives, prescription medicines, detox cleanses, enemas, colonics, massage, castor oil internally and external packs, special yogic exercises, etc...

Some were effective temporarily but eventually the condition would return. Some were very expensive, messy or inconvenient. Others caused tremendous pain, cramping, bloating, gas or diarrhea. And sadly, most of these solutions left me even more constipated after I stopped using them, promoting dependence or reducing natural peristalsis as lazy bowel syndrome after using them long term.

This vendor explained how the bitter crystals worked, and I thought being natural it was worth a try. I followed the instructions taking a tiny dose before bed with water, and by morning I was regular with no pain, bloating or cramping, and the results for me were almost miraculous. It was hard to believe such a tiny dosage could have such a powerful balancing effect with no negative side effects.

Aloe Ferox Bitter Crystals are the only product I use now when constipated. I've never experienced any negative side effects from them. The product lasts a very long time so the cost of use is minimal compared to other products/ treatments I've tried, with no mess or inconvenience, They are easy to travel with and something I would not want to be without. It is the only product I have found that works well for me.

The Aloe Ferox skin gel also was almost as miraculous in healing sunburns overnight. I love being in the sun but don't like to use sunscreen because most contain unhealthy ingredients and block natural vitamin D production. This gel helps heal and prevent my skin from that leathery look I used to get after heavy sun exposure. Another wonderful product I would not want to travel without!

Source:

Aloe Ferox Newsletter Oct/Nov 2013 and Testimonial from our customer MS

Staining - Intestinal and Skin

Our exteriors aren’t the only stain-able parts. We can also stain on the inside. In fact, one often hears about intestinal staining. What is the truth about intestinal staining and is it dangerous or is it not? What do the educated people say about this?

Pigmentation is the discolouration of the skin, showing as dark (hyperpigmentation) or light
(hypopigmentation) skin patches. Primary causes are genetic factors, skin disorders, adverse reactions from medicines, sun damage, hormonal factors and pigment deposition.

Melanocytes are skin cells that produce pigments (melanin) responsible for skin color The coloring reaction is triggered by a specific enzyme. If too energetic, the enzyme may enlarge melanocytes and/or increase their number, which in turn, cause their darkening. When the enzyme functions poorly, no melanin is formed and normal skin color is lost.

A freckle is a darkened melanocyte, whereas a lentigo is a flat layer of melanocytes grouped together.
Those small flat dark-brown spots on your skin are called simplex lentigines, whereas the larger,
patchy-looking sun/liver spots are called solar lentigines. A mole is a multi-layer clogging of
melanocytes and those white confetti-like spots are called iIdiopathic gutatte hypomelanosis, a form of hypopigmentation.

Many pigmentation conditions are caused by melanocyte changes, but some may be due to
deposition of non-melanin pigments in the tissue. For example, dark under-eye circles and
discoloration from chemotherapy and anti-malaria medicines result from pigment deposition, either
from poorly circulated blood or specific medicinal molecules.

Is it possible to reverse pigmentation?

Treating pigmentation may be impossible, unfeasible or require medical invasion, especially when due to genetic factors, skin disorders or medicinal effects. However, some hyperpigmentation disorders are home-treatable by topical products that contain depigmentation actives.

Optimal actives concentrate on the cause of pigmentation: either normalize over-active enzymes or
“dissolve” deposited pigments. It is important that the selected actives should only “de-colorise” overcolored areas.

An active that simply bleaches out skin is hazardous, may lead to color loss in normal skin and skin irritations. Many “skin whitening” products contain these hazardous actives.

Pigment deposition in the tissue may be treated by actives that mimic the body’s way of dealing

with bruises. 

When bruised, small blood vessels rupture and spill blood into the tissue. Iron molecules in the spilled blood lend the familiar blue color to the bruised skin. “Clean-up” enzymes are  subsequently released, which gradually degrade the spilled molecules until they completely disappear. Color changes (blue, violet-green, brown, yellow, and then normal tone) reveal this degradation process.

Reversal of pigmentation is very slow as de-pigmentation requires dedicated treatment over a period of 6-12 months.

Hormonal patches and sun/liver spots may be treated with Energizing Serum, SpotLess Crème and Moisture 4Him. These products contain botanical active to reverse hyperpigmentation in a safe and natural manner..

Energizing Serum and SpotLess Crème contain comparable concentrations of depigmentation actives and as a result are equally potent. However, Energizing Serum is part of the anti-aging skin range and as such, also contains actives to revitalize/energise an aging skin.

SpotLess Crème is better suitable to be used for depigmentation of younger skin (e.g. for hormonal discolouration), whereas Energizing Serum is more suitable to be used for depigmentation of a mature skin (e.g. sun/liver spots). 

 

Since the serum is a more expensive product, individuals with mature skin might find it economical to use SpotLess Crème (rather than the serum) for spots on the hands.

Men and women suffer equally from sun/liver spots. These spots are often quite evident on the head surface of balding men. 

Moisture 4Him offers depigmentation and hence improvement of the appearance, to male consumers.

Eye Cream contains botanical actives to stimulate capillary circulation and clean up non-melanin pigments in under-eye dark areas.

Aloe bitters: internal staining?

Melanosis coli is the condition of having a stained colon. The dark-brown color of
the aloe bitters is due to the chemical anthraquinone, an important chemical in medicines that treat certain cancers, malaria, Alzheimer’s and constipation.

Prolonged use or abuse of anthraquinone leads to a stained colon ─ long been considered a 

harmless condition. However, in recent years researchers became worried about a possible link between a stained colon and colorectal cancer because individuals with stained colons appear to have many more polyps in their colons than those without the condition.

However, subsequent medical studies revealed that colon polyps do not undergo pigmentation,
whereas other colon skin does. Hence, the polyps in a stained colon are very easy to 

detect – looking like little light spots against the stained colon background. 

In a normal-colored colon, the color of the colon and polyps are the same and their detection is more difficult, especially the small ones.

Hence, there was found to be no connection between the number of polyps and anthraquinone.
Anthraquinone does not form polyps. HOWEVER: it was found that individuals who regularly misuse or abuse laxatives have more colon polyps than those with regular (natural) bowel movements.

Laxatives: use or abuse?

Laxative abuse may be classified into four groups: (1) as part of an eating disorder(e.g. anorexia); (2) as crutch to “stay regular”; (3) to enforce fast weight loss (e.g.weightlifters); (4) to inflict diarrhoea in order to “cleanse the system”.

Laxatives (natural or synthetic) are intended to alleviate an acute health problem. When used
chronically, it becomes an abuse. Abuse may lead to many other problems such as an increased risk of colon cancer, electrolytic and acid/base imbalances, tiredness, bloatedness, fast weight gain

when discontinued and increased long term constipation.

Normal bowel movements result from a combination of water and fibre (from fruits and dietary
roughage). Those with insufficient fruit, whole foods or water intake are likely to suffer from chronic
constipation.

Chronic use of laxatives “unlearns” the body to perform natural bowel movements and require ever increasing doses to “stay regular”. Sometimes it is necessary to “get the body going”, but thereafter the diet should be adjusted in order to avoid laxative dependence.

Fabulous Fibre Bitter should not be used as chronic laxative. One tablet/capsule a day suffices to impart the health benefits of the aloe bitters without forcing bowel movement. A larger dose (2-3
capsules/tablets) is only advised for an acute problem. If constipation persists, one should see a
physician.

Products to promote health:

Fabulous Fibre Bitter contains anthraquinone. Besides the medical benefits mentioned, it also has many other benefits, including improvement of various skin conditions, joint stiffness, inflammation and pains.

Small quantities of bitters (taken over a period of at least 2-6 months) contribute to the improvement of these conditions.

Fabulous Fibre Regular is a fibre-filled capsule that supplements one’s daily need for fibre. One capsule a day adds sufficient fibre to a diet without being a laxative stimulant. Higher doses have purgative effects. Drink sufficient water when using this supplement.

Whole-leaf Aloe Juice is an excellent supplement for general intestinal health. The dosage for health maintenance is only 15-75 mL per day.

Larger doses are beneficial for immune system boosting, e.g. at the start of colds and flu. Due to the fibre content of the Aloe ferox plant, very large doses might also have a purgative effect.

Doctor’s opinion: Certain physicians advise their patients to refrain from aloe bitters. Doctors are intelligent, professionally trained individuals who do not base their advice on senseless, unsubstantiated reasons and usually have good reasons for their opinions. 

If you do not agree with a doctor’s advice, get a second opinion, but be very careful of playing doctor to your customers as you may endanger their lives.

Stay Healthy, Reduce Stress in your life and be Happy!









Reference - Aloe Ferox Newsletter, Dr. Elsabe Cloete Aloe Ferox Africa