Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring form of organic sulphur. Sulphur, along with carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen, is one of the five basic elements composing the human body. sulphur is an important building block of nails, skin, hair and other tissues.

MSM has been heavily marketed lately. As you would expect, many claims are made about the benefits of MSM. MSM is claimed to:

Reduce stress.
Relieve constipation.
Detoxify and energize the body.
Improve blood circulation.
Strengthen capillary walls.
Keep skin and nails healthy.
Maintain the body’s pH balance.
Speed wound healing.
Reduce or halt hair loss.
Reduce muscle cramps.
Help heal Candida.
Heal varicose veins.
Balance hormones.
Aid nutrient absorption.
Relieve migraines and headaches.

MSM research

The evidence is mostly anecdotal, but research shows some benefits. Studies in rats found that MSM delayed the onset of chemically induced cancers. Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who took MSM had significantly reduced pain and improved physical functioning. A throat spray containing MSM was shown to be useful for alleviating snoring.

Sulphur

In living organisms, sulphur is found mainly in organic molecules. Humans obtain it by absorbing the sulphur-containing amino acids methionine, cysteine, and cystine. Consumption of adequate protein should provide enough sulphur, and although sulphur is an essential dietary mineral, little mention of recommended intake is made. Since Americans consume way more protein than they need, sulphur deficiency is very unlikely. So it would seem that consumption of Methylsulfonylmethane is unnecessary.

Nevertheless, MSM may be a useful addition to the diet of some people. Scientific studies have shown MSM to be safe for human and animal use. Even at large dosage levels, there are no known significant adverse effects or drug interactions. Mr Cabbage Head suggests the use of Applied Kinesiology to determine if you really need MSM before you part with your money. Note that vitamin C must be taken with MSM.

References:

Blum JM, Blum RI. The effect of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the control of snoring. Integrative Medicine 2004;3(6)24-30.

Hixson O. Acute intragastric toxicity (LD-50). Dimethyl sulfone (methylsulfonylmethane, MSM). Laboratory of Vitamin Technology, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, August 21, 1958.

Hucker HB et al. Studies on the absorption, excretion and metabolism of dimethylsulfoxide in man. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 155:309-317, 1967.

Jacob S, Lawrence RM, Zucker M. The Miracle of MSM: The Natural Solution for Pain. New York: Penguin-Putnam, 1999.

Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, Buratovich N, Waters RF. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006;14(3):286–94.

Klandorf H and others. Dimethyl sulfoxide modulation of diabetes onset in NOD mice. Diabetes 38:194-197, 1989.

Spallholz J, Boylan M, Driskell A. Nutrition: Chemistry and Biology, 2nd Edition. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, 1999.

You will note in the Mr Cabbage Head Diet that salt is not allowed. This refers to normal table salt which is just a chemical, sodium chloride. Eating this unnatural salt can contribute to fluid imbalance, cellulite, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, Kidney and gall bladder stones. Processed food often contains salt as well; this is another reason to avoid processed food.

What is Himalayan Crystal Salt?

Himalayan Crystal Salt comes from a time when the planet Earth was a pristine ecosystem. Millions of years ago, a primordial sea was evaporated by the sun, leaving absolutely pristine crystalline salt. Millions of years of pressure forced this salt into a crystalline form. This crystal salt is buried deep in the Himalayas. Himalayan Crystal Salt is 250 million years old and is probably the only source of all trace elements necessary for optimum human health.

In ancient times, Himalayan Crystal Salt was also called “king salt” because it was reserved for Royalty. The common citizens only got rock salt.

“Salt is born of the purest of parents: the sun and the sea.” Pythagoras (580 BC - 500 BC)

Benefits of Himalayan Crystal Salt

Himalayan Crystal Salt is a source of all the 84 elements found in the body.
Regulating the water content throughout the body.
Promoting a healthy pH balance in body cells, particularly brain cells.
Promoting blood sugar health.
Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells.
Improves nutrient absorption through the intestinal tract.
Supporting respiratory health.
Promoting sinus health.
Prevention of muscle cramps.
Promoting bone strength.
Regulating sleep.
Supporting libido.
Promoting vascular health.
Regulation of blood pressure.

How much Himalayan Crystal Salt should we eat?

The easiest method is to prepare Sole, a saturated solution of Himalayan Crystal Salt. Put some Himalayan Crystal Salt crystals in a glass of pure water. Always have some undissolved crystals to give a saturated solution. Consume 5mL of this solution each morning with plenty of water.

So, instead of suppressing symptoms with drugs, why not give the body what it needs - all 84 elements needed for human health. Of course, we need more than these elements for sustenance.

References:

Hendel B., Ferreira P. Water and Salt, The Essence of Life. 2003

Rose hips develop on wild roses as the flowers drop off. The rose hip, also called the rose haw, is the fruit of the rose. Rose hips were called “the food of the gods” by the ancient Greeks and regarded as beneficial for a number of health reasons.

Rose hips are available as an oil and as a powder. The powder makes a healthy additional to a smoothie. Rose hip seed oil can be used on the skin and is found in some skin creams. The Rosa Canina species is commonly used as a source of rose hips.

Rose hips contain vitamins A, C, D and E, flavonoids and iron. Rose hips are particularly high in vitamin C, with about 200 mg per 10 g of dried rose hips, making it one of the richest plant sources of vitamin C.

Benefits of rose hips

Research shows that rose hips reduce pain and improve general wellbeing in patients with osteoarthritis.

Rose hip tea is thought to be a natural cold remedy that soothes coughs and flushes out toxins from the kidneys and urinary tract.

Rose hip seed oil is claimed to soften the skin, build collagen and reduce sun damage that causes fine lines and wrinkles.

Rose hips and spirulina

Mr Cabbage Head suggests this potent start to the day. Mix 10g of powdered spirulina and 10g of rose hip powder with water or soy milk. It doesn’t taste that good, but it is a powerful start to the day. This is a quick way to start the day if you are in a hurry. Have a piece of fruit afterwards to change your taste.

References:

Christensen R et al., Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? – a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2008.

Kharazmi A., Rein E., Winther K. A herbal remedy, Hyben Vital (stand. powder of a subspecies of Rosa canina fruits), reduces pain and improves general wellbeing in patients with osteoarthritis–a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial. Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology. 2004

Agronomists place this ancient cereal grass as being cultivated as early as 7000 BC and was been eaten by Roman gladiators for strength and stamina.

Barley grass contains many of the vitamins, minerals and proteins necessary for the human diet. It contains 18 amino acids, beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamins E, B1, B2, B3 and B6, and B12. There are useful quantities of minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, manganese and zinc. Best of all, this goodness is easily absorbed since barley grass is a plant not a chemically derived supplement.

There are no known side effects attributed to barley grass; actually the side effects of barley grass are fantastic.

Barley grass benefits

The main appeal of barley grass is as a source of easily assimilated nutrients. Take barley grass 30 mnutes or more before a meal for maximum absorption.

Barley grass is a rich source of chlorophyll and live enzymes including the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD).

A Chinese study showed that barley grass was beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Barley grass contain two kinds of fiber–some that dissolves in water (known as beta-glucan) and some that does not dissolve. Both types of barley fiber may help to lower cholesterol.

Barley grass’ high mineral content helps alkalinize the body and promotes an ideal pH, it contains the buffer minerals sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium which help the body manage its pH. Buffer minerals neutralize acidic materials and can help people maintain a healthy balance between acidity and alkalinity. Our cells cannot adequately function if the pH is not in a narrow range. Most processed foods along with red meat, coffee and pretty much everything in the typical American diet acidify the pH of the body. Barley grass can help rectify this situation, but obviously overall diet is very important.

Research has shown that when barley grass juice is added to injured cells, the cells’ DNA repairs itself rapidly. This may contribute to preventing the changes that often lead to cancer and rapid aging.

There are un-substantiated claims that barley grass is effective for the following conditions: skin diseases, hepatitis, asthma, anemia, diabetes, arthritis, obesity and even cancer.

Sources of barley grass

Barley grass can be made fresh, but for most people it is convenient to purchase barley grass powder. No doubt the quality of commercial barley grass will vary. Mr Cabbage Head does not recommend specifc products, but suggests avoiding those products where the grass is simply cut, dried and powered. Those products where the barley grass is juiced, cooled and evaporated in an oxygen free environment would be worth investigation.

References:

Hagiwara Y. Green Barley Essence. Keats Publishing Inc 1985.

Kanauchi O, Iwanaga T, Mitsuyama K. 2001. Germinated barley foodstuff feeding. A novel neutraceutical therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis. Digestion. 2001; 63 Suppl 1: 60-7.

Seibold, R. Cereal Grass, Nature’s Greatest Health Gift. New Canaan.Keats Publishing Inc 1991.

YuYM, Chang WC, Chang CT, Hseih CL, Tsai CE. Effects of young barley leaf extract and antioxidative vitamins on LDL oxidation and free radical scavenging activities in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metabolism. 2002;28(2):107-114.

Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) grows in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil and Peru. This relatively unknown fruit has been used by native people for many years. Recently camu camu has been exported to other countries with Japan being a major consumer.

The extraordinarily high vitamin C content of camu camu is of great interest. The fresh fruit can contain up to 3% vitamin C by weight. The fruit is also an extremely rich source of anthocyanins, with a particularly high level of cyanidin-3-glucoside. Compared to oranges, camu camu fruit provides 30 times more vitamin C and 10 times more iron. Camu camu is also a significant source of phosphorus and potassium.

Camu camu powder

Whilst more expensive than synthetic vitamin C powder, camu camu powder not only contains natural vitamin C but many of the minerals needed to aid in vitamin C absorption. Camu camu is a key ingredient in the The Mr Cabbage Head Power Smoothie.

Harvesting of camu camu

Wild harvesting of camu camu has intensified. Whilst it is nice to eat wild harvested fruit, there is a potential environmental impact. Camu camu grows well in flooded areas and the fruit is eaten by fish. Fish populations have declined in extensively harvested areas. The good news is that camu camu is easily cultivated and tolerates a wide range of conditions provided it is supplied with plenty of water.

References:

Justi, K. C., et al. Nutritional composition and vitamin C stability in stored camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) pulp. Arch. Latinoam. Nutr. 2000 Dec; 50(4):405-8.

Zanatta, C. F., et al. Determination of anthocyanins from camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) by HPLC-PDA, HPLC-MS, and NMR. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2005 Nov 30; 53(24):9531-5.

Try this healthy smoothie recipe for an afternoon pickup.

Smoothie recipe

soy milk.
2 teaspoons (10 mL) of maca powder.
1 teaspoon (5mL) of camu camu powder.
2 teaspoons (10 mL) of blackstrap molasses.
1 small banana.

Just put the ingredients in the blender and press the button. Vary the quantity of soy milk to your liking. Make sure sure you use a good quality soy milk without canola oil.

The quantity of maca can be increased; it is a vegetable afterall. See Mr Cabbage Head’s article on maca.

Maca is a vegetable grown at high altitude in South America known to improve libido. Camu camu is a fruit grown in South America which is very high in vitamin C. Both are highly nutritious and readily available in powder form. Mr Cabbage Head purchases his maca and camu camu by the kilogram; this is the most economical method. A number of community based co-operatives in South America will ship these herbs and other sustainably grown products to you.

The aloe vera plant has long, spiked leaves, which are thick-skinned and contain a clear gel-like substance. It is used today in cosmetics, skin creams, burn gels and sun screen creams. The juice of the aloe vera plant may be consumed internally and is rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Mr Cabbage Head would like to present his own personal diet for you to try. This is not a short term fix; this is a daily routine to use for the rest of your life. The daily routine can be varied, but make sure the rules at the end are not broken. This page will be updated from time to time.

Morning wake up

Himalayan Crystal Salt washed down with lots of water.

You can purchase Himalayan Crystal Salt as large stones. Place these stones in a glass jar and fill with pure water. Always keep as a saturated solution by adding more stones if they all dissolve. Add 1 teaspoon (5mL) of this solution to a glass of water each morning. This has many minerals including trace elements not found elsewhere. This is the only form of salt that should be consumed.

Before breakfast

1 fish oil capsule.
5g Spirulina.
10g Rose Hip powder
25 mL Aloe Vera juice.
A calcium & magnesium supplement.
A vitamin D supplement.

Breakfast

1 or 2 pieces of fruit.
Optionally, have some high quality cereal with soy milk

For hungry people try the The Mr Cabbage Head Power Breakfast.

Lunch

Your choice, but the rules below must be followed. A salad without dressing would be a good choice or maybe a wholemeal salad sandwich. Raw, unsalted nuts and sunflower seeds are great.

Afternoon snack

1 or 2 pieces of fruit.
Nuts may be eaten, but raw and un-salted.
For hungry people add the The Mr Cabbage Head Smoothie.

Evening meal

A small portion of meat (about 200g). Mostly this should be fish. Chicken is allowed. Red meat can be consumed once a week, but avoid beef. Lots of raw or lightly steamed vegetables. Always include a large portion of leafy, green vegetables.

Drinks during the day

Try not to drink for 30 minutes before and after a meal.
Drinks lots of water in between meals.
Freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juice is good.
For hot beverages, green tea or herbal tea is best.

The rules of the Mr Cabbage Head Diet

Foods you must eat all the time

fresh fruit and vegetables
nuts
seeds
fish

These items may be consumed in moderation

alcoholic drinks
tea and coffee (if you must - only 1 cup a day)
red meat
fresh eggs
whole grain based food
honey

These items must be avoided

salt
sugar
soft drinks
bottled fruit juice
wheat
potatoes
all diary
beef
margarine
canola oil
refined grains
pasta, pizza and potato chips are not allowed.

Supplements

Check out some products used by Mr Cabbage Head.

Warning

If you have a serious illness, seek professional advice before making a radical change to your diet. It is your responsibility to ensure your daily intake of all essential nutrients is adequate.

Try this breakfast which is high in nutrients and fibre.

Ingredients:

10g ground flax seeds.
10g ground pumpkin seeds
10g ground sunflower seeds
10g chopped walnuts
10g chopped cashew nuts
10g psyllium husks

The flax seeds can be purchased ground, make sure they are refrigerated at the point of purchase. The pumpkin and sunflower seeds can be ground in a coffee grinder. Everything must be raw and unsalted.

Mix the ingredients in a bowl and add soy milk or water to make a consistency to your liking. This is a filling meal, so allow time to sit down and eat in a relaxed manner.

The quantities can be varied according to your needs. If you are still hungry afterwards then you need to increase the quantities.

Is there a natural cure for cancer? Mr CabbageHead examines claims regarding five possible natural cures for cancer.

Pau d’arco (Tabebuia impetiginosa)

Pau d’arco is a legendary herb from the Amazon rainforest that is claimed to be a proven cancer killer, especially of childhood leukemia. It has been used in South America for an enormous number of illnesses since the time of the Incas.

Andreas Moritz, a respected healer, tells this story of a 5 year-old girl who suffered from leukemia, and who was about to die. Her parents, in desperation, took her to the clinic of a Doctor Ruiz, who treated the girl with pau d’arco tea. In just 6 days, she had improved noticeably. Six weeks later, the little girl walked out of the clinic completely cured.

Graviola (Annona muricata and Annona montana)

Graviola sounds like some kind of Italian food, but it’s another claimed cancer-killer from the Amazon rainforest. Graviola is 10,000 times more toxic to colon cancer cells than chemotherapy and unlike chemotherapy, graviola has no harmful side effects.

In the early 1990s, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in America began a massive research program to see if they could synthesize the cancer-killing ingredients in graviola and create a synthetic version. Why? Because you can’t patent an herb; you can only patent your own synthetic version of naturally occurring chemicals in the herb. This company tried for seven years, but they couldn’t come up with a chemical isolate of graviola that was effective. However, the evidence they accumulated during those seven years proved beyond a doubt that graviola, the herb, was a miraculous cancer-killer.

Did they let the world know that? No, they didn’t. Instead, the directors of the giant pharmaceutical company swore all its scientists to secrecy, and destroyed all the information they’d learned. It would still be a secret if one man, the only one with a conscience, hadn’t broken the story to the media — most of whom ignored it.

Tayuya (Cayaponia tayuya)

Novel antioxidant chemicals have been discovered in tayuya and named cayaponosides (24 distinct cayaponosides have been discovered thus far). These phytochemicals have been documented to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and, more recently, to have anticancerous potential. The National Cancer Center Research Institute in Tokyo, Japan reported that five cayaponosides in tayuya exhibited significant anti-tumor-promoter activity in screening tests.

Tayuya is used in Brazil and Peru as a blood cleanser and general tonic.

Barbed skullcap (Scutellaria barbata)

Tea made from barbed skullcap has been used for a variety of purposes, including the treatment of cervical, glandular, liver, lung, and rectal cancer. Brian Wong, PhD, of Union College in Lincoln, Neb., tried giving it to a strain of mice bred to develop prostate cancer. Normally, these mice quickly develop fatal prostate tumors. Those who received barbed skullcap had much slower tumor growth.

By attacking the tumor’s blood supply, scutellaria may help to starve tumors to death by blocking their supply of oxygen and nutrients. Conventional treatments target tumor cells but also the normal cells. This causes a lot of side effects. Scutellaria is so selective for just tumor vessels it does not attack normal blood vessels.

“Researchers have been looking for something like this for years and we think that our findings look very promising — our research shows this should destroy all types of cancer” (Camber 2004).

Zeolite

Zeolite is a unique volcanic mineral that is claimed to be highly effective at destroying cancer cells. Results have been so impressive, anyone fighting cancer or wishing to prevent cancer should be using zeolite. It comes in two basic forms, a liquid zeolite, and a powdered micronized zeolite.

Part of what zeolite does is to work on a couple of the basic issues in cancer. It is a powerful detoxifier, and improves the alkalinity of your body. More importantly though, zeolite is a cancer killer as it can, when pulled into cancer cells, activate a gene which tells the cancer cell to die, or literally destroy the nucleus of cancerous cells.

Zeolite works exceptionally well at fighting cancer as an informal 14 month study several years ago showed. 65 people with mostly stage 4 cancer, who had a prognosis of about 2 months to live, were given a type of liquid zeolite. At the end of the study, 51 people were cancer free and six more were alive, but still fighting cancer. This is a 78% cure rate for terminal cancer, and an incredible 89% survival rate.

Note, that a variety of zeolite based products are available. Some have been proven effective, others are ineffective.

Zeolite has a more day to day use - as a very effective cleanser. Mr CabbageHead has found zeolite to be very effective in removing toxins from the body.

Warning

If you have a serious illness, seek professional advice. There may be a natural cure for cancer, but we must wait for proven scientific test results.

References:

Anon. Anti-tumor-promoter activity of natural substances and related compounds. Annual Report 1995. National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan, 1996.

Betancur-Galvis, L., et al. Antitumor and antiviral activity of Colombian medicinal plant extracts. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 1999; 94(4): 531-35.

Camber, Rebecca. Mint hope for cancer cure. Manchester News. July 5, 2004.

Ducki S, et al. Isolation of trans 4-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)but-3-en-2-one from Scutellaria barbata. Planta Medica, 1996, 62, 185.

Gonzales, G. F., et al. Medicinal plants from Peru: a review of plants as potential agents against cancer. Anticancer Agents Med, Chem. 2006 Sep; 6(5) :429-44.

Hadfield JA, Ducki S, Hirst N, McGown AT. Tubulin and microtubules as targets for anticancer drugs. Prog Cell Cycle Res. 2003;5:309-25. Review.

Sun, X., et al. Selective induction of necrotic cell death in cancer cells by beta-lapachone through activation of DNA damage response pathway. Cell Cycle. 2006 Sep; 5(17): 2029-35.